🌰🍂🌳 Forest pancake hike to the Devil's mountain @ Berg&Dal hills 15 k🌳🍂🌰

Important! To sign up, please pay the € 5,- * Meet Up event fee directly (See notifications for tickie).* From 8 November the fee is € 5,95 *

Join us for a scenic hike (-+15 km) that takes us deep into the woods and rolling hills of Berg en Dal, near Nijmegen. This time, we will explore the southeast part of the area!
The hike will take you through majestic forests, meadows, and valleys, passing over 8 distinctive hills on our way to the Devil's Mountain (Duivelsberg). With gentle but steady ascents and descents, this route offers a unique hiking experience in the relatively flat Netherlands, making it perfect for an energizing adventure.

We'll traverse the charming valleys of Hengstdal and Heerlijkheid Beek, with the Filosofendal, known for its overwhelming flora and babbling brook.
After our climb, we will be rewarded with gorgeous views over the Ooijpolder and the Waal River. Soon, we’ll reach the pancake restaurant, where we can indulge ourselves. We will also enjoy the beautiful late autumn colours along the way.
This is a journey back to my childhood, where I used to spend the holidays with my beloved grandparents.

Gathering 10:48 @ NS Nijmegen train station, where we take bus 8, departing 10:57 to Berg en Dal, bus stop Groot Berg en Dal, arriving at 11:23. We start hiking after meeting & greeting.

Berg en Dal Village
The hike starts near the charming village of Berg en Dal, which literally means 'Mountain and Valley.'

The 8 hills
The route goes through a rolling terrain of eight distinctive hills, from the Sterrenberg (90 m) to the Hanenberg (92 m). It has several challenging ascents and descents.

Filosofendal & Bridge of the Wise
The Filosofendal is characterized by its lush flora, thanks to the crystal-clear stream flowing through it. The Bridge of the Wise invites reflection and admiration of the surrounding nature.

Heerlijkeheid Beek
Heerlijkeheid refers to the historical manor of Beek, rich in feudal history tied to noble families. This village lies at the transition from the moraine in the south to the polder in the north. The area is rich in chestnut trees, believed to be a legacy from the Romans, who settled in the region around 50 B.C.

Wylerbergmeer & German border
This serene lake offers expansive views and marks our passage into a different world as we near the German border.

The Devil's mountain (Duivelsberg)
This hill was formed during the last ice age. In medieval times, it served as a strategic defense post, with a castle at the peack. Local folklore adds a sense of mystery, as legends tell of the devil roaming these woods. The breathtaking view at the summit makes the effort worthwhile.

Pancake restaurant De Duivelsberg
After our ascent, we’ll take a well-deserved break at this cozy restaurant nestled in the woods. They offer a variety of delicious traditional Dutch pancakes, both sweet and savoury—a perfect spot to indulge!
https://www.duivelsberg.nl/

Heksendans
We'll also pass through the intriguing Heksendans mudding pool, where local tales speak of witches gathering around fires in ancient times.

'We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there.'
- Pascal Mercier -

Happy to show you around these hills: a beautiful day filled with nature, history, and local flavours in the land of my ancestors!

Notifications:

• Meet up event fee: Eur 5,- (Eur 5,95 from 8-11) to be paid directly when signing up by tickie:
  https://www.ing.nl/payreq/m/?trxid=pG93cSx53iSBViw2mvH3Ig3rMTohLSma
• We walk 4 to 5 km an hour average with some breaks, you should be fit for it and used to walks of -+ 15 km.
• Be aware that the hike will take the whole day, and the ending time is approximate.
• Bring sufficient water, snacks and lunch, although we might stop at a restaurant.
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes and gear with layers and a rain coat.
• Carpe Diem is an amateur activity group, participating is at your own risk.
• The hike might be adapted/shortened in case of bad/rainy weather. Only with extreme bad weather, or a low number of participants, I may postpone or cancel it. Only in this case, you can receive a refund or credit. Please check messages the evening before the event for last-minute updates.
• Please sign up only if you plan to attend and are ready to pay the fee upon registration. If something unexpected arises, kindly update your RSVP as soon as possible. Please note that the event fee is non-refundable and we kindly ask to avoid last-minute cancellations or no-shows.
• Thank you for your understanding and support in helping to maintain the group with a smooth planning and organization.