Sunday hike

Two photos from earlier today, and what a glorious day we had. A bit of a cold start with 0°C (32°F) though the bright sun made it a very pleasant hike.

Trees are rapidly losing their leaves now, like the beeches here on the left.

SIgn

Our hike last Sunday went for a small part through a privately-owned nature area called 'Heidehof', near the village of Eext.

There was a sign at the entrance, next to the gate, telling us that nature came first and that the area was only open for pedestrians from sunrise to sunset. Many things weren't allowed, like motor vehicles, mopeds, bicycles, horses, dogs, camping, open fire, smoking, littering, making noise, and taking anything home from the area. Well, quite a lot but all very reasonable don't you think?

I'm linking to signs, signs.

Autumn

A photo from last Sunday - hiking in and around the woods of Odoorn.

Anloo

Coming from Gasteren we had this view towards the village of Anloo, in the province of Drenthe.

Sunday hike

Both images are from our hike today in the Drentsche Aa National Park. Starting in the village of Gasteren we explored a variable landscape with forests, fields of grass, streams..

..and heath with sandy paths.

Cornfield

There are lots of cornfields in our region. Due to a lack of rain the past months many fields don't look as green as this one though. Photo taken last Sunday during our hike, near the village of Aalden in the province of Drenthe.

Patvinsuo National Park

The 15 km hike we made in Patvinsuo National Park was called Suomumkierto. The path followed more or less the shores of Suomunjärvi (lake Suomun); we're in the Finnish North Karelia region here.

Quiet and sandy lake shores.

Bridges and some small islands brought us to the other side.

Rokua National Park

About 90 km southeast of Oulu is Rokua National Park, one of the oldest national parks in Finland. We enjoyed a day hike by following the signs of the Keisarinkierros trail. Along the route were many beautiful clear-watered lakes..

..and thick carpets of moss-like lichen on both sides of the path.

Wooden planks guide through wet areas, though the grounds were mainly dry now.

Countryside

Continuing with our hike from last Sunday with a view on farmer's grounds near Zweeloo. The path we followed is on the right.

Lane

We enjoyed hiking in De Hoge Veluwe National Park this weekend.

Baalkjepad

Wide views like these are typical for the province of Groningen. Our hiking route went over this cycling path.

On our way to the village of Oldenzijl we followed the "Baalkjepad".

Gate

Walking in the Hondsrug area near the villages of Odoorn and Exloo. Signs explain that it's free to walk here though people are warned to keep a safe distance to cattle.

New Year's hike

We joined the annual 'New Year's Hike' from the village of Exloo today. With +1°C we enjoyed the organised route of 15 km. There was a short break for coffee/tea at the Exloo ice rink, which was all prepared for freezing weather but so far no ice yet.

This small building is the skating club canteen. It was crowded inside with hikers so we had our coffee outside before continuing the route.

Ruiten Aa

It seems a long time ago since we had a sunny day like today -never mind the cold eastern wind ;)
So, we put on our hiking boots and went for a hike in the rural Westerwolde region. The road we are on here is the Zevenmeersveenweg, and the stream we are crossing is called Ruiten Aa.

Winter hike

A photo taken during our hike along Lake Paterswolde, earlier this week.

Sunday hike

 Enjoying a walk in the Molenveld nature area earlier today.

Don´t you love the sound of rustling leaves when you walk on a path like this?

Dike and Dollard

Our hike yesterday went partly along the Dollard, a bay in the Wadden Sea which forms the border between the (northern part of the) Netherlands and Germany. Most of it dries at low tide, which was obviously the case when we were there.

Lots of sheep on the dike and at some points we had to zigzag between their droppings ;)

I'm linking to All Seasons.

Sunday hike

After a few rainy days, today was sunny and nice. We made a 14 km walk in the rural Westerwolde region, which is nearby our home town. The path went partly along the German border, the corn fields and windmills across the water are in Germany.

And the road we were on here was called ´Groentje´, meaning ´freshman´ or ´rookie´. A funny name for a road :)

Skywatch Friday

Looking back at the road we came from, on foot from the villages of Haren to Onnen on a perfect Sunday morning last month. I'm linking to Skywatch Friday.

Between corn fields

Walking between corn fields near the village of Haren, just south of Groningen city, earlier this month on a Sunday.