Mudflat hiking

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wadlopen is a recreation enjoyed by Frisians, Dutch, Germans, Danes, and others in the Netherlands, northwest Germany and in Denmark. Wadlopers are men and women who, with the aid of a tide table, use a period of low water to walk and wade on the watershed of the mudflats, especially from the Frisian mainland coast to the Frisian islands.

The Wadden Sea, a belt of the North Sea, is well-adapted to this traditional practice. Belts of this shallow sea lie off the mainland of the Netherlands, between Friesland and the Frisian Islands; off the coast of Germany; and off the coast of southwest Jutland in Denmark.

In the Netherlands, wadlopers can walk from the mainland to Terschelling, Ameland, Engelsmanplaat, Schiermonnikoog, Simonszand and Rottumeroog. Other wadlopen routes are known but are not recommended, either because of their inherent danger or for the minimization of ecological disturbance, or both.

In Germany, wadlopers can walk to Norderney, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Minsener-Oldoog.

In Denmark, wadlopers can walk to Mandø, Fanø and Langli.

[edit] Regulation

Wadlopers are only allowed out into the Wadden Sea under the supervision of licensed guides, who will lead walkers onto the organized routes on which they are allowed to traverse the seabed. In the Netherlands, Wadloopcentrum Fryslân in Holwerd is a center for the training of wadlopen guides and the preservation of the sport. Another well known Wadloop centre is in Pieterburen.