The participants travel through dunes and forests, past dikes and port area and over the beach. Every year the walking direction changes and Saturday is that from West to East. The experienced hikers who walk 80 kilometers, including Federal Minister for Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke, start at 4.30 in the morning on Koningsplein in De Panne. They are expected at the finish at the event beach in Knokke-Heist before 11.30 p.m.
This time there is a 60 -kilometer trip on the program for the first time, with start in Nieuwpoort. The 42 kilometers, with departure in Ostend, is the most popular distance with 3,900 walkers. For the 25 kilometers, the participants in De Haan gather and the 10-kilometer family walk is a loop walk with start and finish in Knokke-Heist.
“The AG Belgian Coast Walk has become a hiking festival,” says Greg Broekmans of Golazo. “With various starting places, a beautiful course and extensive supplies. Walking events are becoming increasingly popular. It is striking that 67 percent of participants are women. We also see a more younger audience for this kind of walking challenges.”