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Balk - Wyldemerk | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 4

(18.3 km)
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Along the first part of the route from Balk to Sloten you have a constant view of Lake Slotermeer.

Sloten is the smallest of the Friesland’s eleven historical cities and living proof that a city does not have to be big to make an impression. This compact little city retains its original layout and the city walls are almost completely intact. 

From here you continue through the Gaasterland region where the gently rolling landscape changes to cliffs and deciduous forests along the coast of the IJsselmeer. You walk through the little village of Wyckel, past the village of Ruigahuizen and continue through the forest to the De Luts river, which is part of the Elfstedentocht route. De Luts river flows into the small lake at the Wyldemerk nature reserve which is a haven for dragonflies. This section of the trail ends just south of the nature reserve. 

Sights on this route

1

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.

Balk
22
28
24
25
35
33
2

Vaste Burchtkerk Fortress Church

The substantial tower of this church rises proudly above the Van Coehoorn forest, which is named after the strategist and fortress builder Menno Van Coehoorn, who is buried in a spectacular mausoleum in the church.

Vaste Burchtkerk Fortress Church
30
3

Washing lines of Sloten

Sloten likes to pay homage to its 'bleaches'. This 'Bleekweide' was a grassy commons area on which freshly washed linen was left to dry and bleach in the sun. Sloten likes to remember this bleaching system along its city moat.

Washing lines of Sloten
19
4

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.

11Fountains Sloten
5

De Kaai corn mill

Near the Lemster Gate you will also find De Kaai corn mill. The windmill stands on a bastion of the city walls, where it still grinds wheat into flour in the traditional and authentic manner. On Saturdays, the mill is open for viewing and flour sales.

De Kaai corn mill
40
32
30
34
50
51
52
20
21
08
6

Ruigahuizen Bell Tower

At one time the village of Ruigahuizen had a church and a bell tower. The old bell tower was demolished in 1920. A new one was built to replace it in 1956. The old bell was installed beneath the four-sided dome roof of the new bell tower.

Ruigahuizen Bell Tower
09
49
60
7

Country house Kippenburg

To stay at an old estate, in the long-standing well-known COUNTRY HOUSE KIPPENBURG. Something exclusive! Built around 1830, decorated in 19th century style. A unique group accommodation with a large garden and forest.

Country house Kippenburg
64
65
69
95
8

Wyldemerk

The Wyldemerk is a nature reserve with an idyllic lake. It is connected to the Slotermeer and the Fluessen.

Wyldemerk

Directions

1

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.

Balk
  • Wandel Balk uit naar Wijckel via de knooppunt 22 - 28 - 24 -25 - 35 -33 -30
  • In Wijckel hou je linksaan om naar Sloten (19) te wandelen. Na een rondgang door Sloten, koers je aan op knooppunt 40 en vervolgens 32 om weer terug te komen in Wijckel.
  • Vanuit hier door naar 34 -50 - 51 - 52 - 20 - 21, je komt uit bij Ruigahuizen (8). Verder door het bos naar 9 - 49 - 60 - 64 (Kippenburg) - 65 - 69 om te eindigen bij 95.    
8

Wyldemerk

The Wyldemerk is a nature reserve with an idyllic lake. It is connected to the Slotermeer and the Fluessen.

Wyldemerk
  • 22
  • 28
  • 24
  • 25
  • 35
  • 33
  • 30
  • 19
  • 40
  • 32
  • 30
  • 34
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 20
  • 21
  • 08
  • 09
  • 49
  • 60
  • 64
  • 65
  • 69
  • 95

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