Walking between City and countryside in Groningen.
Walking in Groningen
Walking in Groningen
Between city and countryside
Discover the nature surrounding the hotel and the various possibilities for outdoor activities. Below you will find information about our favorite hiking trails in Groningen.
Just a stone's throw away from the hotel and the city of Groningen lies a contiguous nature reserve of approximately 3,500 soccer fields in size: The Onlanden Between the valleys of the Eelderdiep and Peizerdiep rivers lies a wet peatland area. This valley landscape consists of bushes, hedgerows, rough grasslands, and ditches where water violets and marsh marigolds bloom. The area is actively developing and is ideal for hiking.
Route 1: Exploring the Onlanden
The Onlanden - it may sound ominous, but what a beautiful area this is. Enjoy this rugged peat bog in the valley between Drenthe sand and Groningen clay.
Onlanden
Possibly first have a cup of tea or coffee at Van der Valk hotel Groningen - Hoogkerk and set off. Put on your walking shoes and explore the Onlanden. Surrounding the Leekstermeer, the largest lake in Drenthe, these rugged peat bog areas stretch out. The Onlanden are located exactly in the valley between the higher Drenthe sandy soils and Groningen clay soils. Here you can enjoy beautiful views over grasslands, but you will also see bushes and hedgerows.
Peizermade
On the way there and back, you walk through the hamlet of Peizermade. 'Made' means meadow or grassland, so it refers to the pasture near Peize. In the past, this was an extremely wet area that often flooded. You can still see water there: you cross the Gouw and follow the Peizerdiep for quite a while. Feel like grabbing a bite to eat before heading home? Then take a look at our menu.
Route 2: Walking along the Peizerdiep and Peizermaden.
Near the city of Groningen, you will find a beautiful rugged peat bog area that takes you back centuries. Enjoy!
Peizerdiep
Another cup of coffee and tea in the brasserie of Van der Valk Hotel Groningen - Hoogkerk or are you heading out right away? The walk soon passes through the hamlet of Peizermade. 'Made' means meadow or grassland, so it refers to the pasture near Peize. In the past, this was an extremely wet area that often flooded. You can still see water there: you cross the Gouw and follow the Peizerdiep for quite a while.
Peizermaden
The Peizermaden is a beautiful low peat area with bushes, hedgerows, and rough grasslands. It is part of the nature reserve called the Onlanden. The rough low peat areas of the Onlanden form a unique piece of nature between the higher sandy soils of Drenthe and the clay soils of Groningen. Enjoy a nice snack and drink at your starting point after the walk. It is also possible to stay overnight and visit the cozy city of Groningen tomorrow!
Route 3: City Park Loop
The walk starts at Van der Valk Hotel Groningen - Hoogkerk for an introduction to the green side of Groningen City: a beautiful walk through the City Park. It was created at the beginning of the twentieth century according to a design by landscape architect Singer. You will also pass through the hamlet of Peizermade. 'Made' means meadow or grassland, so it refers to the meadow near Peize. In the past, this was an extremely wet area that often flooded. You can still see water there: you cross the Gouw and follow the Peizerdiep for quite a while. You also walk along the Ruskenveenseplas. There is so much nature to enjoy so close to the city!
Nature Reserves also offers beautiful hiking and cycling routes to explore the Onlanden. Furthermore, there are various excursion options and the forest ranger will tell you all about the flora and fauna.