Grou combines activities on the water with nature and cultural experiences. The Pikmar, also known as Pikmeer, borders the village; Grou is also a gateway to De Alde Feanen National Park. When planning your stay, you can therefore first consider whether you want to focus mainly on water sports, cycling and hiking, or local history. This is also a useful starting point when looking for a hotel in Grou.
Water, nature and tours
In Grou, you can enjoy activities in a sloop, on a SUP board or in a sailboat. From the Pikmar, visitors can explore other Frisian lakes by boat. Grou also serves as a gateway to De Alde Feanen National Park and as a starting point for cyclists, hikers and water sports enthusiasts. These different interests can be enjoyed separately: water sports in the village, boat trips to other lakes, or time in the national park’s natural surroundings.
The De Burd ferry runs between Grou and the island of De Burd. On the island, visitors can hike, enjoy water sports or relax. If you plan to use the ferry, check the schedule in advance; schedules may change. One cycling route is 45 kilometres long and follows a figure-eight shape. These options offer different ways to spend your time, without all needing to be part of the same outing.
The first SKS Skûtsjesilen races also have a connection to the waters near Grou: traditionally, they take place on the Pikmar every year. If you want to plan your trip around this event, check the dates for your intended visit. The tradition of beginning each year on the Pikmar and planning for the specific dates are two separate considerations.
Cultural heritage and local history
In Grou, Sint Piter’s birthday is celebrated on 21 February. In 2018, the Sint Piter festival was added to the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands. This fixed date in February gives the cultural experience a different seasonal setting from the SKS races, which traditionally begin on the Pikmar every year. If a particular event is important to your trip, take its date into account when planning.
The historic heritage also includes the Rijksmonumenten (national heritage sites): there are more than 43 in and around the village. The “Paad troch ‘Grou” walking route passes 21 beautiful, old and numerous Rijksmonumenten. This means the built heritage can be experienced as more than just a number; the route connects several of these monuments in a circular walk. The figure refers to the monuments along this route, while the larger total covers Grou and its surroundings.
The former command post in Grou was officially opened for operation in 1967. Today, it is part of a museum that preserves the heritage of the organisation established to protect the population during the Cold War. The Hert fan Fryslân Museum offers another perspective on the region: it is located on the ground floor of the former town hall at Stationsweg 1 in Grou and, among other things, features the waters around the village as a local theme.
What to focus on when planning your stay
When deciding whether Grou is a suitable place to stay during your trip, you can weigh water and nature activities against cultural attractions. Options range from water sports and boat trips to hiking and cycling, as well as local history and regional cultural heritage. Visitors can get personal advice from a local at the TIP in Grou. This can be helpful if you want to decide on site which of these themes you would like to shape your stay. For a trip centred on Sint Piter, 21 February is the key date; for trips to De Burd, checking the ferry schedule is part of practical planning.
Discover more destinations: Terherne, Akkrum, Aldeboarn, Jirnsum, Warten, Raerd
Go to the main travel overview: Boarnsterhim.
