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Walking is being practiced by people of all age categories. A common motivation to walk is the desire to enjoy nature or architecture, in this case the Grebbelinie with its fortresses, shelters, trenches and waterworks, surrounded by nature. There are the elephant’s paths, unpaved paths and a few paved paths. The walking routes are in general not so suitable for handicapped people given the unpaved structure. Thirteen signalized walking routes are developed and described in the “Walking Guide Grebbeliniepad”1. The thirteen routes are covering the whole former Grebbelinie. Alongside the walking path there are information boards, giving attention to points of interest. Topics on it are the history of the defense line itself with its fortresses and other structures, culture, nature, and water and sluices. The total Grebbelinie path of 81 km is in general situated alongside the canal.
New
nature will develop itself alongside the Grebbelinie and the defence canal. It will
take time, of course. Most walkers don’t harm nature at all and are aware
of pollution.
During the breeding season dogs are not allowed to walk free. Ducks and water birds will leave their nests with eggs, if an unlashed dog shows up.
Question of infrastructure is minimal, as long as tourists are attended on local businesses like small restaurants, etc. The walkers are reaching places where a car or bicycle would never get. Walking alongside the Grebbelinie can be an active and adventurous way of spending a little holiday.
In general you can say that walking is becoming a lifestyle and more and more people are willing to spend their holiday by dwelling on the walking routes, reaching new adventures. Old defence lines are attractive in this way.
Although walkers generally spend less money than the average tourist, there are certainly new possibilities of businesses in a walking area that could benefit. Organizing and selling walking packages is one of those benefits.
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Section 2.3: Recreational Tourism Products | 2.3.2. Cycling |
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