Cycling through the Westerkwartier

In the west of the province of Groningen it is wonderful to travel for miles through the Westerkwartier. This route takes you through picturesque towns such as Zuidhorn, Niehove and Aduard.

Humsterland
Around Niehove and Oldehove you drive across the former Wadden island of Humsterland, one of the oldest cultural landscapes in Western Europe. Until 1100, sea water had free rein up to Marum. The current land was won after centuries of toil at sea. Take your time for Niehove, the entire town enjoys a protected village view. The mound has been inhabited continuously for about 2200 years, wow! The church originally dates from the thirteenth century, just like the one in Oldehove.

Westerkwartier
In the Westerkwartier you drive through a mosaic of mounds, ditches, grasslands and winding roads. You can get a breath of fresh air in this vast landscape! There are several beautiful monumental villas on De Gast, a beautiful avenue in Zuidhorn. You can take a break here at the stylish and hospitable Restaurant-Zalencentrum Balk. In Niekerk you can take a look at the beautiful thirteenth-century church.

Groningen deposit
In Oldehove you will pass two beautiful flour mills. The Aeolus dates from 1846, the Leeuw from 1855. A little further on you can take a look at the Piloersemaborg from 1633. It was built by Johan de Mepsche, a Spanish-minded administrator who lived here during the start of the Eighty Years' War. De Mepsche was a fierce Roman Catholic heretic hunter. Just south of Faan you drive along Fanerweg 1, the place where Huis Bijma once stood. Of this deposit, only part of the driveway and the former cattle stable that has been converted into a farm remain. In the eighteenth century, Rudolf de Mepsche lived in Huis Bijma. He was not only a descendant of the aforementioned Johan de Mepsche, but also surpassed him in cruelty.