Take a look

The sparse landscape of the It Bûtefjild nature reserve was formed during the Ice Age and later shaped by the impact of peat mining. Glacial and human influences resulted in a hidden gem where much of the land is concealed by reed beds.

The sound of rustling tells you there are horses nearby while otters can often be seen playing in the pristine water. Explore the area on foot, by bike, in a canoe, on a stand up paddle board or in an electric boat. Each time you will discover something very different. Enjoy the tranquil views from a canoe. In the quiet you feel that you are alone. But of course you are always accompanied by rare frogs, birds and other wildlife. When the water lilies are in full bloom here it is like being in a painting.

The landscape of this 319-hectare nature reserve is tremendously varied with wet grasslands, peat pits, swamp forests, extensive reed beds and open water. These different ecosystems provide unique habitat for plants and animals, such as the otters that swim here freely. This undiscovered area is also filled with mysteries that are recounted in local stories

and reflected in strange local place names such Lodde Hel, De Houtwiel and Japmuoiskolk. The ancient villages of Wetterwâlden surround the It Bûtefjild nature reserve like a horseshoe and they in turn are surrounded by water and woods.

The new sailing route through the area is part of the National Ecological Network, which connects the Grutte Wielen nature reserve near Leeuwarden with Lauwersmeer National Park on the border between Groningen and Friesland. (On part of the new sailing route only electric boats are allowed.)

You can enter the It Bûtefjild nature reserve from the De Houtwiel nature reserve (Schwartzenbergloane - Broeksterwald), the Grikelân en Turkije nature reserve (Boskwei - Readtsjerk) and the Grutte Wielen nature reserve (Westerdyk 23 - Ryptsjerk).

You can also hire a boat, canoe or stand up paddle locally and sale into the reserve.

Here you will find It Bûtefjild Nature Reserve

Address:: Ottemawei
Hurdegaryp

Plan your route

Distance:

Route Plan your route

Hemelplatform Achter de Zwarten
Hemelplatform Achter de Zwarten
Lauwersoog

Sights, Nature reserve

Sights
Puur Terschelling
Puur Terschelling
Oosterend

Nature reserve, Beach, Sea, Other outdoor sports, Farmer’s golf, Arrangement, Active and Sporty, Nature and Recreation, Excursion, Day arrangement

Nature reserve
Polder Koarnwert
Polder Koarnwert
Cornwerd

Nature reserve

Nature reserve
Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart
Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart
Donkerbroek

Bridge, Landscape with Waterways

Bridge
Skiedingsboskje en Pingo’s A7
Skiedingsboskje en Pingo’s A7
Drachtstercompagnie

Nature reserve

Nature reserve
The White Lake
The White Lake
Beetsterzwaag

Nature reserve, Lake, Ice rink

Nature reserve
Heerenveen
Heerenveen
Heerenveen

Sight, Peat landscapes

Sight
De Bosheuvel Sand Hill
De Bosheuvel Sand Hill
Beetsterzwaag

Nature reserve, Forest

Nature reserve
Bancopolder
Bancopolder
Lemmer

Nature reserve

Nature reserve
Vakantiehuis Hof van Elsloo
Vakantiehuis Hof van Elsloo
Elsloo

Catering, Nature reserve, Group accommodation, Holidays with care, Wellness, Group Activities, Arrangement, Nature and Recreation, Education and courses, Accommodation arrangement

Catering

Rondje Feanwâlden – Bûtefjild
Rondje Feanwâlden – Bûtefjild
(14.9 km)
Feanwâlden

Hike

Hike
Fietsroute Goddeloze Singel en Goddeloos Tolhuis
Fietsroute Goddeloze Singel en Goddeloos Tolhuis
(30.2 km)
Feanwâlden

Recreational, E-bike

Recreational
Quatrebras – Aldtsjerk | Section 2 of the Circular Route through the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden National Landscape conservation area
Quatrebras – Aldtsjerk | Section 2 of the Circular Route through the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden National Landscape conservation area
(19.9 km)
Quatrebras

Hike

Hike
Bûtefjild | Electric only vaarroute
Bûtefjild | Electric only vaarroute
(16.9 km)
De Westereen

Kano/Kayak, Sup route

Kano/Kayak
Rondje Fryske Wâlden en het Burgumer Mar
Rondje Fryske Wâlden en het Burgumer Mar
(46.4 km)
Feanwâlden

Recreational, E-bike

Recreational
Duurzame vaarroute Grien Blau | Noordoost Friesland
Duurzame vaarroute Grien Blau | Noordoost Friesland
(16.9 km)
Leeuwarden

Kano/Kayak, Sup route, Sloop

Kano/Kayak
Fietsen door het Friese Bûtefjild
Fietsen door het Friese Bûtefjild
(50.3 km)
Feanwâlden

Recreational, E-bike

Recreational