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Tsjûkemar Loop | Boating Route

(55.5 km)

This boating route takes you across the largest inland lake in Friesland: the Tsjûkemar (Tjeukemeer in Dutch). The area around this route is full of peaceful, spacious and scenic places. Discover the Frisian Lakes!

Along the way you'll pass through small villages as well as Friesland’s largest village: Heerenveen.

The Waterland van Friesland region is home to 24 official Frisian Lakes. Besides the Tjeukemeer, this route also takes you past the Langweerder Wielen and the Goaiingarypster Puollen.

There are many stories about the origins of the Tjeukemeer. Was it created by people? And where does the name Tsjûkemar come from? On this route, you’ll learn about the local legend of the sisters Tsjûke and Marchje.

Don’t own a motorboat or sailing boat? No problem — it’s easy to rent one in Friesland.

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Along the way you'll pass through small villages as well as Friesland’s largest village: Heerenveen.

The Waterland van Friesland region is home to 24 official Frisian Lakes. Besides the Tjeukemeer, this route also takes you past the Langweerder Wielen and the Goaiingarypster Puollen.

Don’t own a motorboat or sailing boat? No problem — it’s easy to rent one in Friesland.

This route is just over 55 kilometres. If you sail at an average of 6 km/h, it takes about 9 hours to complete. But it’s even more fun to take your time and spend a few days along the water — sleep in your boat and explore as you go!

This route includes both fixed high bridges and bridges that open. For up-to-date information about clearance heights and bridge opening times, check the Brugtijden page.

Need fuel? Choose blue diesel. Or go fully electric! Bringing snacks is fine, but make sure your packaging doesn’t blow overboard. And if you spot litter along the way — take it with you. Read more about sustainable boating in Friesland.

There are many places to moor along this route. You'll find free nature mooring spots (called Marrekrite) where you can even stay overnight for up to 3 nights. Moor on an uninhabited island in the Tjeukemeer or on the Sneekermeer. You can also spend the night in a guest harbour in one of the watersports towns like Akkrum, Heerenveen, Delfstrahuizen-Echtenerbrug, Langweer or Terherne. Find mooring locations and route info in the handy boating apps.

The waterway classification for this route is BZM, meaning it’s suitable for large motor yachts and sailing boats with a maximum draft of 1.9 metres.

Sights on this route

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.

Akkrum

Akkrum is a charming watersports village in the heart of the Frisian lake district, near the National Park De Alde Feanen.

Visit Akkrum

Aanlegsteiger SN66

Publieke aanlegplaats op de Hendrikspolle, een eilandje in het Hearrefeanster Kanaal.

Kapelle van Haskerdijken

De kapelle van Haskerdijken is een oud kerkje dat er al eeuwen staat. Vroeger was het een kapel dat bij een klooster hoorde, vandaar dat het nu nog steeds De Kapelle wordt genoemd.

Heerenveen

Heerenveen is the most sports-oriented and largest village in Friesland!

Visit Heerenveen

De Heide Recreational Area

De Heide is a recreational area on the outskirts of the town of Heerenveen. Heidemeer Lake in the middle of the recreational area has a large sandy beach and is a lovely place to swim and enjoy the sun.

Boulder in Rottum

The largest boulder in Friesland lies near the little village of Rottum in Southwest Friesland. It was deposited by glacier ice that advanced from the Uppland region of Sweden during the Saale Ice Age 200,000 years ago.

De Tjonger

De Tjonger (ook wel De Kuinder in het Stellinwerfs) is een oud riviertje dat door Zuidoost Friesland loopt van grofweg Kuinre naar Oosterwolde. Het is onderdeel van de oude Turfroute, die nu voor recreatievaart toegankelijk is.

Het Brandemeer

Meer in Delfstrahuizen. Staat bekend om haar riet, wat in de winter wordt gemaaid en groeit in het voorjaar en pluimt in het najaar. Het Brandemeer is een POI in de route

Delfstrahuizen-Echtenerbrug

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

Visit Delfstrahuizen-Echtenerbrug

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.

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.

Marchjepolle Island beach on Lake Tjeukemeer

One way to really enjoy the Waterland van Friesland area is to visit a little beach that you can only get to by boat. Marchjepolle is a small man-made island on Lake Tjeukemeer and the beach here is unique. Moor your boat, spread out your towel and enjoy!

Tjeukemeer (Tsjûkemar)

The Tjeukemeer is the largest inland lake in Friesland.

Dairy Scharsterbrug

In Scharsterbrug, a large dairy factory called the Maatschappij Hollandia was built at the end of the 19th century.

Langweerder Wielen (Langwarder Wielen)

The Langweerder Wielen is located to the west of Joure.

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

Blokslootpolder Nature Reserve

The Blokslootpolder nature reserve is near Sneekermeer Lake.

Goaiingarypster Puollen

The Goingarijpster Puollen is connected to the Sneekermeer at multiple locations.