Round Groningen

In the vicinity of the city of Groningen it is wonderful to cycle. This route takes you through the open and water-rich landscape to the south and west of the city. You drive along the Hoornse Meer and the Paterswoldsemeer, through De Onlanden and through picturesque towns such as Paterswolde and Peize. You drive a large part of the route through the province of Drenthe!

From a park-like neighborhood in Groningen you drive along the Hoornse Meer, which was created in the 1970s by sand extraction. This sand was used, among other things, for the construction of the A7. A little later you drive along the adjacent Paterswoldsemeer, which was created in the sixteenth century by the excavation of peat. You pass De Helper, a polder mill from 1863. The mill was originally located at a different location to drain the Helpmanpolder. In 1971, the then dilapidated mill was moved to its current location.

A little further on you drive through Paterswolde, which enjoys a protected village view thanks to the many beautiful old buildings. From the fifteenth to the nineteenth century, there was a manor house on the Lemferdinge estate. The present mansion is the former treasure house of this demolished manor house. Around the house there is still a park forest and several centuries-old gardens.

In the esdorp Peize you can see, among other things, the Paiser Meul, a flour mill from 1898. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the village was known for growing hops. The hops were mainly purchased by brewers from nearby Groningen. The name of the Hoppekampweg you cross still refers to this history.