Tour of Diamonds Aa, Onstwedde and Bourtange

The Ruiten Aa is a stream that meanders through the former seigneury of Westerwolde in East Groningen. From the saddle you can explore this lovely stream valley, one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. At Wedde you will pass Huis te Wedde whose origins date back to 1360, although the building has been modified a number of times. The Lords of Westerwolde lived here for centuries. A little further on is De Korenbloem, a flour mill from 1895. In the brook valley of the Ruiten Aa you drive through a variety of convex fields, hay meadows, bushes and hedgerows. You will experience an old-fashioned tranquility here. In the spring the stream valley turns yellow because of the many marsh marigolds. In picturesque Smeerling you can see beautiful monumental Groningen farms.