Het Ziltepad

The trail currently runs roughly 15–25 km per stage between the villages of Stroe and Losdorp. Along the way, you’ll trace old shorelines, walk atop dikes and grassy paths, and visit beautifully preserved churches that double as small museums and even overnight shelters. This is a pilgrimage with a twist – there’s no single religious requirement or crowded shrine, just an invitation to slow down and reflect along the most serene landscapes and quiet farm lands.

Thanks to a detailed guide by local author Fokko Bosker, the route is easy to follow and each village church has its doors “already opened for you” with information guides and a warm welcome. In short, Het Ziltepad offers a perfect mix of nature, culture and heritage that shows off the rugged charm of the Dutch North.

Trail highlights

Almost each stage features ancient churches on a terp (mound) rising above the flat landscape. You’ll climb the 9 m-high terp of Hegebeintum, the highest in the Netherlands​. Next to that, the Wadden Sea Scenery is truly spectacular. Experience the wild beauty of the Wadden coast, a UNESCO World Heritage zone. The trail leads past salt marshes, mudflat polders and an 8-mile (13 km) seawall that shields the Lauwersmeer inland lagoon from the North Sea. ​

Year-round you’ll spot abundant birdlife from crooning cuckoos and warblers in the reeds​ to flocks of migratory geese overhead. Lucky hikers might even glimpse wild Konik horses grazing the salt flats or seals along the distant shore​.

Het Ziltepad is as much a cultural journey as a nature walk. It’s an unique pilgrim experience: perhaps the most memorable highlight is the chance to spend the night in the churches themselves. The route trail links communities in what was once the “rugged edge of the North”, and locals are proud to share their heritage. You’ll get into many conversations with friendly locals, curious about travelers on this new Salty Path. Truly amazing!

The best time of the year to hike Het Ziltepad is from May till October. The trail can be enjoyed in all seasons, but each has its considerations. Generally, the best time to tackle Het Ziltepad is late spring through early autumn, when the weather is mild, days are longer, and services are fully open. Spring transforms the coastal plains with fresh greenery and blooms. In April and May, fields of bright yellow rapeseed flowers light up the landscape​ while summer is peak season for Het Ziltepad. This far north, summers are usually moderate – think comfortable temperatures and a mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. It’s the driest period on average, though occasional rain showers happen.

Early autumn, particularly September and early October, can rival spring as the top time to hike. The summer warmth may extend into September, but the crowds thin out. The landscape takes on golden tones as crops are harvested and the first leaves turn color. It’s also a fantastic time for bird watching – thousands of migratory birds gather in the Wadden wetlands in autumn, so bring binoculars if that interests you. Weather is usually still mild in September, cooling down in October. Rain becomes a bit more frequent, and storms off the North Sea can happen, so be prepared with rain gear.

The Wadden coast is known for its windy, changeable weather. Even in summer, a morning can be cool and breezy and an afternoon suddenly warm or vice versa. Pack layers that you can easily add or remove: a windproof jacket is essential (the open polders offer little shelter from gusts), and a lightweight rain jacket or poncho will come in handy when North Sea drizzle sweeps in. In cooler months, gloves and a warm hat are smart to have, as wind chill can make it feel colder than the thermometer reads. Conversely, on sunny summer days the sun is strong and shade is scarce – sunscreen, a cap, and sunglasses are important to protect against UV and glare.

The route is described as easy to follow thanks to dedicated information. But at this early stage the trail is not waymarked. Some portions may coincide with existing local trails or other networks (knooppunten), but you shouldn’t rely on finding “Ziltepad” signs everywhere yet. Therefore, bring navigation tools: downloading the official GPX files for each stage is recommended​.

One special consideration on Het Ziltepad is the presence of protected nature reserves along the way. Parts of the trail border bird nesting areas and delicate salt marsh ecosystems. And of course, leave no trace.