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Eleven Villages Route - A cycling tour of Frisian villages

(171.0 km)

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

68

Starting point:

Waypoint bike 68
Balk
Navigate to starting point

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.

Ontdek Balk

Balk
39
40

Woudsend (Wâldsein)

Woudsend is a village nestled between Lake Heegermeer and Lake Slotermeer.

Ontdek Woudsend

Woudsend (Wâldsein)
41
54
36
35

Heeg (Heech)

Heeg is a delightful destination for water sports enthusiasts.

Beleef Heeg

Heeg (Heech)
38

Oudega

Oudega is a cozy village situated on the Oudegaaster Brekken.

Verken Oudega

Oudega
32
31
15
14
10
09
07
03
87
49
70

Makkum

Makkum is a seaside resort on the IJsselmeer coast in Southwest Friesland, just south of the Afsluitdijk.

Bezoek Makkum

Makkum wapen van makkum
56
01
22
20
19
96
95

Koudum

Koudum is centrally located in Southwest Friesland. This makes it an ideal base for your next vacation.

Ontdek Koudum

Koudum
94
11
10
08
07
06
15
16
23

Oudemirdum

Oudemirdum is a charming village located amidst the forests of Southwest Friesland in the Gaasterland region.

Beleef Oudemirdum

Oudemirdum
22
20
21
27
28
85
29
68
32
44
45
46

Lemmer

Lemmer is the ultimate combination of beach, coziness, and UNESCO World Heritage.

Verken Lemmer

Lemmer
51
47
52
78
54
55
57
83
82
63

Joure (De Jouwer)

Joure is the village without city antics.

Bezoek Joure

Joure (De Jouwer)
69
80
64
73
68
43

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.

Beleef Terherne

Terherne
68
65

Veerpont Rufus (Broek)

-Pontje kan ook op afspraak worden ingezet

Veerpont Rufus (Broek)
61
62
84

Veerpont Woudfennen (Woudfennen)

Veerpont Woudfennen (Woudfennen)
91

Langweer

Langweer is a true watersports destination. From this centrally located village in the Frisian lake area, you can sail in all directions.

Ontdek Langweer

Langweer
92
93
14
53
42
43
44
32
68

End point:

Waypoint bike 68
Balk
Navigate to endpoint

Directions

68

Starting point:

Waypoint bike 68
Balk
Navigate to starting point

Start and end point
The directions start and end in Balk but you can start and end the route at any point. You follow the route by cycling from one junction of the cycle route network to the next in the order indicated by the numbers. 

Ferries
Please note! Always check that the ferries are running before you depart. 
If the Rufus passenger and bike ferry is not running, you can change the way. Go from junction 65 to 64 - 80 - 79 - 62. Here you can pick up the original route.
If the Woudfennen passenger and bike ferry in village of Boornzwaag is not running, you can extend the route by cycling from junction 84 to 82 - 83 - 57 - 55 - 56 - 58 - 92. Here you can pick up the original route.

68

End point:

Waypoint bike 68
Balk
Navigate to endpoint

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