From the endless horizons in the Oldambt to the nature in Lauwersmeer Lake National Park; there’s a lot to see, do and experience on the Wadden coast of Groningen. The Waddenland with its ancient mound landscape that together with man and sea gave form to the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Eems-Dollard is an example of a new economic landscape in perfect balance with world-class nature. And of course the dynamic landscape of the Wadden Sea itself. Take a Kiek op ‘d Diek (peek on the dike).
Experience the dynamics of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site along the Groninger coast. Discover the surprising beauty of the marshes and the polders. Walk on the seabed when the Wadden runs dry and the seals wait on the sand banks for the tide to bring in new food. Watch in amazement as thousands of migrating birds enjoy a snack on the Wad and along the edges of the Dollard. Taste the surf and turf.
More about the world heritage siteIt doesn’t get really dark anywhere any more. With its intense darkness, Dark Sky Park Lauwersoog is a magnificent exception. Come gaze at the stars, spot bats or cycle along the ‘darkest bicycle path’ of the Netherlands.
The marsh landscape outside of the dike is one of the landscapes that has earned the Wadden Sea its World Heritage Site status. Travel through time and experience the Wadden coast as it must have been before the dikes were built.
Nature has free rein on the Punt van Reide. A peninsula outside of the dike where terns, common redshanks, pied avocets and common ringed plovers enjoy an oasis of tranquillity. And here the Wad is a crèche for seals.
Leave the world behind as you follow the slippery path to the bird watching hut near Nieuwe Statenzijl. The kiekkaaste (bird hide) offers views over mudflats with foraging birds and the occasional harbour porpoise in the sea.
This is a lovely hiking trail through an old landscape and past noteworthy sites that tell an interesting story, like the...
Behind the Wadden Sea dike ancient cultivated landscapes such as the Reitdiep area can be found where once the meandering Hunze connected the city of Groningen to the sea. Back then the tides still had a big influence on the surrounding lands. The many mounds also remind us of the times when the Wadden Sea regularly submerged the land during high tide. Reclaiming the land along the Eems-Dollard continued well into the 20th century. This is how the Graanrepubliek (grane republic) originated, the land of endless horizons.
More about the water heritageOnce the Hunze meandered through the landscape between marsh and city. Throughout the centuries the river has become canalised, turning it into a monument of historic waterworks.
Once the Hunze meandered through the landscape between marsh and city. Throughout the centuries the river has become canalised, turning it into a monument of historic waterworks.
The first Dutch Delta Design. The terps and mounds show how the first inhabitants of the Wadden coast protected themselves against the sea. Not far to climb for a peak experience.
The Carel Coenraad polder is the last polder to be constructed in the Oldambt as an employment project in the 1920s. The mudflat workers’ barracks have a surprising history.
Are you brave enough? Walking through a dark forest full of unexpected sounds. Especially if it's windy.
Nothing tops Groningen, and this particularly applies to the Noordkaap. Noordkaap is the northernmost tip of the Netherlands mainland. ‘De Hemelpoort’ work of art marks this place, which provides an unobstructed view of the water and the infinite skies above the Wadden.
Because Noordpolderzijl is one of the few places where the Groninger wad can be reached by car or coach via the public road and also has various facilities, it is an ideal starting point and / or destination for mudflat hiking.
