On foot into the Drenthe forests

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. Lauwersmeer National Park was once an arm of the Wadden Sea. To minimize the risk of flooding, the sea arm was closed off. This is how the unique wilderness of water, young forests, orchids and rough grasslands that you see there now came into being. More than a hundred bird species breed in this area. You might even spot one of the sea eagles that breed here! Vierhuizen and Zoutkamp are two old characteristic fishing villages. On the Reitdiepskade in Zoutkamp you can see picturesque wooden houses. Until the completion of the Eemskanaal in 1876, this was the only access to the city of Groningen from the sea.