Walking in The Onlanden
Discover the nature around the hotel and the various possibilities for outdoor activities. Below you will find information on our favourite walking routes in Groningen.
Less than a stone's throw from the hotel and the city of Groningen is a contiguous nature reserve of some 3,500 football pitches 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 bushes, wooded banks, rough grasslands and ditches where water violet and kingcup bloom. The area is in full development and lends itself well to walking and cycling.
Route 1: Exploring 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
Have a cup of tea or coffee at Van der Valk hotel Groningen - Hoogkerk first, if necessary, and set off. Put on your walking shoes and explore the Onlanden. Around the Leekstermeer, Drenthe's largest lake, these rugged low moorlands stretch out. The Onlanden lie exactly in the valley between the higher sandy soils of Drenthe and the clay soils of Groningen. Here you enjoy beautiful vistas across grasslands, but you also see bushes and wooded banks.
Peizermade
On the way there and back, you walk through the hamlet of Peizermade. 'Made' means meadow or grassland, i.e. the meadow near Peize. This used to be a huge wetland that often flooded. You can still see water: you 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 straight out? The walk soon passes through the hamlet of Peizermade. Made' means meadow or grassland, i.e. the meadow near Peize. This used to be a huge wetland that often flooded. You can still see water: you cross the Gouw and follow the Peizerdiep for quite a distance.
Peizermaden
The Peizermaden is a beautiful low moorland area with woods, hedgerows and rough grasslands. It is part of the Onlanden nature reserve. The rugged low moors of the Onlanden form a unique piece of nature between the higher sandy soils of Drenthe and the clay soils of Groningen. After your walk, enjoy a tasty 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 20th century to a design by landscape architect Singer. You will also pass through the hamlet of Peizermade. 'Made' means meadow or grassland, i.e. the meadow near Peize. This used to be a huge wetland that often flooded. You can still see water: you cross the Gouw and follow the Peizerdiep for quite a distance. You also walk along the Ruskenveenseplas. What a lot of nature to enjoy so close to the city!
Natuurmonumenten also offers beautiful walking and cycling routes to explore the Onlanden. Furthermore, there are several excursion possibilities and the forester tells all about the flora and fauna.