Camping Zomersbuiten

Walkers and cyclists certainly won’t go short of inspo when it comes to finding trails around Groningen. The Walking in Westerwolde Foundation has marked out some 40 hiking routes ranging from family-friendly short strolls to longer yomps to the impressive fortifications at Bourtange Fortress Museum (four hours’ walk). South and East Groningen are covered with a labyrinth of cycling routes; from Westerwolde (an hour by bike) winding cycle paths cross heathland to sleepy rural villages, and mountain bikers also have a network of MTB tracks to discover. Other local sports include canoeing along the Westerwoldse Aa river (five minutes’ walk) and Ruiten Aa Canal (20 minutes’ drive) – you can rent a canoe at the Peddel en Zo (25 minutes). Alternatively, learn how to sail at Zeilschool Blauwestad or try skydiving over Groningen from Oostwold (both 20 minutes). Park Borgerswold (20 minutes) is the place for recreational fishing, waterskiing, hot-air ballooning and playing golf, or you can treat the kids to the waterslides and lazy river at Swimming Tropiqua (15 minutes). If you’d like a day off from all that sporting activity, your kids will no doubt appreciate the dinosaur trail at Landgoed Tenaxx amusement park (five minutes).