The lovely stream valley of the Ruiten Aa

Westerwolde has everything for a wonderful day of cycling. In this former glory in the southeast of Groningen you drive through historic villages. You will also cycle through the brook valley of the Ruiten Aa, one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands.

Diamonds aa
After cycling through the open landscape for a while, you reach the valley of the Ruiten Aa. This stream forms the backbone of Westerwolde, especially now that it has regained its original meanders. Along the water and the surrounding areas you can fully enjoy nature and the silence. Further on in Veelerveen you will pass Niemans Molen, a flour mill from 1916.

Ter Wupping
You continue cycling through the idyllic valley of the Ruiten Aa. How beautiful it is here! In Ter Wupping you cycle through a small-scale farm and stream valley landscape with a few characteristic houses, such as a monumental farmhouse of the Westerwold type. In nearby Onstwedde you can see one of the two still existing Groningen Juffertorens.

Fortress Bourtange
Time enough? Close to your route is the famous Bourtange fortress. You will experience bygone times here, because this fortified village looks much the same as it did in 1742. William of Orange had the fortress built in the sixteenth century to liberate Groningen from Spanish hands. At the time, Bourtange was on the supply route that ran through the middle of the marshes. The fortress has a pentagonal shape, the 14 lime trees in the market square are placed along the sides of the central pentagon. Outside the fortress you can still see part of the old marshland.