Cycling along the Groninger wierden is like cycling through an open-air museum: you drive straight through history and in the meantime you will be amazed. The 'Welcome to the Weed' cycling routes combine Groningen hospitality with one of the oldest cultural landscapes in Europe: the Weed Villages. Wierden, also known as mounds, are man-made hills, which kept their feet dry during floods. The most beautiful villages, churches and stopping places have been here for centuries. These are routes where you can take your time and enjoy the peace and space.

The app shows you where all the sights can be found and alerts you to interesting Wierden facts. In the "Stories of the mounds" the inhabitants of the mounds are central, from then and now. This way you can learn more about the landscape and the people who live there. The churches are there, cozy places to hangout, accommodation options, bicycle rental and charging points.

There are two distances per route: one around 40 km, the other around 55 km. The routes follow the bicycle junction network as much as possible. You can start at any point. In the app you get tips for convenient starting places with plenty of parking.

At the first "Welcome to the wierde" route you will cycle past the local village of Leens with its stately deposit Verhildersum. Borgen are the Groningen variant of country houses and castles. Then through the old fishing village of Zoutkamp and the picturesque Niehove. Here you can eat deliciously at restaurant Eisseshof. On to the iconic mound of Ezinge. World famous archaeological excavations have been carried out here. Some of the finds can be found in the local Museum Wierdenland. In the romantic village of Garnwerd you will find the narrowest street in the Netherlands with the hollyhocks on both sides, and you can sit on the terrace on the water.

The second route leads along the old bank of the River Fivel. The street image of the row of villages Rottum, Kantens, Toornwerd and Middelstum has hardly changed in recent centuries. A trip to Borg grounds Ewsum is very worthwhile because of the historic gardens and the cozy terrace. In Winsum you can enjoy regional products in one of the oldest hostels in the Netherlands. Open Air Museum Het Hogeland in Warffum takes you back in time. You see and experience how people from Groningen used to live, work and live. And you can enjoy an old-fashioned cup of coffee with cake or lunch on the terrace of the old school.

The third "Welcome to the Weed" route takes you back to the Middle Ages. The old fortified town of Appingedam is known for the imposing Nicolaïkerk and the Hanging Kitchens. A view from the water with the tour boat is recommended. Then the route passes the most beautiful medieval churches, all of which are free to visit. The churches of Krewerd, Oosterwijtwerd and Zeerijp are not to be missed. Museum Helmantel in Westeremden is a must for painting enthusiasts. Do you already smell the sea air? That is possible, from Bierum the route goes a bit over the dike.

The cycling routes "Welcome to the wierde" are part of Groeten from Groningen. This online tourist cultural platform is full of inspiration for outings in Groningen. The routes were created by the Noordgedacht Foundation and subsidized by the province of Groningen.

Our thanks go to Museum Wierdenland, Stichting Oude Groninger churches, Openluchtmuseum Het Hoogeland, Landgoed Verhildersum, Het Groninger Landschap, Waddenland, Enne Jansheerd, Top van Groningen, the test cyclists and all entrepreneurs and museums along the route for their cooperation.

Team:
- Marleen Godlieb (project management, editing, content)
- Aletta de Boer (graphic design)
- Esther Walstra (Tales of the mound)
- Anna de Vries (content, editorial)
- BlackCup (app)
- Christian Heydenrijk (website)
- Wilco van der Laan (photography)
- Annet Nieuwhof (editing Wierden facts)
- Marketing Central Groningen (administration)