Skip to main content
Skip map elements

Cycling between Tsjonger and Tsjûkemar

(37 km)

|

A cycling route through a piece of undiscovered Friesland, and certainly worth it. You cycle along lakes and canals and through the polder landscape between Tsjonger and Tsjûkemar created by peat bogs. Characteristic are the reed lands, tree walls and regional villages. Along the way you will see channels, canals and small pools of water that attract many birds. Furthermore, you will mainly find peace and space here. So this is the perfect environment to unwind.

Check the map for all stops along the way. 

Locations on this route

  • Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world

    Visit the largest steam pumping station in the world!

    Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world
  • Lemmer Beach

    Lemmer Beach (also known as Lemsterstrand) is on the east shore of Lake IJsselmeer.

    Lemmer Beach
  • 51
  • Lemmer

    Lemmer is the ultimate combination of beach, coziness, and UNESCO World Heritage.

    Visit Lemmer

    Lemmer
  • Tourist Information Lemmer

    Tourist Information Lemmer welcomes you. With us, you will find tourist information about the region, such as places of interest, events, accommodations, cruises and more.

    Tourist Information Lemmer
  • 50
  • 49
  • 66
  • 69
  • 64
  • 63
  • Delfstrahuizen-Echtenerbrug

    Delfstrahuizen, together with Echtenerbrug, forms a twin village on the edge of Lake Tjeukemeer.

    Visit Delfstrahuizen-Echtenerbrug

    Delfstrahuizen-Echtenerbrug
  • 60
  • 61
  • Small beach on Lake Tjeukemeer in Delfstrahuizen

    A sandy beach with shallow water that gradually gets deeper. A spectacular view of Lake Tjeukemeer. All you need is a bucket and spade for a perfect day at the beach! This gorgeous beach is also very popular with older children.

    Small beach on Lake Tjeukemeer in Delfstrahuizen
  • Jacobuskerk Church in Delfstrahuizen

    The Jacobuskerk church was designed by the architect J. Schreur and built in 1908. An extension was subsequently added to the back of the church. The church was designed in neo-Renaissance style, including a gable tower with a constricted spire.

    Jacobuskerk Church in Delfstrahuizen
  • 62
  • 73
  • 61
  • 60
  • Echten Pumping Station

    The Echten Pumping Station is uniquely situated on the south bank of Lake Tjeukemeer, next to the foot and cycle path that runs along the dike. From here, there is a panoramic view of the whole of Lake Tjeukemeer.

    Echten Pumping Station
  • Tsjûke and Marchje statue

    On the foot and cycle path on the south bank of Lake Tjeukemeer near the former steam-powered pumping station in Echten, there is a statue of two ‘suskes’ (the Frisian word for ‘sisters’) that tells the tragic story of Tsjûke and Marchje.

    Tsjûke and Marchje statue
  • 59
  • Tjeukemeer (Tsjûkemar)

    The Tjeukemeer is the largest inland lake in Friesland.

    Tjeukemeer (Tsjûkemar)
  • Strandje aan het Tjeukemeer (Oosterzee)

    Strandje aan het Tjeukemeer (Oosterzee)
  • 58
  • 48
  • 47
  • Eesterga Bell Tower and Graveyard with Mausoleum

    The surrounding tall trees make it easy to cycle straight past. But it is worth stopping to see this listed bell tower and graveyard with a mausoleum.

    Eesterga Bell Tower and Graveyard with Mausoleum
  • Vlindertuin Lemmer

    Butterfly Garden Lemmer is a ‘strúntún’ (wander garden) in an urban area.

    Vlindertuin Lemmer
  • 51
  • Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world

    Visit the largest steam pumping station in the world!

    Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world

Directions

Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world

Visit the largest steam pumping station in the world!

Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world

The wetland area attracts many birds and characteristic are the reed beds, tree walls (hedgerows) and local villages. Furthermore, you will find peace and space here. So this is the perfect environment to unwind.

The start is at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal, the largest steam driven pumping station in the world. A magnificent experience of steam, architecture and water. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 and has celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020!
You can visit this beautiful Cathedral of Steam all year round. More information, current opening hours and entrance fees can be found on the website www.woudagemaal.nl

You cycle through Lemmer, a popular water sports village. The waterway through Lemmer is a busy connection between the Frisian lakes and the IJsselmeer. You will find cosy terraces, restaurants and shops. Other villages you will visit include Bantega, Echtenerbrug and Echten, so-called regional villages, which were created by the peat harvesting.

A beautiful cycle path takes you along the banks of the Tsjûkemar, the largest natural lake in Friesland. There is a legend about the origin of the Tsjûkemar:
Two sisters had a farm together in a place that is now in the lake. One day, a fire broke out. The women were separated by smoke and fire and they desperately shouted each other's names. Maybe you'll hear them now, if you listen here: “Tsjûke! Marchje! Tsjûke! Marchje...” And so, according to this legend, the name of the Tsjûkemar was born.
The protagonists Tsjûke and Marchje were immortalized on the shore of the lake near Echten, near the former steam mill from 1913, which had to keep the Polder van Echten dry.

The village of Oosterzee was once a place of prestige. In the 18th century, for example, the house of law still stood and now, among other things, the Koopmanshuis still testifies. Count of Holland Willem I would have had a castle here around 1200. The little mill Oosterzeeburen, renovated by inhabitants, is now a meeting place and birdwatching hut. A little further you will find in Eesterga a bell chair dating from 1617.

Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world

Visit the largest steam pumping station in the world!

Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world
  • 51
  • 50
  • 49
  • 66
  • 69
  • 64
  • 63
  • 60
  • 61
  • 62
  • 73
  • 61
  • 60
  • 59
  • 58
  • 48
  • 47
  • 51