In the Netherlands, I always loved walking in the “forest” with Lies and the dogs, but now I can’t help but laugh a little. Looking back, they weren’t real forests at all—more like large parks made to look like forests. Here in Burgundy, you find yourself in forests where you can truly get lost. We experienced that firsthand recently—and honestly, it’s not all that fun.

It started as an ordinary forest walk, even with beautiful November weather, around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Perfect hiking weather, you’d think. But in these forests, with dense undergrowth and barely a clear path, things quickly got more adventurous. Of course, we had a compass and occasional phone reception, so spirits were still high—but that started to change as the hours went by.

From funny to frightening

At first, it was kind of funny to think we might be lost, but three hours later and almost 20 kilometers in, the humor had worn off. The forest floor was strewn with long bramble vines that kept tripping us up. Lies and the dogs managed better; the dogs leapt gracefully over fallen logs, and Lies moved through it all with apparent ease. Our real mistake? We’d left the path—something you quickly realize is a no-go in such dense woods.

Obstacles, streams, and soaked feet

Thankfully, our compass eventually led us to a small stream, giving us our first real clue toward the right direction. Lies and the dogs leapt over the stream like graceful gazelles. But for me? Far too wide. By then, my summer hiking shoes were already soaked from the muddy puddles we’d waded through, so I decided to just wade straight through the water. My shoes couldn’t possibly get any wetter!

A beautiful ending with a valuable lesson.

In hindsight, it did have its charm. We spotted beautiful cranes, mushrooms, and were treated to stunning autumn scenery. And luckily, I managed to snap a few photos along the way. But the takeaway from this adventure? In the Burgundy countryside, it’s wise to stick to the paths and wear winter hiking boots—getting lost in a real forest is an experience I’d rather not repeat anytime soon!

And so, there’s always something happening here in Burgundy. Boring? Definitely not. Getting lost? Hopefully not again!

Has something like this ever happened to you, or does it sound exciting? I’d love to hear your thoughts—I’m curious!