Through the peat colonies


|
(54.7 km)

During this tour, you’ll discover the fascinating history of the Veenkoloniën: the straight canals cutting through the landscape, endless ribbon villages with beautiful farmhouses and the rich industrial heritage.

Love at first sight? Not everyone feels that way about the Veenkoloniën. This part of Groningen is for connoisseurs. But if you give the Veenkoloniën a chance, you’ll take this area to your heart. For centuries, the land here lay beneath a thick layer of high moorland. From the Middle Ages onwards, that peat was excavated and used as fuel: peat. In the nineteenth century, the Veenkoloniën developed into the cradle of Groningen’s coastal shipping and agricultural industries. By then, the plaggehutten were long a thing of the past. It became a bustling region.

Here’s what you’ll see

Features

Tour/Route

  • Tagged: No
  • Route typing: Recreational
  • Route features: From A to A

Don’t miss a thing in Groningen

Would you like the best tips for Groningen delivered to your inbox every month? Sign up below for the Groningen newsletter