Cycling and hiking in Groningen

“Nothing beats Groningen!” is a well-known slogan, and our guest blogger Marian couldn’t agree more! She and her family will be enjoying this wonderful province again this year. And maybe the province of Groningen is also something for you this summer. There is a lot to do so chances are you will book a vacation in Groningen next! For example, you can do great cycling and hiking!

Lauwersmeer National Park

National Park Lauwersmeer is a beautiful hiking area. Bring a backpack full of goodies and a bag to take your trash back too. Hang binoculars around the neck of yourself or your child and go for a walk in the Lauwersmeer! On the site of Staatsbosbeheer you will find routes of various lengths. You won’t get lost because the routes are clearly marked in the area itself. If you are not such a hiker, book a canal cruise at Rondvaartbedrijf Lauwersmeer. Or enjoy the coming and going of boats at the marina.
Then on to the Lauwersoog fish auction, taking a look there is unforgettable! The passenger boat also goes from Lauwersoog to Schiermonnikoog. Then you immediately pick up a beautiful piece of Friesland.

Niehove

In Niehove you will find a very special restaurant . At restaurant café Eisseshof you can eat delicious organic Indonesian food. Lunch, dinner, a drink with a vegan cake, everything is possible! The terrace is now Corona-proof decorated and in the beautiful garden is also possibility to sit. Are you in a 50 km radius from Niehove? Set that navigation to Eisseshof and enjoy! And while you’re there: this village is a well-preserved mudflat village. A mound village is a place of refuge during rising waters. In the church of Niehove is the visitors center, it is handy to visit it first and then walk around the village. Then you can be sure not to overlook any piece of history. The top view of the village is fascinating by the way. After the walk, you can return directly to the Eisseshof.

Groningen-city

Groningen-city is fantastic because of the museums, the Grote Markt by the Martinitoren, the Vismarkt, a great amount of stores and diversity in shopping and lots of choice in terms of hotels, restaurants and terraces. See my blog about Groningen for tips in the city. Don’t forget to check out Egbert Modderman’s artwork in the Martinikerk and have a cocktail at The Stockroom!

Wadlopen

Once in your life you have to go mudflat hiking! My father is going to laugh heartily when he reads this. I’ve never done it! Dad, this summer, I promise! Tip: put on old shoes or buy/rent shoes in Pieterburen. My family did it once – yes, without me: sjaakafhaak- and had a lot of fun! Tough pictures of proud people on the other side. If walking across the mud flats appeals to you (too): go and see the wonder of nature in the coastal area of Groningen. The salt marshes, the views, the islands in the distance..

Pieterburen

The Pieterburen Seal Center provides year-round care for seals that have become ill or injured. The stay is focused on recovery and return to the sea. That is why it is a surprise every time which seals you meet. There are several types of pools, the center is covered but there are also outdoor pools. My personal opinion is that it is especially very educational and fun for elementary school age children and their caregivers. My parents often take the grandchildren to the center and if it is up to my nephews and nieces, they want to visit the seals every sleepover! Flat on your stomach on a pillow through a window watching swimming seals, how cool is that! If you want to experience even more in Pieterburen check the site. For example, you can walk the first part of the Pieterpad!

Cycling and hiking in Groningen

There is a churches path, especially on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the former Groningen churches, two new routes have been developed along all the churches. In all churches there are cycling route maps, it is also possible to cycle it via routeyou.com. The Pieterpad, as mentioned earlier, also runs through a large part of the province of Groningen, walking a few pieces is great fun and the route is well taken care of with regular fine resting places. For example, go to the coffee and tea shop “in the Malle Molen” in Mensingeweer. Of course, you can also bike a piece of the Pieterpad, which is a lot faster!

Pilgrim routes

There are also Pilgrim Routes, each stage of about 21 km has its own web page and leads from campsite to campsite. The ideal walking vacation. Without visiting the campsites, walking such a route is of course also very suitable for a day of hiking. If you are considering a cycling or walking vacation and everything is already fully booked: join ‘friends on bikes‘ and spend the night at the most beautiful places in Groningen! You can do this as an individual, but also as a family or as a couple. It’s not province-specific, friends on bikes is all over the Netherlands so that’s something to remember anyway.

Zoutkamp

You should definitely visit this village, the view from the harbor is so un-Dutch beautiful… The colored facades you can see from afar, the fish cart with unbeatable kibbeling, the fishing museum…. And buy a piece of dried fish somewhere, which is a typical delicacy from Zoutkamp. Zoutkamp has a nice campsite with various accommodations: camping de Rousant. This is a fine base for your vacation in Groningen.

Oude Pekela

Camping ZomersBuiten in Oude Pekela is a fine base for exploring southern and eastern Groningen, and from there Eemshaven is also only a 45-minute drive away. That’s as good as nothing compared to a trip to France. And from here, visiting a German city is also a good possibility.

Borkum, Germany

From Groningen central station a special train goes to Eemshaven, on the way enjoy the beautiful scenery and after arriving in Eemshaven take the boat to Borkum from there. This is awesome! From Borkum you continue by train to the beach. It is a beautiful wide beach with a fantastic boulevard: the ultimate vacation feeling. Swim, sunbathe and enjoy! One day is probably not enough: a lighthouse to climb, stores to shop, a covered wagon ride, a rental bike, kite surfing … just think of it and it is possible! To my knowledge, it is not (yet) possible to use debit cards so bring old school cash to Borkum.

Last but not least

The choice is great in the province of Groningen, I also tip: museum het Hoogeland in Warffum: a must for all generations. Restaurant ‘De Jongens uit de buurt‘ in Winsum and the adjacent boat rental. Klimcentrum Bjoeks in Groningen city, the villages of Boertange, Westerwolde and Winschoten. And the many exhibitions of artists who move to Groningen province because of the beautiful light. Admire, for example, the work of Marleen Bakker from Sauwerd. Taking a workshop with her is also a nice vacation activity. There is no shortage of art and culture in Groningen!

Would you like more information? Click here for vacation tips in your own country. And do you want more cycling and hiking tips? Then look here.