THE EVENT
An important
message
An important
message
As a keen walker, you of course already know that walking is good for digestion. And with all those litres of water you’ll be swigging along the way, you’ll have to take a few toilet breaks on a long day of walking. But how should you plan those stops? And where exactly can you go for a toilet stop?
"During the four days of walking, we use as many as 400 chemical toilets."
Gé Bäumler
Deparment Head Facility Management & Logistics
First of all, here are a few tips on eating and drinking:
- In order to avoid getting dehydrated and cramp, it is wise to drink enough fluids, but not too much. Especially not right before you set off. It’s better to bring a bottle and take small sips as you go. There are plenty of points along the route where you can fill up your bottle.
- Eat enough fibre, but don’t overdo it at breakfast before you start early in the morning. Again, eat smaller portions spread out over the day.
- Before you go to De Wedren, take some time to go to the toilet. This will often make you feel much more comfortable!
Use the toilets
The 4Days Marches will ensure there are plenty of toilet facilities along the route. You will find a toilet at roughly every 5 kilometres. Gé Bäumler, the Head of Facility Services: ‘For the four marching days, we set up as many as 400 chemical toilets every day. That’s quite an operation, as we also have to remove and clean them at the end of every day. Additionally, there are three large toilet units at each rest area, as well as trough urinals for men. All these toilet facilities are staffed and maintained, but we also ask walkers to leave the toilet as they would expect to find it. It’s a matter of being considerate of the next user.’ Where exactly the toilets are is shown on our website and in the app.
There are also numerous public places where you can use the toilet. Are you familiar with the Hoge Nood (Nature Calls) app? This app contains a clear map showing where to find a public toilet. And there will undoubtedly be spectators along the route who would be willing to let a walker use their loo.
Our most important message: plan your toilet stops ahead as much as possible and be considerate of local residents and nature. Whatever you do, don’t answer nature’s call in public. This may even get you a fine when you do it in a built-up area, not to mention the nuisance you’d be causing.