The Noorderrondrit originated as the Groningen counterpart of the Elfstedentocht. And although we probably won't be able to skate this route anymore, you can still enjoy it by bike. Together with Fietsrelax, we put together a package in which you cycle along a number of beautiful places and stay overnight in nice and genuine Groningen places.
Day 1 | Winsum
On your first day, you will arrive in Winsum. You will be sleeping at Marenland, a super cosy place by the water where you can do all sorts of things. Winsum was voted the most beautiful village in the Netherlands in 2020 and for good reason. You'll find 59 national monuments, including old churches, mills and atmospheric canal houses. Explore the area on foot or by bike, or stap a boat (which you can rent at Marenland) to experience the meandering Winsumerdiep from the water. Tip: walk our podwalk about Winsum, so you can learn all about this lovely village while walking.
Day 2 | Uithuizermeeden
On the second day, we set course for Uithuizermeeden. If you cycle through in one go, you will be there in just under three hours. On the way, you will of course encounter all kinds of nice things. You cycle along the Winsumerdiep to places worth stopping at. For example, you ride through the cute village of Onderdendam towards Ten Boer, where you can make a nice stop at Bakkerij Henk Post. Or discover the Petrus- en Pauluskerk in Loppersum, a church built as early as 1220. Then you cycle through Appingedam: a historic town by the water, known for the Hangende Keukens. Finally, you arrive in Uithuizermeeden, where you stay overnight at the Lentemaheerd.
Day 3 | Westernieland
With fresh courage, you stap on your bike this third day. Today, the route will take you from Uithuizermeeden to charming Westernieland, straight through the vast Groninger countryside. Winding roads lead you via Zandeweer to Kantens and Middelstum. There is much to discover here: the Molen De Hoop, the Oorlogsmuseum Middelstum and borgterrein Op Ewsum. Via the bridge at the Fraamklap, you pedal towards Onderdendam and Baflo. In the latter village, two gems await you: Grandcafé De Hoek for a well-earned break and the imposing Laurentiuskerk, one of the oldest brick churches in Groningen. The route takes you further to your final destination Westernieland. Once you arrive, you can relax and spend the night at Hotel Bistro De Oude Smidse, the perfect place to get yourself ready for day four: the last stage of this exploration of Groningen.