It is of course not new that you can walk a lot on Texel, but many people do not know that there is also a route that has been set out especially for children. In the forest ‘In de Dennen’ you can find this walking route and walk without a map. You just have to follow the gnomes that show you the way.
There are various walking routes on Texel, but one of them has been set out especially for children. This path is called the Sommeltjespad.
The starting point
The starting point of this walking route can be found in the middle of the island at the Pelikaanweg, south of the village ‘De Koog’. The forest in which the route is located is called ?? In de Dennen ??. The car can be parked on the side of the road and there is a possibility for cyclists to attach the bicycle to a wooden pole.
In the Pines
Most of this forest was planted in the 20th century. In the beginning, mainly pines were planted, hence the name. Nowadays the forest mainly has a recreational function, but in the past the forest was intended for wood production. Staatsbosbeheer has made the forest a bit more varied by also planting deciduous trees. She has also created a number of open spaces.
Facts about ?? In the Dennen ??
- There are several places where you can park
- Routes are plotted with colored posts
- There are two public toilets
- You will find picnic tables in several places
Route
The Sommeltjespad is a varied walking route of 1.5 kilometers. To find your way, look for posts in the shape of gnomes. The tip of the hat is the route to be followed. The entire route is easily accessible with a pram. Partly because of this short distance and the childish / playful design, it is a very suitable route for walking with small children. Think of an age of up to eight years. Along the way there are several places to rest and / or play.
Sommeltje
At the start of the route is a sign explaining what Sommeltjes are. They are a kind of goblins who have lived near the Waal. This is an area in the middle of Texel. Here an old burial mound is said to have been located on which the Sommeltjes danced at night. You hardly ever see Sommeltjes because they can make themselves invisible and very small. Sommels come to life at night, but petrify during the day when the sun rises. Next to the path you can find a number of fossilized Sommeltje and mushrooms in various places.
Discoveries while hiking
There is a lot to see while walking. Every few meters you can search on the ground or in the trees. There is a bird’s nest in the trees with a mirror above it. This way you can look into the nest from the ground. You will also encounter wooden animals along the way, such as a mouse and a rabbit. The last part of the route is a piece of forest where the trees have eyes.
Contribution to the Sommeltjespad
Everyone can contribute to the Sommeltjespad. Everywhere along the route you will find painted stones with names of children (some deceased) or with something else beautiful painted on it. You can find these in all kinds of places: behind trees, under bushes, in a hole or placed in figures. Besides stones, there are also objects hanging in the branches of trees. Think of crocheted works or spider webs made of chestnuts, wool and skewers.
The Sommeltjespad is regularly visited by curious walkers. Even if you walk the route again after a few days you will see changes and you can find new treasures in different places ?? because the path is frequently visited. So it remains varied for children to come here.