Bike Tour: Sea to City - long - 5 days

Arrive in Pieterburen and settle in at your accommodation. Then jump right in with a visit to the seal centre or stroll the seawall for a view of the ever-changing mudflats.

Wake up in peaceful Pieterburen ready for splendid day of cycling. Find Kaakhorn hidden among huge potato fields and vast expanses of grain. Stumble upon ‘unknown’ villages like Westernieland and Den Andel, secrets known only to artists. Roll to Onderdendam’s beautiful location on the Damsterdiep and follow the water’s edge to Winsum, recently voted the Netherlands’ most beautiful village. Wind through waterscapes on the Reitdiep / Hunzedal and catch a boat for lunch at the famous Cafe Hammingh or Garnwerd 'aan Zee'. Pedal the Pieterpad pilgrimage route back into Groningen city and take to a terrace on the Grote Markt or Forum rooftop.

Groningen is brimming with things to see and do, but you’ll want to cycle too! It’s the local version of ‘stress’. Opt for a day of shopping, visit Groninger art museum, do lunch at the Forum, climb Martini Tower, pause at the Prinsenhof and Noorderhaven, get a glimpse of the station and relax on a terrace in the Grote Markt or Vismarkt. Check out local architecture and urban greenery or ride south into wet wilderness in the Lake District. The choice is yours!

Start off in the city, then roll out into peaceful green countryside. As the busy university vibe gives way to wide open space, marvellous mound villages like Middelstum and Kantens appear. This is the real Hogeland, all in lush green. The far-reaching views from Usquert reveal Noordpolderzijl dike with the Wadden Sea hiding just behind it. Pause for some refreshment at ‘t Zielhoes then cycle a section outside the dike and challenge yourself against the wind. This evening, rest and relax with a good book before departure. 

Is it already time to go? If you can, make time to tour the Hogeland via Zoutkamp and linger in Lauwersmeer National Park. Celebrate with a fresh fish lunch at the harbour and see the boats depart for Schiermonnikoog. Perhaps an idea for your next visit?