Your route 1
Pitstops 2
Print or download 3
Open the route in our app
Open Cycle route Historic Westerwolde in onze app
Next step
Last step

Cycle route Historic Westerwolde

length
Length
53.19 km
theme
Theme
cultural, villages, historical
Duration
Duration
3 hours 26 minutes
route contains
Route contains
23 nodes

Bourtange, Wedde, Jipsinghuizen

During this beautiful route, you cycle along the Musselkanaal canal. This was dug by the city of Groningen from Bareveld to Ter Apel in 1765 to promote the reclamation of the raised bog of the Bourtang swamp. The canal eventually acquired a length of 38 kilometres and was completed in 1856. The peat trade made it one of the busiest shipping routes in the Netherlands in the nineteenth century. At the locks, waiting times could reach several hours. Cafés and shops were then established at these places, such as in Stadskanaal and Musselkanaal.

In 1580, none other than William of Orange ordered the construction of a fort on a sand ridge in the Bourtang swamp. The aim was to prevent the Spaniards from supplying the city of Groningen. When the fortress was no longer needed in the 19th century, an agricultural village arose, built with the stones of the old buildings. Decay continued, until the municipality of Vlagtwedde took the initiative to reconstruct the fortress. Ramparts were raised again, moats dug and soldiers' barracks were built. Imagine yourself back in the year 1742 in a fortress that was never taken.

Another beautiful place is Jipsinghuizen. Here you will find a monument dedicated to the work relief in Westerwolde. The work relief was organised by the NV Vereenigde Groninger Gemeenten, founded in 1924.

Start (and end) your cycling day at the beautiful Gasterij Natuurlijk Smeerling in a restored Saxon farmhouse, and enjoy this beautiful, historic cycle route!

Write a review

Did you cycle this route? Share your experience with us and other users

Select the number of stars that you award this route (based on a maximum of 5 stars) and describe your experience

For safety, we want to make sure that you are a human being.

Here you can expand your route with pitstops

length
Length
53.19 km
theme
Theme
cultural, villages, historical
Duration
Duration
3 hours 26 minutes
route contains
Route contains
23 nodes

No pitstops added yet

Congratulations on your cycling route!

length
Length
53.19 km
theme
Theme
cultural, villages, historical
Duration
Duration
3 hours 26 minutes
route contains
Route contains
23 nodes

Select the desired size below

Bicycle route map

Bicycle route map

With this option you only receive the extensive bicycle route map.

Print
Download
Mail
Button point format

Button point format

With this option you only receive the concise junctions.

Print
Download
Mail
Fietsroutekaart + Beschrijving

Bicycle route map + Description

With this extended option you receive everything you need for a carefree bike ride.

Print
Download
Mail
GPX bestanden

GPX files

With this extended option you receive everything you need for a carefree bike ride.

Download
Mail
Next step
Last step