Tidal walking for beginners
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“The mudflats
you must be able to read”
In the far north of the Netherlands, along the Wadden coast, you can go mudflat hiking. Walking on the bottom of the sea. Perhaps you have never done it before, it seems too heavy or you don't know which shoes you should wear. The experienced mudflat walking guide and photographer Henk Postma will tell you exactly what you need to know before you go mudflat walking for the first time. You will never forget this unique experience.
Reading time: about 5 minutes
“Always do mudflat hiking with trained guides.”
The first thing to consider when you go mudflat hiking is your clothing. Sounds logical right? You don't go onto the mud flats in your flip-flops or boots. Chances are you'll lose them and you don't want to continue barefoot. But for mudflat walking guide Henk Postma, shoes and clothing do not come first. “Tidal flat walking is always done with trained guides,” he emphasizes. “As guides, we undergo an extensive two-year training. And that's not for nothing. The mud flats are very dynamic. That makes it beautiful, but also treacherous. You have to be able to read the mudflats, know when you can safely go where. Because as a guide you are responsible for a group of people.” So the first step is find a certified mudflat walking guide and never just walk onto the mudflats. Certainly not unimportant: with a guide, the experience is also a lot more fun.
What is it that swims here?
The experience is obviously central to mudflat hiking. After all, it is more than just a few hours of walking. Along the way you discover why the Wadden Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking the mudflats you really see how incredibly rich nature is here. At least, if you know where to look. A tidal flat walking guide like Henk Postma explains all about it. “It's fun to know what little crabs are walking on the bottom, what jellyfish are swimming past you or what all those spoonbills are doing at that specific spot. If, as a mudflat walking guide, you take the time to tell people something, it really adds something to the experience.”
Getting to know the most beautiful nature reserve in the Netherlands
According to Henk, the wadden region is valuable in all its facets. But also incredibly vulnerable. This was evident earlier this year, when during a heavy storm the cargo ship MSC Zoe lost hundreds of containers. The result was an immense disaster for the area and if you take a mudflat hike now, you will undoubtedly still encounter the remnants. Henk and his fellow guides therefore encourage visitors to help clean up. So an extra bag (especially not plastic) is wise to bring.
Finally, what you need to consider is your fitness level. Because believe it or not: mudflat hiking is a lot harder than you think. “People often think that walking 10 kilometers of mud flats is the same as walking 10 kilometers on a normal footpath,” Henk laughs.
And you haven't finished reading yet? Via the blog of Expeditie Aardbol read more about this unique experience.
Ontdek het waddengebied - Maak kennis met de Waddenkust én de Waddeneilanden
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Wadden coast
Wadden coast
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Islands
Islands
