Skip map tab stops

Water Route

Limited access

(47.5 km)

This route allows you to appreciate the beauty of the many stretches of water in this part of Friesland from the bank. Many water sports are offered in the area, but cycling is also a wonderful way to take in the scenery as you cycle past waterways, lakes and rural landscapes.

Water always adds beauty to the countryside. But excessively high water levels can be problematic. The Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal in Lemmer is the oldest steam-driven pumping station still in operation. When water levels rise too high, it is fired up to pump away the excess. You can visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site near junction 46 on the route.

Sights on this route

Tourist Information Joure

The tourist information shop in Joure is located in a beautiful listed historic building at Midstraat 99. At this unique location you will also find Museum Joure, featuring a coffee room, a historical collection and the museum shop De Witte Os.

Joure (De Jouwer)

Joure is the village without city antics.

Visit Joure

Iepenarboretum

In Joure, along the old road to Sneek and at the exit of the A6 Joure-West, you can find the largest elm garden (elm arboretum) of Europe.

Langweerder Wielen (Langwarder Wielen)

The Langweerder Wielen is located to the west of Joure.

The Langweer Mill

In this beautiful and in 2010 completely renovated mill you can now spend the night in nostalgic style.

Langweer

Langweer is a true watersports destination. From this centrally located village in the Frisian lake area, you can sail in all directions.

Visit Langweer

Osinga State

The Osinga State is a stately house opposite the church in Langweer, consisting of multiple residential floors, tall windows, and an imposing entrance staircase.

Langweer Church

Several churches have stood on this site. The first was built at the start of the 13th century and destroyed by a fire in 1517. The bell tower church that stands here today was built in 1777.

Legemeer Bell Tower

The bell tower in the village of Legemeer stands in a graveyard surrounded by a canal. The bell tower we see today is a replica of the original bell tower built in 1720, which was destroyed by an autumn storm in 1972.

11Fountains Sloten

The ‘Peewit’ shows a girl standing on the shoulders of a man. She holds a bird in her hand. Under the man’s feet a disheveled pile of buckets, jerry cans and barrels form the base of the fountain.

Sloten (Sleat)

Sloten (or Sleat as we say in Friesland) is the smallest Elfsteden town in Friesland. This walled mini-city is also called sipelstêd (Frisian for onion city) thanks to the unique shape of an onion.

Museum Sloten

In the middle of Sloten – a truly enchanting museum: experience the rich history of the city and the magical world of magic lanterns.

Woudagemaal: largest steam pumping station in the world

Visit the largest steam pumping station in the world!

Lemmer

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

Lemmer Beach

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

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.

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.

Follega Bell Tower

The Follega bell tower stands in a small round graveyard. It has a four-sided dome roof and houses a bell that is 78 cm in diameter, which was cast by P. van den Ghein in 1596.

Doniaga Bell Tower

The Doniaga bell tower stands on a raised graveyard surrounded by trees. The bell tower houses a swinging bell cast by Aernt Butendiic in 1460.

Sint Nicolaasga (Sint Nyk)

Sint Nicolaasga is a village situated amidst the woods, the Tjeukemeer, and the Langweerder Wielen.

St Nicholas Church in Sint Nicolaasga

The Roman Catholic parish church in the village of Sint Nicolaasga is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra. The church is a neo-Gothic cruciform basilica built in 1887 according to plans prepared by the Frisian architect Jan Doedes van der Weide.