Walking barefoot is, at least outdoors, strange to most people. This while walking barefoot is even healthier than with shoes on. In the Barefoot Park in Brunssum you can walk no less than four kilometers barefoot. And that is surprisingly fun and challenging!
Nice and healthy
Walking barefoot through mud, sand or grass first of all brings you closer to nature. If you are not used to it, it is a special sensation. On top of that, it is very healthy for your blood circulation, coordination and digestion. The benefits of walking barefoot show similarities with those of foot reflexology.
Varied course
On your walk along the four-kilometre barefoot path, your feet will get to know different surfaces. You walk
over forest paths and sandy roads. Sometimes cold, sometimes warmed by the sun. Throughout the route you will find containers containing pebbles and pine cones. You will also encounter various obstacles along the way, such as balance beams.
Physical and spiritual challenge
Daredevils can try their hand at the obstacle course across the pond. You make your way to the other side over upright poles in the water, with nothing but a slack rope for support. Quite a challenge, we can tell you! We barely managed to stay dry. Want to avoid the risk of getting soaked? You can also walk around this obstacle course and pond in a large arc.
After this challenge follows a somewhat more philosophical part of the route, as you walk through various lanes with various sayings. Then follow a number of circles and triads, which give food for thought. The next stilt path is then again mainly a physical challenge.
With your feet in the clay
In the mud pool you stand knee-high in the healing mud. A little later, after you have jumped from boulder to boulder on the Obelix path, you can rinse off most of the mud on the water stairs. Finally, you can scrub off the last bits of mud at the foot washing area with a dishwashing brush. If you want, you can pamper your feet at the wellness area or enjoy a snack and drink on the natural terrace.
Practical information
The BloteVoetenPark is located on the edge of the Schutterspark, at the Ganzenpool, where you can park for free.
In April, May, June, September and October the park is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11.00:18.00 to 10.00:18.00. In July and August the park is open every day from XNUMX:XNUMX to XNUMX:XNUMX. The park is closed during the winter months.
The entrance fee for adults is 6,50 euros. Children up to 12 years pay 3,50 euros. (In our experience, children up to three years old are allowed in for free, but that is not explicitly stated on the website. So don't hold us to it!)
There are also various packages for children, adults and special reflection packages.
And finally
As strange as it feels to take off your shoes at first, it is an odd sensation to put them back on later. Walking barefoot becomes surprisingly easy. Don't think that the barefoot path is easy, because it easily takes you one and a half to two hours to walk the 'only' four kilometers. Considerably calorie poorer and a spiritual experience richer, we got into the car tired but satisfied. Read more about it here day trips with Adrem.
