Mudflats hiking in the north of Holland

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From the northern provinces of Friesland, Groningen and Noord-Holland it is possible to make a walking trip to various islands such as Ameland, Schiermonnikoog, Rottumerplaat, Terschelling and Texel. This is an exciting and adventurous way to get acquainted with a beautiful nature area in the north of the Netherlands. If you are lucky, you are suddenly face to face with a group of sunbathing seals on a sandbank.

You enter the mudflats at low tide. During low tides the sandbanks fall dry, which makes it possible to walk on the seabed. You walk through sludge, sandbanks and mussel beds that are partly under water. During the trip it is really a fight with nature. The water can even come to the chest. The difficulty of the tours depends on the purpose of the trip, but especially on the weather conditions. For example, hard north-western wind pushes the water and makes walking very difficult.

This activity is a sport in itself, sometimes you literally wrestle through the mud. You are surrounded by nothing but sea, wind and water and you will need determination. Physically it is heavy work. The entire walk takes around 3 to 5 hours, depending on the chosen tour.

All groups are accompanied by experienced guides who do not underestimate the dangers of the Sea. The qualified guides have followed an intensive training course of at least three years so that they are prepared for all types of weather, with the current, the changing fauna and flora and first aid if something happens.

Best time to mudflats hike

This walk can only take place when the weather is nice. Normally the organization decides 24h in advance if the walk will take place. When the weather is bad, the walk does not happen. So we recommend doing this in summer from June – September. Buried knee-deep in mud you would like it to be warm anyway.