HORSBORNZAND

Horsbornzand, located east of Rottumeroog, is likely the most remote place in the Netherlands. It is a sandbank in the deep Ems estuary. Towering sea vessels sometimes pass by very close. With good visibility, you can see the contours of Rottumeroog`s beacon to the west. To the east, you`ll see the tall buildings along the boulevard of the German Wadden Island Borkum. The area around Horsbornzand is protected. It is not allowed to enter this unique area between May 15th and September 1st. For seals, this is the time to give birth to their young and nurse them.

With the Vrije Wadlopers, three different hikes to Horsbornzand are possible for well-trained hikers: Horsbornzand North, Southeast, and West. The West route stays just outside the closed area and can be walked throughout the season. The North and Southeast variants can only be walked before May 15th and after September 1st.

For these hikes, we depart from the Emmaweg 64a, 9981 VC Uithuizen (Emmapolder). The Emmaweg is reached by taking the Lauwersweg from Uithuizen. Upon arrival, we cross the dike onto the mudflats. For the first hour of the hike, you`ll traverse muddy terrain. After about an hour, you`ll reach the Southeast Lauwers. We cross this channel and gradually head northeast.

In the North variant, after about two hours and 10 kilometers, you`ll arrive at Horsbornzand, a beautiful, elongated sandbank full of shells. Along the way and on the sandbank, you can enjoy the vastness of the mudflats. If the tide is right and we`re up for it, you can walk a bit further to the northernmost part of accessible Netherlands. You`ll return to the dike in approximately the same route.

The Southeast variant is even more unique. Here, you arrive south of the Horsbornzand sandbank and walk through alternately, less-traveled Wadden area. Both variants are about 20 kilometers. A brisk pace must be maintained on this over five-hour-long hike.

If you prefer to walk a bit less distance and at a slower pace, the Horsbornzand West route is an option. Here, you`ll walk a long loop totaling about 16 kilometers through varied terrain.

Details
•    Departure point: Emmaweg 64a, 9981 VC Uithuizen (Emmapolder).
•    Distance: 16 km (West) or 20 km (N or SE)
•    Duration: 5 – 5½ hours
•    Difficulty: Strenuous
•    Price per person: €25.00