Recreation Board Drenthe wants to build a network of hiking nodes in the municipality of Aa en Hunze next year. Existing walking routes will be connected to each other, which is good for the local economy, according to the Recreation Board.
Many types of walking routes run through Aa and Hunze. Long-distance walks such as the Pieterpad and the Hondsrugpad pass through the municipality, but there are also many different village walks. At the moment they are all still separate from each other, but the Recreation Board will soon tie them together.
The Provincial Executive of Drenthe wants all walking routes in the province to be connected by early 2024. “The aim is for the province of Drenthe to become the cycling province as well as the walking province. Brabant now has that title and that annoys us a bit,” said Luuk Schepers of Recreational Board Drenthe during a meeting of the city council last night.
The Recreation Board only wants to build new footpaths where it is really necessary, so as not to put extra pressure on nature. It is the intention, however, to have routes run along local catering establishments as much as possible, so that walkers can easily get a cup of coffee. An impulse for the local economy, thinks alderman Bas Luinge.
The realization of the network in Aa and Hunze will cost about 250,000 euros. That amount is divided in two by the municipality and the province. In addition, for the construction of new connecting paths, for example, the Recreation Board must first consult with 25 land owners in the municipality.
For the maintenance of the hiking trails, the Recreation Board looks for volunteers from the villages. Twice a year they have to check the routes and clean the route signs.