Noordlaren: Hiking and History

Noordlaren offers several specific perspectives for a stay: hikes of varying lengths, cycling around Zuidlaardermeer, and archaeological and architectural landmarks. If you are looking for a hotel in Noordlaren, these themes can help shape your plans for the days ahead. Hunebed G1, the Korenschoof mill and the farms on Zuinigstraat and Kerkstraat each tell a different story; the route details also make it possible to compare distances and times.

Compare hikes by distance and duration

The “Noordlaarder es” hiking route is about 6.5 kilometres long and takes approximately two hours. It starts and ends at the car park by the harbour in Noordlaren. The route can be extended by taking a stretch through the Besloten Venen. The hike through Noordlaarderbos is 5.8 kilometres long and takes 1 hour and 9 minutes. The two walks therefore differ in both distance and stated duration.

Another option is the Hunzedal and Hondsrug hiking route, which is described in 12- or 7.5-kilometre variants. One of its route locations is Bartholomeuskerk Noordlaren. Compare the distances with the time you would like to set aside for your hikes; for the Noordlaarder es route, both the distance and approximate duration are provided.

Hunebed G1 and traces of the past in the landscape

Hunebed G1, also known as De Steenbarg, lies southwest of Noordlaren village centre, near the border with the province of Drenthe and between the stream valleys of the Drentsche Aa and the Hunze. The sandy track “Weg langs het Hunebed” leads to the hunebed. It is the only visible hunebed in the province of Groningen.

Noordlaarderbos also preserves traces of earlier times: its ancient burial mounds date from before the Middle Ages and are at least 2,500 years old. The hiking route through Noordlaarderbos also passes Galgenberg. This distinctive hill is associated with the execution of criminals in the past. The burial mounds and Galgenberg thus represent different historical connections found in the forest landscape.

Mill and historic farms

Korenschoof is a grain mill built in 1849. Together with the adjoining sheds, it was designated a Rijksmonument in 1973. A volunteer miller still regularly operates the mill. Its construction date, listed-monument status and regular operation each offer a different insight into the history of Korenschoof.

The farms also offer specific architectural points of reference: a hall-house-type farm with elements dating from the 17th century stands on Zuinigstraat. In the centre of Noordlaren, on picturesque Kerkstraat, there is an Oldambtster farm dating from around 1850. The two farms are therefore distinguished by different building types and dates.

Hondsrug and cycling route

In the Midlaren-Noordlaren area, Hondsrug is barely 2.5 kilometres wide. It is precisely this narrow width that gives the area its particularly diverse landscapes. The key point of reference for understanding the regional landscape is therefore not its great extent, but the narrow width of the ridge.

The “Levend verleden van Haren” cycling route has an information board in Noordlaren. The Rondje Zuidlaardermeer cycling loop offers two options after Noordlaren: you can return to the starting point on the electric bicycle ferry, or ride an additional loop around the Onnerpolder and Westerbroeksemadepolder. If you plan to take the ferry, check its operating times in advance.

Discover more destinations: Haren.

Go to the main travel overview: Haren.