WALKING BETWEEN CITY AND COUNTRY IN GRONINGEN
Discover the nature around the hotel and the various possibilities for outdoor activities. Below you will find information about our favorite hiking routes in Groningen.
Less than a stone's throw from the hotel and the city of Groningen is a contiguous nature reserve of approximately 3,500 soccer fields in size: De Onlanden. Between the stream valleys of the Eelderdiep and the Peizerdiep lies a wet low moorland area. This stream valley landscape consists of woods, wooded banks, rough grasslands and ditches in which water violet and kingcup bloom. The area is in full development and lends itself well to walking and cycling.
Route 1: Discovering the Onlanden
De Onlanden - it sounds somewhat ominous, but what a beautiful area this is. Enjoy this rugged low moor in the valley between Drenthe sand and Groningen clay.
Onlanden
If necessary, have a cup of tea or coffee first at Van der Valk hotel Groningen - Hoogkerk and head out. Put on the walking shoes and go exploring through the Onlanden. Around the Leekstermeer, the largest lake in Drenthe, these rugged low moorlands stretch out. The Onlanden lie precisely in the valley between the higher Drenthe sandy soils and Groningen clay soils. Here you enjoy beautiful vistas over grasslands, but you also see groves and wooded banks.
Peizermade
On the way there and back you walk through the hamlet of Peizermade. 'Made' means meadow or grassland, so the meadow near Peize. This used to be a very wet area that often flooded. You can still see water: cross the Gouw and follow the Peizerdiep for quite a distance. Fancy a bite to eat before you drive home? Then take a look at our menu.
Route 2: Walking along Peizerdiep and Peizermaden
Close to the city of Groningen you will find beautiful rugged low moorland that takes you centuries back in time. Enjoy!
Peizerdiep
Another cup of coffee and tea in the brasserie of Van der Valk Hotel Groningen - Hoogkerk or do you head out right away? The walk soon comes through the hamlet of Peizermade. Made' means meadow or grassland, the meadow near Peize. This used to be a very wet area that often flooded. You can still see water: you cross the Gouw and follow the Peizerdiep for quite a while.
Peizermaden
The Peizermaden is a beautiful low moorland with woods, hedgerows and rough grasslands. It is part of the Onlanden nature reserve. The rough low moors of the Onlanden form a unique piece of nature between the higher sandy soils of Drenthe and clay soils of Groningen. After the walk, enjoy a delicious snack and drink at your starting point. It is also possible to stay overnight and visit the lively city of Groningen tomorrow!
Route 3: Around Stadspark
The walk starts at Van der Valk Hotel Groningen - Hoogkerk for an introduction to the green side of Groningen City: a nice walk through the Stadspark. It was laid out at the beginning of the twentieth century to a design by landscape architect Singer. You will also pass through the hamlet of Peizermade. 'Made' means meadow or grassland, thus the meadow near Peize. This used to be a huge wet area that often flooded. You can still see water: you cross the Gouw and follow the Peizerdiep for quite a while. You also walk along the Ruskenveenseplas. What a lot of nature to enjoy so close to the city!
Natuurmonumenten also offers beautiful hiking and biking routes to explore the Onlanden. Furthermore, there are several excursion possibilities and the forester tells everything about the flora and fauna.