Trail info - (Last update: 25-10-2022- by Bert Kelchtermns)
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Our trail system is probably one of the best you can find in the European off-snow circuit. On active military terrain of 2186 hectares, we are able to set up multiple trails without any compromise. No short turns. No houses or public roads. No little nasty poles to dive away for. A clear overview of what lies ahead. A mix of sandy ground and forest roads. Not one inch of asfalt ... Sounds great, doesn't it?
The "Pampa Range", as the military site is usually called, has a long tradition as a firing range for fighter jets. Entering some parts of the range is strictly forbidden, due to debris and possibly unexploded (practice) munition lying about. Since it is not open to the public, nature has been able to stay unchanged during the last decades.
The trail is marked with
- RED MARKERS (Turn markers) *preferably of round shape
Red Markers shall be used at all intersections and crossings involving turns.
The markers shall be placed about 20 meters ahead of the point in question at the same side of the trail as to which the teams shall turn.
- BLUE MARKERS (Straight ahead or Confirmation markers, *preferably of square shape
Blue markers are used to indicate the correct trail after a crossing or turn.
The sign is placed about 20 meters ahead of the intersection.
Blue markers may be placed on either side of the trail.
Blue markers used to indicate the correct trail after a crossing or turn shall be placed about 20 m beyond, and should be visible when approaching, the point in question.
- YELLOW MARKERS (Caution!).
Yellow markers may be placed on either side of the trail. Yellow markers indicate
portions of the trail, where slow, cautious passage is recommended, e.g. deep water, really sharp turns, icy spots, road crossings, etc...
Yellow markers are placed about 20 meters ahead of the caution area.
Further more...
The end of the Starting Chute shall be indicated by markers on both sides of the trail.
A marker is placed at the start of the "Finish chute" to indicate the beginning of the no-right-of-way zone, showing the distance to finish line, e.g. 800m.
Trail description
The start is just outside the domain "The Plas" there we run trough the fields entering the military domain. Sprint trails on the left, the Tour trails on the right.
The trail is more than wide enough at any time.
For the Tour Teams it's going steady for a couple of km, on a pretty firm stretch along a tree line then you can decide to turn left and take the beatiful 17km trail or continue to the 19, or 21,5 km trail (and even do an extra loops there). Just before the secondary tower we return to the old gravel road, passing the model fighter landing strip and finally we pass at the main flight control tower towards the last stretch to finally join the "Sprint trails" for the final sprint home.
Don't be fooled, the "Tour Trail" is not for "sunday mushers".
It is an extremely beautiful, but though trail, for which you'd be better well prepared...
Check out some very nice trail pictures here!
10th Edition trail pictures
The Sprint trails:
3,7 km (Junior sprint trail)
7,4 km sprint trail
The Tour Trails:
For the 17km trail follow the red route,
for the 19km trail, follow the orange route,
for the 21,5km trail follow the Yellow route,
for those who do not follow the 17km route;
you can do extra loops for extra kilometers
which you can decide on the fly:-)
The L1 loop is 4,3Km extra, the L2 loop adds 7Km extra.
T