Cycling in Eems Delta

Get on your bike and let the wind blow through your hair. A cycle ride through the Eemsdelta is full of surprises. Stap on your bike, explore the Dollard region and take a ferry across the water halfway through. Or discover the stars of the Hoogeland. The Eemsdelta is just the right size – big enough yet small enough – for fantastic rides.

Fresh from the Eemsdelta

The Eemsdelta region has held an irresistible allure for people for thousands of years. It began as an untamed mudflat and led to ‘prime land’ within the dykes. The marens, the wierde villages and the dykes are silent witnesses to how the sea ultimately lost ‘the battle’. People took over and cultivated the land that had been reclaimed from the sea. The mineral-rich, salty marine clay soil of the Eemsdelta now yields a wealth of fresh produce.

Churches, oases of tranquillity

Rising above the surrounding countryside, the churches are impossible to miss. The Eemsdelta is home to a considerable number of late medieval ‘wierde’ churches. They are magical places, spots for reflection. Oases of tranquillity. The best thing is that you can usually just walk straight in. During this cycle route, you’ll come across numerous beautiful churches. Often the door is already open, or you can borrow the key from the neighbours.

Always with the wind behind you

The railway line runs through the Eemsdelta like a main artery. This means you can almost always cycle with the wind at your back as you explore the Eemsdelta. And if you’re facing a headwind, just stap on the train. If you’re travelling from Groningen to Delfzijl (or vice versa), you can even take your bike on the train.

Dollard Route

The approximately 300-kilometre-long German-Dutch cycle route along the International Dollard Route takes you through a vast polder landscape. A landscape criss-crossed by ring canals and waterways, which are of vital importance to the local residents. As you look around, you’ll see that this is the ideal environment for unique flora and fauna.

Ditzum Cycle Ferry

Fancy crossing the Dollard estuary during your trip around it? You can, thanks to the handy cycle link. Between Ditzum, Emden and Delfzijl, the passenger ship ‘Dollard’ sails three days a week from May to September. You’re allowed to take your bike on board, so you can explore the area on the other side of the Dollard on your trusty steed. It makes a nice change from a bridge.

‘Stars of the Hoogeland’ Package

‘Stars of the Hoogeland’ is a three-day cycling package full of surprising encounters. With the help of a map and audio clips, you’ll get to know three stars of the Hoogeland: the artists Henk Helmantel, Francine Schrikkema and Jaap van Meeuwen. A tour rich in history and culture, right through the Groningen countryside.

Fruit-growing route

Anyone cycling through the former Fivelboezem today who has a keen eye for the land and its crops will see fruit growing flourishing (once again) in several places. The fertile marine clay has lost none of its properties and provides good soil for growing apples, pears, plums and berries, amongst other things. Stap – hop on your bike and discover the local fruit growers.

Delfzijl Pocket

No one could have imagined that, following the liberation of the city of Groningen on 16 April 1945, it would take a further two weeks or more before the entire province was liberated. The battle for the ‘Delfzijl Pocket’ – as the Canadians called the area where the German soldiers were encircled – was protracted, fierce and claimed many lives. On this cycle route, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the Canadian liberators.

6 villages Liberation Tour

At the end of World War II, there was still heavy fighting in north-eastern Groningen. After the liberation of the city of Groningen on 16 April 1945, German troops retreated to Delfzijl, where they became surrounded. The last battles took place in the so-called 'Delfzijl Pocket', mainly around the villages of the former municipality of Bierum. The last shots fell in Farmsum on 2 May 1945. During this route, you will be taken through the stories of history in six villages.

Ancient landscape

The western part of Eems Delta is a landscape with a rich past and present. Many stories tell the recent and old memories and legends. In this region, you can see how culture and nature have influenced each other for centuries. The traces of past inhabitants are still visible in the landscape. Go on your bike, see and taste the vast landscape, subdued villages and read the stories.

Mountain bike routes

The Eemsdelta has no hills. It does have dykes, though. And on a mountain bike, they’re more fun than you might think. The long route is 30 kilometres. You’ll ride along narrow country lanes, over the dyke and through villages you’d simply drive past in a car. This takes you to places your ordinary bike would never take you. You’ll have to look hard to find any significant elevation changes here. Headwinds will find you all by themselves. Has your child ever bounced over a tree root? In the Olingerbos near Appingedam, there’s a children’s route to introduce them to mountain biking. Chances are they’ll overtake you next year.