Appelbergen
Hills and lakes shaped by nature
The primal force of nature has left an indelible mark on the Groningen landscape. In the Appelbergen near Glimmen, this has created a wooded landscape full of small lakes, rolling hills and drifting sand. Being so close to the city, it’s a popular spot for a family day out. Don’t be alarmed if you suddenly spot an adder slithering away!
Cart tracks through prehistoric landscape remnants
Just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city, you find yourself face to face with prehistory. Scattered across the heathland of the Appelbergen are small, round lakes. These are pingo ruins. Underground ice pushed the ground upwards. When the ice melted, craters filled with water were formed. But not everything about the Appelbergen is prehistoric. The deep gullies in the field are medieval cart tracks. For centuries, carts travelling between Groningen and Coevorden wore away all the vegetation from the sand. The wind had free rein and blew the loose sand into the countless little mounds, still visible today, along the cart tracks. For the flat province of Groningen, this is quite something: hence the name ‘mountains’.
Former military training ground
And the 'apple'? That officially comes from pine cones. Yet you will often hear Groningers put the emphasis on the first e. The word 'appel' is a native reference to the military training ground that the forest was for many years. Hike through the Appelbergen as part of the Pieterpad or go for a shorter route. The signposted walk from Glimmen (Hereweg 52), for instance, is also fun with children. Who knows which bird whistles there? At the end of the walk, a playground awaits them; and perhaps a well-earned pancake in Paviljoen Appelbergen.
