The best way to enjoy the picturesque province of Groningen is by bicycle. And now it’s even easier to enjoy the raw nature of Holland’s north coast thanks to ‘Kiek over Diek’, a 90-km trail that runs from Lauwersoog, the westernmost point in the province, to Nieuwe Statenzijl, by the German border. The route takes its name from a colloquialism that translates as ‘a view across the dyke’. Of course, the dyke in question plays a major role in keeping northern Holland safe from flooding – on one side you look out over the Wadden Sea, a UNESO World Heritage site; on the other, the varied landscapes of Groningen.
- Uncover the treasures of the ‘Kiek over Diek’ route, following the Wadden Sea coastline.
- The northern coast of Groningen is home to a variety of delightful cycling routes, all meticulously planned and signposted.
- Stop off at official Tourist Transfer Points (TOP) to delve deeper into the attractions and treasures of the region.
Explore the province of Groningen by bike
Like many of Holland’s coastal regions, the north of Groningen is relatively flat, making it the ideal location for a scenic cycling vacation. As of 2016, the ‘Kiek over Diek’ cycling route, which follows the sea dyke from Lauwersoog, eastwards to Nieuwe Statenzijl, has made it even easier to explore the diverse Groningen landscape. Enjoy stunning views out over the Wadden Sea to the Wadden Islands, experience the bird-rich mudflats of the Dollard estuary, and get to know a variety of historic towns, villages and engineering wonders along the way. It’s also good to keep in mind that part of the trail overlaps with the famed 350 km+ German/Dutch Dollard Route – perfect for long-distance cyclists.
A cycling route for everyone, and every mood
As well as the primary 90-km route, ‘Kiek over Diek’ offers a variety jump-off points to showcase the best of the region. De Bosschuur trails take you past the Wadden Sea (a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest intertidal mud flats in the world) and through a bird paradise. If you’re looking for peace and picnics, then the beautiful and lush Westpolder trails are for you. Fans of busy and historical harbors can take one of the Zoutkamp, Noordpolderzijl, Eemshaven or Delfzijl trails – all of which also guarantee breath-taking natural views. Other routes to consider include the watery Pieterburen aan Zee (where you’ll also find a renowned seal sanctuary), the scenic and historic Ambonezenbosje (the last polder to be reclaimed from the Dollard), and Nieuwe Statenzijl with its stunning protected nature reserve, home to Holland’s only bird hut outside of the national sea dyke system.
Navigate the north coast
Navigating the north coast of Groningen couldn’t be easier thanks to the ‘Kiek over Diek’ cycling route. All trails are planned and meticulously signposted for you, and designed with the aim of providing maximum cultural and aesthetic bang for your biking. First things first, get to know the Tourist Transfer Points (TOP) along the route. There are 10 TOPs along ‘Kiek over Diek’, and each of them is an ideal jump-off point into new cycling or walking routes, to showcase the best of the surrounding area. What’s more, TOPs are typically spots with sufficient car and bike parking, as well as places to get food, drink or take a bathroom break. From each TOP, choose your next route, paying close attention to the junction numbers that will guide you to your destination – cycling routes are signposted in green, indicating both direction and junction numbers. So all you need to do is follow the route, from one numbered junction to the next.
Practical information
‘Kiek over Diek’ total distance: 90 km
TOPs and other connecting routes:
TOP: De Bosschuur
· Cycling route: Lauwersmeer (44 km)
Junctions: 6 89 90 88 84 85 83 50 13 46 45 4 5 6
· Walking trail: observation tower (6 km)
Junctions: 83 84 21 83
TOP: Westpolder
· Cycling route: ‘Kiek over Diek’ (33 km)
Junctions: 11 37 22 35 36 18 19 12 13 14 10 9 11
· Walking trail: ‘Zuid-Westhoek’ (10 km)
82 60 76 72 93 91 81 82
TOP: Zoutkamp
· Cycling route: De Marne (36 km)
89 6 7 10 14 13 15 24 16 94 93 92 90 89
· Walking route: De Marne (16 km)
72 40 50 51 52 65 90 91 87 70 72
TOP: Noordpolderzijl
· Cycling route: Buitendijks/Outside the dykes (30 km)
61 68 75 65 64 45 58 57 43 31 32 39 61
· Walking route: Three dykes (20 km)
21 51 31 61 63 64 (65 64) 54 55 83 72 73 75 76 71 41 42 33 21
TOP: Eemshaven
· Cycling route: A round of the Noordkaap (37 km)
43 71 72 16 73 74 12 11 67 64 65 75 68 69 43
· Walking route (20 km)
93 12 20 71 60 36 25 94 93
TOP: Delfzijl
· Cycling route: A round of Delfzijl (25 km)
87 85 87 83 79 26 66 99 98 28 27 23 25 85 87
· Walking route: Waterways and sluices (16 km)
70 61 60 30 40 70
TOP: Termunterzijl
· Cycling route: A round of Termunterzijl (38 km)
93 97 96 92 90 88 8 86 62 84 82 89 91 93
· Walking route (14 km)
52 62 61 53 54 51 41 15 52
TOP: Pieterburen aan Zee
· Cycling route: Pieterburen (25 km)
37 39 32 31 34 98 27 38 33 35 22 37
· Walking route: Art & coast (19 km)
55 11 10 23 32 50 58 55 59 46 40 60 61 64 55
TOP: Ambonezenbosje
· Cycling route: The Dollard (31 km)
22 97 93 95 88 90 92 75 20 21 22
· Walking route: Salt marshes and polder (12 km)
52 45 (49 45) 71 90 87 88 89 50 52
TOP: Nieuwe Statenzijl
· Cycling route: De Graanrepubliek (46 km or 32 km)
22 21 20 76 19 ( 14 12 10 13 54 95 74 ) 18 25 26 23
Walking route: The Dollard and villages (11 km)
51 80 70 72 15 93 94 90 71 45 51
Editor's pick: Don’t miss the city of Groningen either. More than half of all trips taken in Groningen are on a bicycle, and the city has a comprehensive network of bike paths to show for it, so you can make the most of the city’s museums, cafés and restaurants while staying loyal to your trusty wheeled steed.