It feels just like France!
There are two kinds of walks, if you ask me. The first are what I call my "fitness walks". Two or three times a week, I lace up my walking boots to work on my fitness. Headphones on, steady pace, eyes forward. Not particularly exciting, but it gets the job done.
Time to explore
The second kind of walk is something completely different. These are the walks I take to clear my mind. To escape the busy pace of everyday life and immerse myself in nature, history or, even better, a combination of the two. I always bring my camera or phone because I love photographing anything that catches my eye. Unusual plants, ancient trees and, above all, beautiful buildings. A charming chapel, a characterful farmhouse or a castle. I always find myself wondering about the stories behind them.
For one of those walks, I recently chose the route Boukoul: Roman Roads, Medieval Castles and Timeless Nature. The title alone was enough to spark my curiosity.
Plantage Blankwater
The walk starts at Plantage Blankwater, where you'll find plenty of parking for both cars and bicycles. There's also a clearly marked walking junction information board to help you get started. During blueberry season, you can even pick your own blueberries here, a fun and delicious activity. I eat them almost every day. They're often called "brain berries" because they're packed with antioxidants and are believed to support healthy brain function.
Plantage Blankwater has a spacious terrace and a cosy indoor seating area. Naturally, the menu features plenty of treats made with fresh blueberries. Good to know: the entire location is fully accessible and includes two spacious accessible toilets.
The route
The entire walk follows a mix of paved and unpaved paths. At times, it genuinely feels as though you've wandered into the French countryside. Wide open fields, grazing cattle and the occasional horse pasture create that peaceful rural atmosphere so typical of France.
Then there are the barn swallows. They swoop low across the fields and weave effortlessly between the trees, almost as if they're greeting you along the way. In the background, crickets and grasshoppers provide a gentle soundtrack. You can smell the countryside, feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and, before you know it, you've completely forgotten you're still in Hart van Limburg.
The route also takes you past two beautiful castles: Kasteelhoeve Spick Zuidenwijk and Hillenraad Castle. Unfortunately, neither is open to the public, but both can be admired perfectly well from the road. Don't forget your camera or smartphone because these hidden gems are incredibly photogenic. I couldn't resist capturing them from every possible angle. Places like these are rare.
Along the route you'll also come across several roadside crosses. Many are accompanied by a bench where you can sit for a while. Almost all of them have candles, and sometimes they're still burning. I find that incredibly special. It gives these quiet places an extra sense of meaning. Their simplicity makes them beautiful subjects for photography too.
One last thing...
I walked this route on my own. That's something I often do, especially when I'm exploring somewhere new and want to stop regularly to photograph plants or buildings. I also enjoy identifying flowers and plants with the ObsIdentify app or simply photographing them for myself. Walking alone is perfect for that. I do more than enough talking in my day job as a marketer.
This walk easily earns five stars from me ★★★★★. It's peaceful, varied and inspiring. Yes, you'll occasionally pass a car, and you'll meet a few cyclists on the larger roads, but I never found that distracting.
