Eleven Villages Route - A cycling tour of Frisian villages
This beautiful 170-kilometre cycling route takes you to eleven of the 133 villages in southwest Friesland. All equally ‘smûk’ (the Frisian word for ‘welcoming’), quaint and recognisable from afar by their church towers. Some of the villages are tiny, others are like the smaller cities along the famous Elfstedentocht tour skating route. The village of Joure, for example, the birthplace of Douwe Egberts coffee and Pickwick tea, has a distinctly urban character. And the village of Terherne is unique in that it is essentially an island, completely surrounded by water.
The Eleven Villages Route takes you to the villages of Balk, Woudsend, Heeg, Oudega (in the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân), Makkum, Koudum, Oudemirdum, Lemmer, Joure, Terherne and Langweer. Along the way, you get to enjoy spectacular views, scenic cycle paths and two ferry crossings. So, are you ready to visit eleven villages?
Sights on this route
Starting point:
Waypoint bike 68
Balk
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Waypoint bike 68
Balk
Balk is a large village with many amenities in Southwest Friesland; it is the main town of Gaasterland and is situated along the Elfstedentocht route.
Woudsend (Wâldsein)
Woudsend is a village nestled between Lake Heegermeer and Lake Slotermeer.
Makkum
Makkum is a seaside resort on the IJsselmeer coast in Southwest Friesland, just south of the Afsluitdijk.
Koudum
Koudum is centrally located in Southwest Friesland. This makes it an ideal base for your next vacation.
Oudemirdum
Oudemirdum is a charming village located amidst the forests of Southwest Friesland in the Gaasterland region.
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.
Veerpont Rufus (Broek)
-Pontje kan ook op afspraak worden ingezet. Op dit moment (nov 24) is de pont in groot onderhoud en is dat niet mogelijk.
Langweer
Langweer is a true watersports destination. From this centrally located village in the Frisian lake area, you can sail in all directions.
End point:
Waypoint bike 68
Balk
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