The end of the Migration birds trail is getting closer; just a few more sections and I’ll be in Enschede. From now on, it’s a long journey by public transport: 2.5 hours or more from Rotterdam. So short sections are no longer an option; otherwise, I’ll spend longer on the train than I do hiking. Today’s section is from Brummen to Vorden, in the Netherlands.
I hiked this section of the Old Dutch Waterline trail in two parts. I hiked the first part, from Gorinchem to Noordeloos, in early February 2026. I hiked the second part, from Noordeloos to Schoonhoven, two months later.
During my summer holiday (in 2025), it is time for the next part of the Migration birds trail from Loenen to Brummen in the Netherlands. Along the way, I will pass through the town of Eerbeek and various estates, such as Huis te Eerbeek, Leusveld and Engelenburg.
At last, I’m setting off on a new long-distance hiking trail. The last trail I completed was the Southern Waterline trail, and now it’s the turn of the Old Dutch Waterline trail! The trail guide has been sitting on my shelf for months. Today I’m hiking the section from Loevestein Castle to Gorinchem, but in the opposite direction.
Today, I am hiking the section of the Migration birds trail between Hoenderloo and Loenen in the Netherlands. I have fond memories of holidays in Hoenderloo. Many of the places I pass are still recognisable from the past.
This part of the Migration birds trail goes almost entirely through the Dutch National Park of Hoge Veluwe. I stopped just outside Otterlo on the previous hike. From there, I first walk a short distance through the Zanding nature reserve. Then I continue my journey through the beautiful and diverse National Park. I end the hike in Hoenderloo.
The second completed long-distance hiking trail is now a reality: the Southern Waterline trail in the Netherlands! I started this trail in Bergen op Zoom in January 2022 and completed the final part in Grave on 30 December 2024. So it took me almost three years to complete it. This blog is a recap of this remarkable hiking trail.
The time has come: the last hike on the Southern Waterline trail! At least, nothing is what it seems this time. This stretch goes from Reek to Grave (in the Netherlands), and I actually expect the hike to be quite long and boring. It is certainly long (21 km is long for me), but it is by no means boring. There is something for everyone: expansive views over the polder and the Maas river, but you also pass through the woods and heathlands of the Rustven nature reserve and the Reekse Heide and Bossen. And you can soak up some culture in the charming fortified town of Grave.
It’s time for the next-to-last part of the Southern Waterline trail in the Netherlands. It’s easier for me to get to Reek by public transport than to Megen. That’s why I’m doing this part of the trail in the opposite direction. It’s a long stretch of about 20 km. In the previous part, my final destination was also in Megen. I hope to see a bit more of this fortified town this time.
Today I am hiking the section of the Migration birds trail between Ede and Otterlo in the Netherlands. The trail is about 20 kilometres with no possibility of stopping earlier. Fortunately, the trail passes through interesting nature reserves such as Ginkelse Heide and Planken Wambuis, so the length will not be a punishment.
