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Fisherman route

(39 km)

Along the Zuiderzee, there are beautiful harbors and fishing villages where you can enjoy a delicious fish dish. Like Laaksum. This village is called the smallest fishing village in Europe.

IJsselmeer
With this route, you cycle along the coast of the IJsselmeer. Formerly the Zuiderzee: an inland sea that existed from the late Middle Ages until 1932. After that, the Afsluitdijk was constructed, and everything changed. Because then, fishing along the Frisian coast was almost over, including in Laaksum. Today, the village is an attraction for its beauty and location on the IJsselmeer.

Change from sea to lake and the drastic consequences
The Afsluitdijk had drastic consequences …

Along the Zuiderzee, there are beautiful harbors and fishing villages where you can enjoy a delicious fish dish. Like Laaksum. This village is called the smallest fishing village in Europe.

Change from sea to lake and the drastic consequences
The Afsluitdijk had drastic consequences for both the fishing industry and the ecological environment. With the transformation from the Zuiderzee to the IJsselmeer, the saltwater gradually turned into freshwater. The IJssel river brought in freshwater, and the sluices discharged the saltwater into the Wadden Sea. Within a year and a half, the water was completely fresh, which had a huge impact on local fishing. Thousands of fishermen, who previously earned their living on the Zuiderzee, faced a major challenge, as most fish species could not survive in fresh water. Only a few species like eel, zander, and smelt adapted. Many fishermen sought other sources of income or asked for financial support through the Zuiderzee Act. Some switched to poultry farming or agriculture. This change led to unemployment among fish traders, sailmakers, and shipbuilders.

Cliffs
On the coast of the IJsselmeer are the three cliffs of Gaasterland: Oudemirdumerklif, Mirnserklif, and Rode Klif.

At the Rode Klif, there is a stone commemorating a battle between the Hollanders and Frisians in 1345. The Oudemirdumerklif can be reached via the Minne Minnespaad, located on the Dollen. This path is named after the last "fiskerman" (fisherman) of Oudemirdum. Every day, Minne walked from his house at the beginning of the path with his nets on his shoulders to his boat in the Zuiderzee. Minne had his own sheltered harbor until 1939 when he stopped because there was no more eel. A little further on was the sheltered harbor of his brother, Inne Minnes.

Gaasterland
With this route, you cycle not only along the beautiful coast but also through the hilly, wooded landscape of Gaasterland. You cycle past the Rijsterbos. Take a moment here to make a beautiful walk through the area.

Visitor Center Mar and Klif
You start and end the route at the Visitor Center Mar and Klif. Discover everything about the area, also known as National Landscape Southwest Friesland (Nationaal Landschap Zuidwest Friesland). Learn more about Gaasterland, the IJsselmeer coast, the peat and (Frisian) lake area, and the mound and clay area (north of Sneek/Bolsward).

Sights on this route

Mar en Klif Visitor Center

In the visitor centre, you will discover many aspects of National Landscape Southwest Fryslân

Oudemirdum

Oudemirdum is a charming village located amidst the forests of Southwest Friesland in the Gaasterland region.

Visit Oudemirdum

Oudemirdumer Klif (cliff at Oudemirdum)

The cliff at Oudemirdum is 6 metres high. It was formed during the last ice age but one when the land was pushed up by enormous glaciers that advanced from Scandinavia and deposited large boulders in Gaasterland.

Séfonsterpolder

Mirnserklif

If you set off from the Rijsterbos forest and walk in the direction of Lake IJsselmeer you will come to the cliff at Mirns. It is a place that attracts kite surfers, kite flyers and beach lovers. The cliff was formed during the last ice age but one.

Mirns Bell Tower

In the graveyard in the village of Mirns there is a bell tower with a hip roof. It was built in 1953, after an American bomber crashed into the old bell tower in 1943, killing everyone on board.

IJsselmeer

Het IJsselmeer is ontstaan na het voltooien van de afsluitdijk, de vroegere Zuiderzee werd hierdoor opgesplitst in de Waddenzee en het IJsselmeer.

Laaksum

Visit Laaksum, the picturesque fishing village on the IJsselmeer.

Harbor of Laaksum

The harbor of Laaksum is an idyllic spot in Southwest Friesland. We often refer to it as the smallest fishing harbor in Europe.

Zwemtrap Laaksum

Duik vanuit Laaksum het IJsselmeer in en voel de vrijheid!

Rode Klif (Red Cliff) at Lake IJsselmeer

At the edge of Lake IJsselmeer there is a red cliff that is 10 metres high. It was formed during the last ice age but one when the land was pushed up by glaciers that advanced from Scandinavia. The forces exerted by the ice created hills in the landscape.

It Suderstrand near Stavoren

The clear bathing water invites you to take a refreshing dive and is also safe for the little ones due to the gently sloping bottom. The beach is within walking distance of the welcoming city of Stavoren. And when the day is done, enjoy a drink or s...

Paviljoen De Potvis

Tussenstop: bezoek het paviljoen

Stavoren (Starum)

Stavoren (or Starum as we say in Friesland) is very much the main city of the IJsselmeer, being enclosed by the lake on three sides. It is also the oldest city of Friesland, founded around 300 BC at a waterway, and gaining city rights in the 11th century.

Visit Stavoren

Molkwerum (Molkwar)

Aan de rand van het IJsselmeer ligt Molkwerum, een sfeervol dorp met een rijke historie.

Bezoek Molkwerum

Museum 'Het Bakkerswinkeltje'

Ontdek in Museum 'Het Bakkerswinkeltje' de rijke historie van het vroegere Friese Doolhof Molkwerum.

Koudum

Koudum is centrally located in Southwest Friesland. This makes it an ideal base for your next vacation.

Visit Koudum

Spar Flapper

Tussenstop: bezoek de Spar