Sneek - Balk | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 3
This section of the trail sets off from the famous Waterpoort water gate in the historical centre of Sneek. The city is popular for water sports. You walk through a residential area to the wide Geeuw river, then a picturesque little footpath leads you to the Frisian city of IJlst, where you can see the De Rat sawmill. IJlst has beautiful canals with gardens along the banks. This relatively quiet little city was once known for its woodworking industry, which produced skates among other things.
From IJlst the route continues to the contiguous villages…
This section of the trail sets off from the famous Waterpoort water gate in the historical centre of Sneek. The city is popular for water sports. You walk through a residential area to the wide Geeuw river, then a picturesque little footpath leads you to the Frisian city of IJlst, where you can see the De Rat sawmill. IJlst has beautiful canals with gardens along the banks. This relatively quiet little city was once known for its woodworking industry, which produced skates among other things.
From IJlst the route continues to the contiguous villages of Jutrijp and Hommerts. The next section of the route is hard going. It leads under the aqueduct and runs alongside the motorway as you make your way to Woudsend. Fortunately, Woudsend is a charming village with many waterways, quaint narrow streets, surprising vistas, delightful little terraces and a range of attractions.
A few kilometres outside of Woudsend the trail turns off and leads you around the edge of Lake Slotermeer, ending in the lovely little town of Balk.
Sights on this route
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.
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.
Houtzaagmolen de Rat
Visit wind powered sawmill ‘De Rat’ and step back in time three hundred years!
Museum en Werkplaats Houtstad IJlst
Experience the history of IJlst during an active visit to: Museum and workshop Houtstad IJlst. IJlst has been connected with wood for many centuries.
11Fountains Ijlst
Culture, like nature, consists of layer upon layer. New generations continue to build on a foundation which does not disappear.
Waterside Gardens
Unique and characteristic to IJlst are the waterside gardens on each side of the Ee.
Woudsend (Wâldsein)
Woudsend is een dorp ingeklemd tussen het Heegermeer en Slotermeer
Houtzaagmolen De Jager
Houtzaagmolen De Jager is de ruim 300 jaar oude houtzaagmolen in Woudsend die nog steeds in bedrijf is. Alle zaterdagen is de molen te bezoeken (9:00 tot 17:00 uur).
St Michael’s Church in Woudsend
St Michael’s Church in Woudsend built in 1792 is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the North of the Netherlands. The beautiful statues, leaded glass windows, paintings and, above all, the intimate scale of the interior leave a lasting impression.
Korenmolen 't Lam
Mole 't Lam is de oudste korenmolen van Friesland en staat in Woudsend, waar de molenaar en zijn vrouw koren en graan ambachtelijk malen tot meelproducten en diverse broodmixen.
Balk (Balk)
Balk is een groot dorp met veel voorzieningen in Zuidwest Friesland, het is de hoofdplaats van Gaasterland en is gelegen aan de Elfstedenroute.
Directions
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.
- Met de Waterpoort achter je, wandel je Sneek uit via knooppunt 70 - 71.
- Dan door naar IJlst (91), je wandelt over de grachten in dit stadje verder naar knooppunt 31 -15 om in Jutrijp uit te komen.
- Dan volgt de wandeling langs de provinciale weg naar 68 - 70 - 34 (Woudsend).
- In Woudsend is het slalommen door de steegjen om het dorp te verlaten richting 56 (Ypecolsgea), daar linksaf gaan en het pad langs het meer (88) volgen naar het centrum van Balk (23 - 22)
Balk (Balk)
Balk is een groot dorp met veel voorzieningen in Zuidwest Friesland, het is de hoofdplaats van Gaasterland en is gelegen aan de Elfstedenroute.
- 70
- 71
- 91
- 91
- 89
- 31
- 15
- 68
- 68
- 70
- 10
- 34
- 56
- 88
- 23
- 22
-
Akkrum-IJlst | Liberation route: section 2
Akkrum-IJlst | Liberation route: section 2
(25.2 km)Akkrum -
Wadden Sea Dike - Herbaijum | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 9
Wadden Sea Dike - Herbaijum | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 9
(18.0 km)Kimswerd -
Wyldemerk - Stavoren | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 5
Wyldemerk - Stavoren | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 5
(21.7 km)Oudemirdum -
Bolsward - Hartwerd | Klooster Claercamppad pilgrimage trail: Circular walk 2
Bolsward - Hartwerd | Klooster Claercamppad pilgrimage trail: Circular walk 2
(15.5 km)Bolsward -
Wandelroute Gaasterland: Elfbergen en Lycklamabos
Wandelroute Gaasterland: Elfbergen en Lycklamabos
(11.5 km)Oudemirdum
