Zernike

Start your walk at the lovely Reitdiephaven. Brightly coloured Scandinavian-style cottages line the waterfront, giving the harbour a character all of its own. Thanks to these cottages, Reitdiephaven has become one of the most photographed parts of the city in recent years. Walk past the small shopping centre and pick up a tasty treat for the journey from one of the shops or cafés. Or book a table in advance for a delicious meal after your walk. After taking another quick look at the cottages, continue along the route through the neighbourhood towards the Reitdiep.

Once you’ve left the neighbourhood behind and crossed the Reitdiep, you’ll find yourself immersed in greenery. As you walk along the dyke beside the babbling water, you’ll see how the Reitdiep meanders through the landscape. The Reitdiep once carved its own path through the province. On a picnic bench by the water, you can relax and enjoy the vastness of the landscape. A little further on, at the Van Starkenborgh Canal, it’s immediately apparent that this canal was dug by hand. It runs straight through the landscape.

As one skipper after another manoeuvres their boat along the canal, you’ll see a small watchtower emerge from among the trees. From here, you have a magnificent view over the meadows. It isn’t immediately obvious, but you are standing here looking at a listed building. Until the^16th century, Selwerd Monastery stood on this site. During the Eighty Years’ War, the monastery was set alight. The remains of the monastery can still be found in the ground here. The path that once led to the monastery can still be walked today.

Walking along the Penningsdijk, you pass underneath the Linnaeusborg . Suddenly, you find yourself in the bustling heart of Groningen’s student life. It’s not just students from the University and Hanze University of Applied Sciences who gather here; the Campus is also home to a host of organisations with a passion for research, education and entrepreneurship. Here, we’re building the world of tomorrow together. On the promenade along the Duisenbergvijver, you can relax in the sunshine, and there’s always something tasty to grab at the food court. Via the ACLO and the Blauwbrugje, you’ll walk back towards the colourful houses of Reitdiephaven .