Sand, Heath and Forest Hike: Kootwijkerzand (partly silent walk)

A hike that takes us across the Veluwe, through Kootwijkerzand, the largest sand drift in Western Europe. Expect a mix of sand dunes, open heath-land and forest, a unique and varied landscape that feels different from anywhere else in the Netherlands. And the best part: you don’t even need a compass or a camel to enjoy it. 😉
📍 Distance: ~19 km
⛰️ Terrain: sand dunes, open heathland and forest, ~50 meters elevation (almost flat)
🤫 Partially silent walk: Along the way, we’ll walk some parts in silence (I think about half the hike). During that time there is no talking, so you can really tune in to nature and the moment.

Times & places

• Starting point for the hike: 12:30 @ Parking Radio Kootwijk, address: Radioweg 9, Radio Kootwijk
• Return time to Parking Radio Kootwijk: 17:00-17:30
  This an estimate and may vary depending on our pace, breaks, and weather conditions. Please keep your schedule flexible just in case!
• The location is not well connected by public transport. Apeldoorn Central Station is about 15 minutes by car.
• If you want to ride along from Nijmegen, we have a car with room for 4 people (currently full) that can pick you up from Nijmegen CS Kiss & Ride @ 11:30.
• Let the host know please :-)

Do you have a car and would you be willing to pick up people from Apeldoorn Central or somewhere else? That would be great! Let me know. That way we can increase the number of participants (to max 9 in total). Parking is 7.50/car, which we can split.

Price
Since no-shows have been an issue lately, I’d like to try asking for a payment in advance to cover the costs of parking and fuel if you are joining the car ride from Nijmegen or Apeldoorn. It will be a couple of euros, depending from where you want to join. When you join the event I will send a payment link using Meetup chat.
If costs are ever a reason for you not to join, contact me. We can work something out.

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Enough water
• Maybe a packed lunch and enough snacks, there will not be any places to buy food
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Sunscreen & sunglasses if the weather requires it

Event Policies
⚠️ No-show might result in ban: Marking yourself as "going" takes a spot away from others for limited capacity events like this. If you are marked as going but don't show up, you might be banned from both Explore & More groups.
⚠️ Cancellation: The event will be canceled in case of severe weather conditions (you’ll be notified in advance). You will get a full refund of course.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Participants are responsible for their own safety. Please stay with the group and respect nature at all times.