Section 2: Stavoren - Harlingen | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route
The section of the route takes you to no less than five of Friesland’s eleven cities: Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward and Harlingen. All situated in the west of Friesland.
The first three are close together. These small cities all have ports on Lake IJsselmeer.
Bolsward and Harlingen are larger. Bolsward was once on the shore of the former Middelzee estuary and Harlingen is (still) on the Wadden Sea coast. In these vibrant cities there is plenty to see and do.
You cycle from cycling junction to cycling junction, past charming little towns and villages and through vast stretches of countryside with church towers on the horizon.
Along the way you will see the new …
The section of the route takes you to no less than five of Friesland’s eleven cities: Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward and Harlingen. All situated in the west of Friesland.
The first three are close together. These small cities all have ports on Lake IJsselmeer.
Bolsward and Harlingen are larger. Bolsward was once on the shore of the former Middelzee estuary and Harlingen is (still) on the Wadden Sea coast. In these vibrant cities there is plenty to see and do.
You cycle from cycling junction to cycling junction, past charming little towns and villages and through vast stretches of countryside with church towers on the horizon.
Along the way you will see the new signs for the Elfstedentocht bicycle route. If you are cycling the route in the clockwise direction, follow the green signs. If you are cycling the route in the anticlockwise direction, follow the blue signs.
If you are looking for somewhere to stay, Harlingen is a lovely place to spend the night!
Sights on this route
8715 JE Stavoren
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.

Molkwerum (Molkwar)
Molkwerum is een klein dorpje met een interessante geschiedenis, niet ver van het IJsselmeer gelegen.

Hindeloopen (Hylpen)
Hindeloopen, or Hylpen as we say in Friesland, is known for its painting and stylish costumes from the past.

Workum (Warkum)
Workum (or Warkum as we say in Friesland), is one of the famous Frisian cities that has enjoyed city rights since 1399. Located on the shores of the former Zuiderzee and bordering the Frisian lakes.

Bolsward (Boalsert)
Bolsward, or Boalsert as we say in Friesland, is the city where history and architecture play a leading role. Let yourself be carried away by the rich history of this eleven cities city.

Witmarsum (Wytmarsum)
Witmarsum is een knus dorp ten noordwesten van Elfstedenstad Bolsward

Kimswerd (Kimswert)
Kimswerd staat bij de Friezen bekend als de geboorteplaats van de beruchte vrijheidsstrijder: Grutte Pier.

Harlingen (Harns)
Harlingen is de Elfstedenstad aan het Wad. Een prachtige stad met een nautisch heden en verleden, gebouwd op de bodem van de oude zee...

8861 AJ Harlingen
Directions
8715 JE Stavoren
Bebording:
Onderweg volg je de Elfstedenroute bordjes. De groene bordjes zijn voor de route met de klok mee (zoals de route op deze website is aangegeven). De blauwe bordjes zijn voor de route tegen de klok in.
Openbaar vervoer:
Kom je met het OV naar Friesland? In zowel in Stavoren als in Harlingen stopt de Arriva trein. Je fiets mag mee in de trein (koop wel een speciaal ticket hiervoor).
Horeca onderweg:
Klik op de rode knoppen bij de plaatsnamen in de lijst onder 'dit ga je zien' om een logeeradres of restaurant voor onderweg te vinden.
8861 AJ Harlingen
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