Lakes and Maggot Route

A tour of the lakes near the city of Groningen! The Paterswoldsemeer lake was created around 1800 by peat extraction. From 1900 onwards, the lake primarily served as a recreational lake. Within Groningen, the lake has been significantly expanded with the addition of the Hoornse Plas and the Hoornsemeer lakes. The area between the Leekstermeer and the Paterswoldsemeer lakes is called De Onlanden: a nature reserve and water storage area combined. Ancient rivers and creeks have been restored. Swamp forests and moist grasslands are created by the area being partially flooded in winter. On the north side of the Leekstermeer lake lies a beautiful small swamp forest, the Lettelberterpetten, or the Olde Mart forest. The Lettelberterpetten are peat pits, created by peat extraction, which have become overgrown with black alders. The National Carriage Museum is located in Borg Nienoord, a pleasant spot for a break.