Haren, the green pearl of the North

Haren, also called 'Wassenaar of the North' because of the many spacious villas that have been built there, has another nickname: Green Pearl of the North. In 2012, Haren itself won the title 'Greenest village'. Haren is located on the Hondsrug, a sand ridge that extends to Drenthe. A rolling landscape is the result, in which watercourses predominate and stimulate the growth of plants and trees. The route, which has the shape of a figure of eight, starts at the parking lot in the pearl of the North and leads around the Paterswoldsemeer. This beautiful lake was created in the 16th and 17th centuries because the peat in the region was excavated. At the beginning of the 20th century, the lake was discovered for recreation. Various water sports enthusiasts, including many sailors and yacht clubs, come here to practice their hobby. Many aquatic plants grow around the lake and in the lake itself there are small islands that people like to explore. In the middle of the polder east of Haren you can also see the De Biks mill. This octagonal ground sailor was built in 1857 to drain the polder. The mill has been modernized over the years; the blade cross has been overhauled and two screw pumps have been built into it. Nowadays, with modern techniques, it is little effort for the volunteer miller to have the mill ground.