Camping de Watermolen - route South: Opende, Frieschepalen, Bakkeveen, Marum

This route starts at Camping de Watermolen in Opende (Openderweg 26) . The route goes along the heath and forest of Trimunt for the first part (bring a vest, as it can be cold at times). Then you go via Frieschepalen to Bakkeveen , which is the only green village in Friesland. There are plenty of catering establishments in Bakkeveen to interrupt the tour and the children can also play here.
In the area are the beautiful Bakkeveense Duinen . The high sandy soils are a Natura 2000 area. Although planted and spontaneously created forest and heathland predominate here, there are also grasslands and estates to be found. In the shifting sand area you will find crowberry vegetation .
Then the route goes to Marum , where many commuters live, who mainly work in Groningen . There is also a beautiful church here, which is also the starting point of the Witte Nonnenpad. Marum has a history in peat extraction. When the peat area was reclaimed and the middle class developed further, other thriving industries arose. The cheese factory that was started in 1918 is an important employer, but Gjaltema\\\'s Timmerfabriek, which was originally a family business, is also doing well.
After Marum you cycle back to Camping de Watermolen , where you can drink coffee .