The new year has begun, and for many, this is a reason to get a bit more exercise. The Noorderrondritten have long been a household name in Groningen and the surrounding area, and are among the most challenging sporting routes, taking you past the most beautiful parts of our province. Whether you prefer to hop on a bike or put on your ice skates, the Noorderrondritten are the perfect way to start the year on a fit note.
The natural ice-skating classic
Groningen’s classic natural-ice race, the Noorderrondritten, has been held no fewer than eleven times since 8 January 1940. The last time the race took place was in 1997. Nevertheless, we continue to hope for a harsh winter so that the race can be organised again. Fortunately, there is an alternative for sports enthusiasts. Since 1978, the Noorderrondritten have also been organised as a cycle tour. And for anyone who would like to cycle the route themselves, there has been a signposted (racing) cycle route since 2022. Where possible, cyclists now follow the same route as the Noorderrondritten speed skating race. At four iconic locations along the route, there are panels featuring stories and photographs that commemorate the skating race.
The not-so-lonely cyclist
Fans of long cycle rides in Groningen now have another option. The Noorderrondritten have been developed especially for leisure cyclists and road cyclists. It is the first signposted route for sporty cyclists in the province of Groningen. The 144-kilometre cycle route is inspired by the Groningen skating classic and is divided into two loops of 84 and 60 kilometres. The advantage is that it doesn’t need to be freezing. The roads and paths along the route are ideal for road cyclists and other sporty cyclists. There’s plenty of space to enjoy a leisurely ride through the Groningen countryside with your friends. The village of Onderdendam is the central point of the route, where both loops converge. Due to the route’s length, it is particularly suitable for road cyclists, e-bikes and multi-day cycling tours.
