The conference social event is a gentle 8km walk along a section of the Pieterpad long-distance footpath through the Drentsche Aa national landscape, starting with a visit to a pancake restaurant in the village of Gasteren (gluten-free and pancake-free meals available). There are no hills and paths are almost all firm or sandy, so the walk is suitable to do in trainers or stout shoes. Transport to the start and from the end is by local bus.
The 8km walk ends at Westlaren where there are frequent buses back to Groningen. Depending on energy levels, it is possible to walk 2km further to the village of Zuidlaren, which has a number of pubs and cafés, and also has buses to Groningen.
If you want a longer walk, you can travel in the morning by train and bus to Rolde and walk 8km along the Pieterpad to Gasteren, joining the main group at lunch.