\\\'t Ruige Zandpad from fresh to salt

The Kiekenpad is a short cycle route that takes you through the northwest of Groningen. From the saddle you can fully enjoy young forests and views over the Lauwersmeer, the Wadden Sea and the characteristic Groningen clay landscape.

Bird-rich Lauwersmeer
Lauwersmeer National Park was once an arm of the Wadden Sea. To minimize the risk of flooding, the estuary was closed off. This created the unique wilderness of water, young forests, orchids and rugged grasslands that you see while cycling. More than a hundred bird species breed in this area. If you have binoculars, be sure to bring them. You might spot one of the white-tailed eagles that breed here during a picnic or break.

Fishing villages
Vierhuizen and Zoutkamp are two old characteristic fishing villages that lie on your route. In Vierhuizen, for example, you can see De Onderneming, a flour mill from 1858. The beautiful village church originally dates from the thirteenth century, but was plastered in the nineteenth century. At the Reitdiepskade in Zoutkamp you can see some picturesque wooden houses from the nineties of the last century. On the other side of the Reitdiep is Camping de Rousant where you can stay nice and quiet.

Monumental locks
For centuries, Zoutkamp was located at the place where the Reitdiep flows into the Lauwerszee. Until the completion of the Eems Canal in 1876, this was the only access from the sea to the city of Groningen. Zoutkamp therefore functioned as a garrison for a long time. Nothing remains of the former fortress. There are still two monumental locks in Zoutkamp. The Hunsingo lock and the accompanying simple wooden lockkeeper's house date from 1859. The Reitdiep locks date from 1877, as do the two lock buildings. Would you like to discover the characteristic wierde villages in the Marne from Camping de Rousant? Then also drive route 366836.