Outdoor Activities for Students in Wageningen
By Samir Mammadov
Are you tired of being indoors and wanting to go out? Do you want to explore new hobbies or simply chill, especially if you are staying around? There are lots of opportunities for students to do outdoor activities around the campus as well as in different parts of Wageningen. Here are some of the activities you can try the moment you want to leave the house or classroom.
Sport Activities
As we are approaching the peak of the summer, days are becoming sunnier and warmer (more reason to be out). If your house does not have an air conditioner (which is very typical for student houses in the Netherlands), then you might want to be somewhere else. Usually, during the lunch break or after school me, my classmates and I do various sports at de Bongerd or near the Campus. The most popular activity is volleyball. You can either book a court at de Bongerd through their app (once you’re registered) or take a ball with you, play it in an open space between the Atlas and Forum buildings. I bring my own ball almost every day, and there are always people joining for a quick play. Just make sure to apply sunscreen and hydrate yourself in between to avoid sunstroke.
My new finding in terms of gamified sports is the survival run section near de Bongerd. It’s a playground with different obstacles such as ropes, nets, walls and swinging objects. You can challenge your endurance and strengths by doing monkey hanging, climbing and jumping on different obstacles. Not only does it train your muscles, but it’s also fun to try different things and set a goal of overcoming a challenge. I try to do it a few times a week when I have a free half an hour or less in between my classes and work.
Spots to unwind and de-stress
If you feel like escaping the academic atmosphere of WUR, then I can suggest you check out a few places in Wageningen city. One of the favourite summer spots is the “beach” area by the Rhine river. It’s a public area located just 15–20 minutes from the university campus. It’s a relatively small area with big trees that provide shade, which is great for tanning, swimming, playing and reading lovers. Overall, vibes are cosy and welcoming; if we feel like having a little dip in the river after class, this would be our go-to place!
If you are into nature, try spots which are outside of Wageningen but within reasonable cycling distances. Botanical gardens such as Belmonte Arboretum and Oostereng Arboretum are worth visiting if you want to explore species of flora and fauna as well as relax while surrounded by nature. If you want some kind of elevation, which is a rare occurrence in the Netherlands, then stopover at Rhenen. It’s a small town with a café and a view of the Rhine from 40 meters above.
One of the most productive and exploratory ways of sightseeing, as well as enjoying nature, is through cycling. Within proximity, you can cycle in any direction and end up somewhere with nature conservation areas, parks and gardens. We already have a blog about cycling routes that can lead you to such places – check it out here.
No spots? Get creative!
Sometimes, we don’t feel like cycling, or the weather is too hot or rainy to perform heavy activities. What can you do instead? Enjoy simple things! While cycling on the way back from the campus, I saw a group of friends circling around the bonfire with a BBQ. This inspired me to make one of my own by gathering my classmates to my place with a terrace (Note: always check whether you are allowed to grill in your area). You can also grab a coffee from and go to the nearest park to play board games, Frisbee or unwind. Parks are always the most accessible spots, and Wageningen has enough to offer!
Got more outdoor activity requests or suggestions? Drop them in the comments below!
Cheers,
Samir
