Noaberpad

The Netherlands is much more varied that we ignorant foreigners can appreciate. As well as the classic canals, dykes, tended fields, windmills and tulips galore, there are woodlands, gentle hill country and quiet farmsteads to the east nearer the German border.

Our friends the Oraniginas walking group of the Netherlands say:

“The Noaberpad trail follows the border between the Netherlands and Germany, walking alternately in the two countries.

The Noaberpad (noaber is - in dialect - the word for neighbour, so it means “the path of the neighbours) is a 415 km/257 m long distance signposted trail - LAW nr.10 - between Nieuweschans (Netherlands) and Kleef (Germany). Between the North Sea and the Rhine river, from north to south. The entire trail covers about 20 stages.

Old fortified villages and constructions (Oudeschans, Bourtange), polders, forgotten peat moorlands farms, woodlands, forests, brook valleys......

The trail runs through some of the most sparsely populated areas of both countries. Already for centuries people lived here as real neighbours, border or no border, despite (political) barriers. The dialects on both sides of the border are almost identical. They never used passports, as is common nowadays in continental Europe.

Getting there: a flight to Amsterdam airport, and/or the train to Groningen (about 2,5 hrs. 200 km.) and from Groningen the local train to Nieuweschans (45 min.). The trail starts at the Nieuweschans railway station. There is a train running from  the finish in Kleef/Emmerik to Amsterdam airport:1 hour,45 min.140 km./90 miles.

Maps: Nivon, the Dutch Organization of Nature friends, offers a guide book with detailed topographic maps, the accommodation on trail and background information about the area. In Dutch. Scale: 1:25.000. 192 pages. About €19,95 in book- or map shops; or on internet (web shop).ISBN9789491142109.

Accommodation: see the guide book. Camping sites, B&B’s, hotels, at the farm, private pensions, whatever you want (to pay).

For more information about the trail, the landscapes, the culture, the photos and some paintings of Vincent van Gogh, please visit:
https://www.oranginas.nl/en/hiking-trail/hiking-trails-netherlands”

Thank you to the Oranginas for the information, and Hans Plas in particular. Also for the lovely photos. And to Marjin Bosma for the map.

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