Wedde, Bourtange, Jipsinghuizen

Start (and end) your cycling day at the beautiful Gasterij Natuur Smeerling in an old, restored Saxon farm. During this beautiful route you cycle over the Musselkanaal. This was dug in 1765 by the city of Groningen from Bareveld to Ter Apel, to promote the exploitation of the high moors of the Bourtanger swamp. The canal eventually reached a length of 38 kilometers and was completed in 1856. In the nineteenth century, peat navigation made it one of the busiest shipping routes in the Netherlands. Waiting times at the locks could be up to several hours. Cafés and shops were established at these places, such as in Stadskanaal and Musselkanaal. If you cycle a bit further you will get close to the German border in beautiful Bourtange. Past and present go together perfectly in this small, atmospheric fortified city. Jipsinghuizen is also a beautiful town, here you will find a monument dedicated to job creation in Westerwolde. The provision of work was organized by NV Vereenigde Groninger Gemeenten, founded in 1924. Enjoy this historic cycling route!