Forget the sweltering heat of the Waal Bridge; in 2026, we’ll prove that the true walking paradise lies in the north. Following an overwhelmingly successful first edition, the Groningen 4-Day Walk is back, bigger, more varied and more ambitious than ever. From 4 to 7 August 2026, no fewer than 2,345 participants will spend four days walking through the city and the surrounding countryside.
Why you’ll want to walk the Groningen 4-Day in 2026:
What sets the Groningen 4-Day Walk apart starts right at the finish line. Whereas in other cities you sometimes arrive far outside the city centre, here you walk straight into the beating heart of the city. The Grote Markt is the setting for the daily finish every day, with live music, packed terraces and a welcome that gives you goosebumps. And with born-and-bred Groninger Bert Visscher as ambassador, you know it won’t be a dull affair; Groningen’s humour and down-to-earth attitude make the kilometres a lot easier.
Finishing with tired legs? The student masseurs are on hand to loosen up your calves, so you can start the next day feeling refreshed. Along the way, you’ll discover the ‘real’ Groningen: from the sweeping mounds and hidden gems of the Eems Delta to the city’s green outskirts – places you’d never reach by car. And you’ll be walking with a purpose: in 2026, Maggie’s Centre Groningen is once again the official charity, meaning your sporting achievement directly contributes to a warm home for people affected by cancer.
New in 2026: more choice for more walkers
This year there are two notable innovations. Firstly, there is a new 30-kilometre route, for those who want more than 20 km but find the 40 km a bridge too far. Secondly, the organisers are introducing hybrid participation: anyone who cannot or does not wish to walk for four consecutive days can opt for 1, 2 or 3 days at an adjusted rate. This makes the event accessible to those who do not have four days off, to companies wishing to participate as a team, and to walkers for whom four full days is not (yet) physically feasible. Hybrid participants will not receive an official medal, but they will receive a special walking pin as a reward for their achievement.
The routes: a different direction every day
Four days, four directions, four unique routes: all starting from the Grote Markt. On Tuesday 4 August, you’ll kick off the week with the Scholten route heading west. On Wednesday 5 August, the ‘Nothing beats Groningen’ route heads north. On Thursday 6 August, you’ll turn eastwards on the ‘Battle for the East’ route, and on Friday 7 August, you’ll finish with the Bommen Berend route heading south. Special places such as the Onlanden, Winsum, Roegwold and Appelbergen can only be explored on the 40 km route.
How it works in practice
Before you put on your walking shoes, there is a mandatory registration day on Monday 3 August at the Grote Markt, from 12:00 to 18:00 (subject to change; final times will be confirmed by email). You check in with your QR code and valid ID, and receive your race number and checkpoint card for the first day on the spot.
The start and finish for all four days are at the Start & Finish arch on the Grote Markt. You will receive your personal start time in advance by email: the 40 km runners set off first, every 15 minutes between 05:30 and 06:30. The 30 km participants start between 06:30 and 07:30, and the 20 km runners between 07:30 and 09:45. A cut-off time of 17:00 applies to all distances.
The official Groningen 4-Day Walk app is handy to have with you. Using it is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended: the app accurately records your times, saves your results for future editions and lets friends and family see exactly where you are walking via live location, so they can cheer you on from the sidelines at just the right moment.
Ready to go?
Ticket sales are now open. Be quick, because the organisers’ dream of growing to the scale of Nijmegen is really starting to become a reality in 2026. Registration day is Monday 3 August, with the walking days running from Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 August. You can choose between 20, 30 or 40 kilometres per day, starting and finishing at the Grote Markt. Tickets and further information can be found at groningse4daagse.nl.
Tip for visitors
Are you coming from outside the city? Book your accommodation at The Market Hotel or check our hotel page for the best places to stay right on the starting line. Nothing beats being able to kick off your shoes straight after the finish!
Photo: Daniek Snijder
