Making Space, Step by Step: The Walk of Grief on Terschelling

I did not come to Terschelling to leave something behind. My loss was too much a part of me for that. I came to take it with me to a place where, for a while, it could be given all the space it needed.

The Walk of Grief is a 75-kilometre pilgrimage through the natural landscapes of Terschelling. The route consists of five stages and takes you through dunes and forests, along the Wadden Sea and across vast beaches. You can walk the trail alone or with someone else, in whatever way and at whatever pace feel right for you.
For me, the journey began in West-Terschelling, at the foot of the Brandaris lighthouse.

Arriving without having to move on straight away

After the ferry crossing, it was only a few minutes’ walk from the harbour to Hotel NAP. My room would be my home base on the island during those days. It was not a place where anything was expected of me, but a peaceful base to which I could return every evening.

The following morning, after breakfast, I walked to the Brandaris. This is where the first stage of the grief trail begins. I was wearing my hiking boots and carrying a light backpack and the walking box provided for the journey. The other things I carried with me could not be seen.

The landscape changes with you

During the first few kilometres, I noticed how comforting it was not to have to talk or explain myself all the time. There was only the rhythm of my footsteps, the wind and the ever-changing landscape.

One moment, I was walking among sheltered trees. Not much later, the island opened up before me, offering views of the dunes, the Wadden Sea or the open sea. Sometimes my thoughts came clearly to the surface. At other times, nothing happened at all. There was room for that too.

The Walk of Grief does not try to resolve grief. It invites you to set out on a journey with it. Loss can take many forms: the absence of a loved one, but also the end of a relationship, the loss of one’s health or vision of the future, or the ending of a stage of life. Along the way, there is no need to put it into words if the words are not there.

Five days, five stages

Each day, I walked a new section of the route. From West-Terschelling to Midsland, then onwards towards Oosterend and the Boschplaat, before making my way back across the island towards the west.

Some sections felt light. At other moments, grief came unexpectedly close. Nature made room for both. The sea asked nothing of me, the beach was in no hurry and the wind paid no attention to the direction my thoughts took.

At the end of each stage, I returned to Hotel NAP. There, I could sit in silence, have something to eat or quietly let the day sink in. Having one place to stay throughout the journey gave me a sense of stability: my bag could remain there, and I only had to carry what I needed for that day.

Back at the Brandaris

The fifth stage ended where the journey had begun: in West-Terschelling. When the Brandaris came into view once again, the place felt familiar, yet somehow different.

I had not found an answer to my loss. But I had experienced how grief and beauty can exist side by side. How walking can create space for a memory, a tear, a smile or simply silence.

Back at Hotel NAP, I took off my hiking boots. Outside, life on Brandarisplein continued as usual. Inside, I could remain a little longer with everything the journey had stirred within me.

Hotel NAP is a proud supporter of the Walk of Grief

Hotel NAP is an official partner and sponsor of the Walk of Grief. Through this commitment, we help make this remarkable grief trail possible and warmly welcome walkers with care and respect.

The focus is not on the hotel, but on the meaning of the journey. The Walk of Grief was created to allow people to make space for loss by walking in nature. We feel privileged that this initiative has found a home on Terschelling and are proud to support it.

Those wishing to walk the route can find information about the five stages, the walking box, preparation, transport and optional guidance on the official Walk of Grief website. Take the time to discover what feels right for you.

• Find out more on the official Walk of Grief website
• View information about preparing for the walk and accommodation options
• View the official partners