What you don't need a car for
Looking for a day trip full of nature, good food and surprising stops along the way? Stap on your bike and explore the area south of Groningen. From colourful flowers and plants to a freshly baked lunch, a walk through a historic nature reserve to relaxing at a bistro, perhaps with an overnight stay. This route shows that you don’t have to travel far at all for a varied day out.
Hortus Botanicus | Discover a green oasis
Your day begins in the city of Groningen. In the morning, you hop on your bike and cycle along the Hereweg towards Haren for about 20 minutes. Before you know it, you’ll be at the Hortus Botanicus, the first stop on this day trip.
At the Hortus, you stap into a world full of flowers, plants and extraordinary gardens. Stroll through the colourful Chinese garden, discover exotic plants in the tropical greenhouses or wander along the winding paths through the various themed gardens. Covering an area of over twenty hectares, the Hortus Botanicus Haren is the largest botanical garden in the Netherlands and also one of the oldest. It is the perfect place to start your day in a relaxed way and lose yourself completely in the greenery.
Bakkerij Stoet | Lunch amidst the greenery
After a morning spent amongst the flowers and plants at Hortus, you stap back on your bike. From here, it’s about a 15-minute cycle to Glimmen, where a delicious lunch stop awaits you.
At Bakkerij Stoet , it’s all about craftsmanship, locally grown grain and good sourdough bread. What began in Steffie and Marten’s utility room has grown into a much-loved village bakery where fresh bread, cinnamon buns and other delicacies are baked daily. Stap inside, enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread and unwind in the idyllic garden.
Take a seat on the terrace and order a cappuccino or a good cup of coffee with a tasty treat from the display case. A perfect spot to recharge your batteries before cycling on. After this tasty stop, it’s time to head out into nature towards the Appelbergen, a historic nature reserve.
De Appelbergen | Walking through nature
After lunch at Bakkerij Stoet , it’s time to get back on your bike. Fortunately, you don’t have far to go, as within five minutes you’ll reach the Appelbergen, a diverse nature reserve on the outskirts of Glimmen.
As soon as you step into the woods, you’ll notice just how varied this area is. Dense woods give way to open heathland, drifting sands, fens and marshy areas. Follow the well-known route marked by the yellow posts and be surprised by the variety of landscapes that alternate along the way.
De Appelbergen also has a rich history. During your walk, you’ll pass a remarkable pingo ruin – a small crater lake formed during the last ice age. Traces of old cart tracks and sand drifts can also still be found in the area, serving as reminders of this remarkable landscape’s past.
Whether you opt for a short walk or fancy a longer stroll, the Appelbergen is a lovely place to slow down for a while and enjoy nature. A green stop-off that shows just how much beauty there is to discover right on Groningen’s doorstep.
Bistro Landing | Al fresco dining
After your walk through the Appelbergen , stap back on your bike. Within five minutes you’ll reach Bistro Landing, where you can round off this day trip in a relaxed manner. Bistro Landing is the restaurant at Camping De Kleine Wereld, though you don’t need to be a guest at the campsite to enjoy a meal here.
Take a seat on the terrace and enjoy a sumptuous dinner. With views of the surrounding countryside, this is the ideal spot to reflect on a day filled with nature, tranquillity and lovely stops along the way. At Bistro Landing , delicious dishes are prepared using wholesome ingredients sourced locally wherever possible.
It’s even more enjoyable here during the high season. Join us for one of our cosy pizza evenings or order your favourite drink at the outdoor bar. As the sun slowly sets, Bistro Landing is the perfect way to round off this day trip just outside Groningen.
Camping De Kleine Wereld | Stay an extra night
Haven’t had your fill of the area yet? Turn your day trip into a mini-break and stay the night at Camping De Kleine Wereld. This cosy campsite is set amidst lush greenery and is the perfect place to stay after your day trip. There’s plenty to do here for young and old alike. Here, you can choose between comfort and luxury or, alternatively, the great outdoors.
Back to Groningen
After dinner, the day is over and it’s time to cycle back to Groningen. Via the Rijksstraatweg, it takes about forty minutes to cycle back towards the city. Along the way, you’ll pass green paths and small villages, and enjoy the countryside one last time. This is how you round off this varied day trip just as you began it: relaxing on your bike.
