Skillepaadje, Boeren Route and Waal en Burgerdijk Loop

This is a long, flat island loop through Texel’s “old land” and polders: expect quiet farm lanes, grassy field-edge paths, historic dikes, and big skies with almost constant wind. At around 30 km / 18.6 mi with roughly 0 m / 0 ft of climbing, the challenge is less about elevation and more about distance, exposure, and soft ground after rain.

Because your start point is listed as “near” (missing), the most practical anchor for this combined loop is the Skillepaadje area between Den Burg and Oudeschild—a well-known historic path corridor on Texel. A reliable “nearest known address / landmark” to aim for is Skillepaadje, Den Burg (Texel), Netherlands (near the cluster of listed heritage addresses on Skillepaadje). (monumentenoptexel.nl)

Getting to the start (car + public transport)

• By car: Drive to Den Burg (Texel) and navigate to Skillepaadje (street). Parking is typically easiest on the edges of town or at small pull-ins near connecting rural roads; in peak season, arrive early to avoid full lots and narrow-lane congestion.
• By public transport: Most visitors reach Texel via the Den Helder–Texel ferry, then continue by bus toward Den Burg and nearby villages. From Den Burg, local buses and short walks can put you onto the Skillepaadje corridor and the farm-path network. For stop-level routing on the island (which can change seasonally), plan the final approach in HiiKER and cross-check with local bus directions for “Waal en Burgerdijk / De Waal / Den Burg.” (moovitapp.com)

What the route feels like, section by section

0–6 km / 0–3.7 mi: Skillepaadje and the old Texel landscape You’ll start on the Skillepaadje corridor, a historic route through Texel’s older cultural landscape. This area is known for its long-settled pattern of lanes, drainage lines, and farmsteads—more “lived-in” than the dune side of the island. The walking is easy and level, often on firm path or quiet road, but you’ll notice how quickly wind can add effort even on flat ground.

Skillepaadje itself is widely referenced as a path with deep local history (often tied to older movement routes across the island and water-management landscapes). (routeyou.com)

6–16 km / 3.7–10 mi: Boeren Route (farm paths, gates, and field edges) This middle portion is where the “Boeren Route” character comes through: narrow farm tracks, grassy margins, and occasional gates/stiles. Texel has a network of walking paths across or alongside farmland created in cooperation with local farmers, and these routes can include short “through-the-farmyard” connectors. (delieuw.nl)

What to expect here: - Surface changes: alternating firm track, grass, and sometimes muddy patches in wetter months. - Livestock and working farms: sheep are common on Texel, and you may pass close to grazing areas—keep distance, move calmly, and leave gates as you find them. - Route-finding: signage can be small and occasionally missing or damaged; keep HiiKER handy for confirming junctions when paths braid together. (delieuw.nl)

16–23 km / 10–14.3 mi: Waalenburg and wide-open polder views As you swing toward the polder landscapes near De Waal / Den Burg, the scenery opens up: long sightlines, drainage ditches, and big birdlife potential. Waalenburg is a historic polder landscape dating to the 17th century, and it’s known for its open character and nature value. (visitwadden.nl)

This is a great stretch for spotting: - Meadow and water birds along ditches and wet fields (bring binoculars if you like wildlife). - Wind exposure: there’s often little shelter—plan layers even if the forecast looks mild.

Dikes, water management, and historical context

**23–30