Lauwersmeer Route

This bike tour takes the cyclist through the Lauwersmeer National Park, located in the north of Groningen. The dykes, gullies, denominations, but also the villages and sights along the way are reminders of the eternal battle that people have fought here against the rising water. When the Lauwerszee was closed off from the Waddenzee in 1969, the Lauwersmeer was created. The closure and the fresh water made the lake an environment where water, plants, animals and people come together in a special way. In addition to nature and recreation, there is also a military training area. The Lauwersmeer area has been allowed to call itself a National Park since 1999. The route leads through the villages of Zoutkamp with its Fishery Museum and the Eel Smokehouse of Gaele Postma and Houwerzijl with the famous Tea Factory. From the fishing port of Lauwersoog, the route goes along the Wadden dike, from where you have a beautiful view of the Wadden Sea. This area was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009. During this route we also pass the former reformed church at Hornhuizen. The church was rebuilt on the old foundation in 1850. The lower part of the medieval tower, which collapsed in 1815, was preserved. There are still several gravestones in the floor of the church, the oldest from 1498. The communion table and the 18th century gentlemen's pew, decorated with the Meckema van Aylva/Van Camstra coats of arms, also come from the former church. The organ was placed in the former church in 1833: it was originally a house organ from Delft; the base was removed around the turn of the century. Curtains have been painted on the west wall of the former church behind the organ. Both experienced and less experienced cyclists will have a pleasant day on this varied route! The cycle route partly follows the signposted ANWB route. This cycle route is offered to you by Marketing Groningen. Visit for more information about this region tourism.groningen.nl