Section 1: Sneek - Stavoren | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route
On this first stage, you follow in the footsteps of the skaters from Sneek to Stavoren. Where they braved the open waters of the Frisian lakes, you’ll tackle the hills of Gaasterland by bike.
Please note: This route includes a ferry crossing. Before setting off, check the current departure times.
During this stage, you’ll cycle through the Southwest Friesland National Landscape, with its varied landscapes. From the open peat and lake district to the rolling, wooded landscape of Gaasterland. Finally, you’ll follow the IJsselmeer coast to Stavoren.
This is the first stage of the 260 km-long Eleven Cities Cycling Route. The other stages are:
- Stage 2: Stavoren – Harlingen (51 km)
- Stage 3: Harlingen – Dokkum (80 km)
- Stage 4: Dokkum – Sneek (53 km)
Find tips and tricks for planning your trip here: Cycling the Eleven Cities Tour | Friesland.nl
Four of the Eleven
Alth…
On this first stage, you follow in the footsteps of the skaters from Sneek to Stavoren. Where they braved the open waters of the Frisian lakes, you’ll tackle the hills of Gaasterland by bike.
Please note: This route includes a ferry crossing. Before setting off, check the current departure times.
During this stage, you’ll cycle through the Southwest Friesland National Landscape, with its varied landscapes. From the open peat and lake district to the rolling, wooded landscape of Gaasterland. Finally, you’ll follow the IJsselmeer coast to Stavoren.
This is the first stage of the 260 km-long Eleven Cities Cycling Route. The other stages are:
- Stage 2: Stavoren – Harlingen (51 km)
- Stage 3: Harlingen – Dokkum (80 km)
- Stage 4: Dokkum – Sneek (53 km)
Find tips and tricks for planning your trip here: Cycling the Eleven Cities Tour | Friesland.nl
Four of the Eleven
Although the skaters started in Leeuwarden, this first cycling stage starts in Sneek. The skaters had already covered 22 kilometres by the time they reached the city – but with almost 200 km still to go, the race had really only just begun. From Sneek, with its iconic Waterpoort, you’ll cycle to IJlst, known for its overtuinen (gardens extending beyond the houses), and on to Sloten, the smallest of the Eleven Cities. The stage ends in Stavoren, a historic harbour town on the former Zuiderzee. Discover our best tips for visiting these cities here.
A ferry crossing
Just before Langweer, you’ll cross the water by ferry. Just to be sure, bring some cash and check the current departure times here.
Locations on this route
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51
Start point:
Waypoint bike 51
Sneek
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Sneek (Snits)
Sneek (Snits)
Sneek, or Snits as we say in Friesland, is the water sports city of the Netherlands. But Sneek is more than water sports and the Sneekweek. The city is bustling with events, culture, unique hotspots, and nice shops.
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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Sneek
Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Sneek
The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Sneek by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the Tour of Tours.
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IJlst (Drylts)
IJlst (Drylts)
IJlst (or Drylts in Frisian) is not only one of the famous 11 cities, but also a 'wood city'. For many years, tree trunks were processed here by the legendary wood trading companies Oppedijk and S.O. de Vries.
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11Fountains Ijlst
11Fountains Ijlst
Culture, like nature, consists of layer upon layer. New generations continue to build on a foundation which does not disappear.
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The Waterpoort and the Eleven Cities Tour
The Waterpoort and the Eleven Cities Tour
The Waterpoort is the icon of Sneek and perhaps, in the future, the setting for another Eleven Cities Tour.
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11Fountains Sneek
11Fountains Sneek
A man with a Horn of Plenty stands on a golden ball in the middle of the water.
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Sloten (Sleat)
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.
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11Fountains Sloten
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.
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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Sloten
Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Sloten
The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Sloten by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”
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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture De Reedrydster
Eleven Cities Tour sculpture De Reedrydster
De Reedrydster in Kolderwolde by Evert van Hemert depicts a curvy female skater. The sculpture was inspired by the most recent Eleven Cities Tour and is a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”
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Stavoren (Starum)
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.
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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Stavoren
Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Stavoren
The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Stavoren by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”
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11Fountains Stavoren
11Fountains Stavoren
The sea gives, the sea takes. Stavoren, once a rich Hanseatic city, has much to say on this subject. Floods, maritime trade wars, a port that silted up: the city fell into poverty several times.
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VVV Stavoren - Elf Cities Stamp Point
VVV Stavoren - Elf Cities Stamp Point
Get your stamp for the legendary Elf Cities Tour here. Drop by and collect proof of your visit to this beautiful historic city.
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End point:
Waypoint bike 64
Stavoren
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