South Loop of the De 8 van Grou Cycle and Ferry Route
This ferry route is one of the alternative versions of the popular De 8 van Grou Cycle and Ferry Route, which forms a figure 8. It is referred to as the South Loop because it includes crossings on the Fietsa Versa and Nye Skou ferries south of Grou.
The route starts in the village of Grou, a popular place for water sports in beautiful De Alde Feanen National Park in the centre of Friesland.
The next village on the route is Jirnsum. From here, you cycle to the first ferry, Fietsa Versa. The scenic crossing takes about 10 minutes and transports you to Terherne. This village, which is actually an island on Sneekermeer lake, served as the setting for the popular Dutch children’s book series, De Kameleon.
As you continue o…
This ferry route is one of the alternative versions of the popular De 8 van Grou Cycle and Ferry Route, which forms a figure 8. It is referred to as the South Loop because it includes crossings on the Fietsa Versa and Nye Skou ferries south of Grou.
The route starts in the village of Grou, a popular place for water sports in beautiful De Alde Feanen National Park in the centre of Friesland.
The next village on the route is Jirnsum. From here, you cycle to the first ferry, Fietsa Versa. The scenic crossing takes about 10 minutes and transports you to Terherne. This village, which is actually an island on Sneekermeer lake, served as the setting for the popular Dutch children’s book series, De Kameleon.
As you continue on your way, you pass two lovely terraces where you can sit and enjoy some refreshments. Next, you cycle through the villages of Terkaple and Akmarijp. In Akmarijp, you pass a beautiful bell tower. There are many of these small wooden bell towers in Friesland. You also pass the Ooievaarsdorp De Graverij stork sanctuary near the village, where Vogelbescherming Nederland, the national bird protection organisation in the Netherlands, has created a safe place for storks to nest.
From here, you cycle north again to the second ferry on the route, Nye Skou, where you can get off your bike and relax on the terrace in the tea garden. If you want some inspiration, this video shows how picturesque it is!
The last stretch of the route takes you through the village of Akkrum and back to Grou.
Opposite direction?
You can of course also cycle the route in the opposite direction. And since the junctions along the route are on the cycle network, you can start in any of the villages along the way.
De 8 van Grou cycle and ferry routes
You can find more information about the other De 8 van Grou cycle and ferry routes at www.de8vangrou.nl.
Please note! The ferries sail from April to October. Make sure you have the right money for the fare. Check the ferry sailing times on the Ferries page.
Sights on this route
Grou
Grou is a touristy yet characteristic watersports village in the heart of Friesland with a lively center.
Jirnsum
Jirnsum is een terp dorp aan de rivier de Boarne. Centraal gelegen, goed bereikbaar, voldoende faciliteiten én rust. Dat zijn een aantal redenen om hier te verblijven.
Veerpont Fietsa Versa (Tersoalsterzijl)
-Komt u aan als de pont er niet ligt? Pak per persoon (ook kleine kinderen) één van de 12 stokken als reservering voor de volgende afvaart. U kunt de schipper bellen om aan te geven dat u wilt overvaren. -Laatste afvaart: Terherne een half uur...
Terherne
Terherne is known as the Kameleon village and is an island in the Sneekermeer. On one side, you'll find the lake, and on the other side, the Terhernster ponds.
Kameleondorp Terherne
Discover the village Lenten. Look at the village where Hielke and Sietse lived.
Akmarijp Bell Tower
The wooden bell tower in Akmarijp stands in a graveyard surrounded by trees. There used to be a church here, but it was demolished in 1722. The remaining tower was demolished in 1844 and replaced by a bell tower.
Veerpont Nye Skou (Vegelinsoord)
Bij het pontje zit Theeschenkerij Nije Skou.
Akkrum
Akkrum is a charming watersports village in the heart of the Frisian lake district, near the National Park De Alde Feanen.
Grou Command Post
The former command post at Grou is now part of a museum that conserves the heritage of the organisation set up to protect the population during the Cold War. Experience the feeling of the Cold War and visit the underground bunkers.
Grou
Grou is a touristy yet characteristic watersports village in the heart of Friesland with a lively center.