Frisian Water Line II

This cycling route takes you past places where fortifications were rapidly constructed along the central section of the Frisian Water Line during the Eighty Years’ War in Southeast Friesland.

Start at a TOP
You can also start this route at the Tourist Transfer Point (Toeristisch Overstap Punt or ‘TOP’) in Oldeberkoop. From there, cycle to Junction 91 then Junctions 93 - 71 - 78 - 31 - 34 - 25 - 47 - 54 - 56 - 28 in that order.

About the Frisian Water Line 
The Frisian Water Line was built shortly after 1580 and stretched from the Zuiderzee inlet in the west to the Groningen Water Line in the east.

During the Eighty Years’ War with Spain and a century later when the Prince-Bishop of Münster, also known as ‘Bombing Bernhard’, attempted to invade Groningen, the land here was flooded. The only way to get to Leeuwarden was to pass through the strategically located forts, also known as ‘sconces’. So the capital of Friesland was protected. 

This cycling route takes you past places along the central section of the Frisian Water Line where the forts stood. You learn more about the Terbandsterschans and Schoterschans forts near the town of Heerenveen and the Bekhofschans and Tolbrugschans forts near the village of Oldeberkoop. Some of the fortifications can still be seen in the landscape. 

See more of the Frisian Water Line

The Frisian Water Line stretched from the Zuiderzee inlet to Groningen. If you would like to see all of it, there are two other cycling routes you can follow.
Cycling route - Part I (East section)
Cycling route - Part III (West section)