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Southwest round-trip

(40.2 km)

This is a ‘fixed mast route’. The sailing route takes you over the Frisian Lakes and through narrow channels, one of the most beautiful in the whole of Friesland being the Wymerts between Bolsward and IJlst, lined with reeds, picturesque villages and bridges (bridges free of charge). The bridge keepers will be pleased to welcome you. You’ll pass by friendly villages, including Heeg and the cities of Workum, Bolsward and IJlst. In IJlst, you can opt to pass through the bridge and enjoy the Geeuw river in the direction of Sneek (indicated on the route map).

While in Workum, why not pop into the Jopie Huisman Museum? In Bolsward, Aart van de Linden will be pleased to welcome you to his brewery. In IJlst, you can visit the ‘Rat’ wood sawmill where mil…

This is a ‘fixed mast route’. The sailing route takes you over the Frisian Lakes and through narrow channels, one of the most beautiful in the whole of Friesland being the Wymerts between Bolsward and IJlst, lined with reeds, picturesque villages and bridges (bridges free of charge). The bridge keepers will be pleased to welcome you. You’ll pass by friendly villages, including Heeg and the cities of Workum, Bolsward and IJlst. In IJlst, you can opt to pass through the bridge and enjoy the Geeuw river in the direction of Sneek (indicated on the route map).

While in Workum, why not pop into the Jopie Huisman Museum? In Bolsward, Aart van de Linden will be pleased to welcome you to his brewery. In IJlst, you can visit the ‘Rat’ wood sawmill where miller Simon Jellema will gladly demonstrate the wood sawing process. There are also plenty of fun waterside opportunities to stop for a break along the way. Oosthem is home to a Gallery (through the bridge, first farm on the left), while Wolsumerketting offers rental canoes with a tea garden on the waterfront, Kootje bij de Brug (red dot on the map) for a canoe with tea and apple pie. We hope you enjoy your sailing trip! Your adventure in Southwest Friesland starts here!

Sights on this route

Starting point:

8618 NW IJlst
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Ijlst - Marina Nijesyl | Waterfront charging stations

Public charging station in the small marina of Nijesyl, near IJlst.

Ijlst - Marina Nijesyl | Waterfront charging stations

Heeg (Heech)

Heeg is a delightful destination for water sports enthusiasts.

Visit Heeg

Heeg (Heech)

Stichting De Palingaak

Stichting De Palingaak

The transient harbor Heegerwâl

The transient harbor Heegerwâl is beautifully situated directly on Lake Heegermeer. The stunning, child-friendly day recreation beach is right next to the harbor. The center of Heeg is just a few minutes' walk from the harbor. Water sports, holiday homes...

The transient harbor Heegerwâl

Marboei MB63

A MarBoje is a plastic buoy with a large eye on top.

Marboei MB63 Heegermeer

Beach Langehoekspôlle

On the east side of the Langehoekspôlle in the Fluessen, also known as Knine-eilân, you will find a delightful swimming beach.

Beach Langehoekspôlle

Gaastmeer

Gaastmeer is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the day and enjoy peace and space.

Visit Gaastmeer

Gaastmeer

Pieltsjerke Church in Gaastmeer

The Pieltsjerke church in Gaastmeer stands on the bank of It Piel, an inlet of Lake Fluessen. The church tower serves as a striking landmark from the lake and from the village.

Pieltsjerke Church in Gaastmeer Pieltsjerke vanuit de lucht

Aanlegsteiger FL11

Publieke aanlegplaats op het uiteinde van de Grûns, tussen Workum en Gaastmeer.

Aanlegsteiger FL11 Uitzicht vanaf de steiger

Railway Bridge Klifrak

The railway bridge Klifrak near Workum is a relatively low bridge, which is usually open, allowing water sports enthusiasts to pass through.

Railway Bridge Klifrak Spoorbrug

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.

Visit Workum

Workum (Warkum) Workum Fontein

Blazerhaven

Alongside the sea lock in Workum, is on the one side the De Hoop shipyard and on the other, the Blazerhaven. The latter was dug in 2008, and forms a historic maritime complex together with De Hoop, around the old Zuiderzee locks in Workum.

Blazerhaven

Museum Warkums Erfskip

Enjoy Workum from the weigh house!

Museum Warkums Erfskip

Johannes de Doperkerk Parrega

Als een lang bebouwingslint strekt het dorp Parrega zich uit langs de Workumer Trekvaart. Op een terpachtige plek, halverwege dit lint, ligt de Johannes de Doperkerk, omringd door een kerkhof.

Johannes de Doperkerk Parrega Johannes de Doperkerk vanuit de lucht

Visstek Workumertrekvaart

Bijzonder veel vis, tussen 2 van de 11 steden, prachtige vaart.

Visstek Workumertrekvaart

Jaagpad langs de Workumertrekvaart

Een prachtig jaagpad om langs te fietsen of wandelen is het jaagpad bij Tjerkwerd langs de Workumertrekvaart. Je fietst of wandelt direct langs het water.

Jaagpad langs de Workumertrekvaart

Fyftjin en Fierder

Fyftjin en Fierder is een kunstwerk van de hand van Pieter Jan Stallen. Het werk gaat over historie én toekomst van de Elfstedentocht, heel nadrukkelijk over allebei!

Fyftjin en Fierder

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.

Visit Bolsward

Bolsward (Boalsert) Bolsward Broerekerk

Stadsgrachten Bolsward

Bolsward werd echt welvarend door de zuivelhandel in de 17e eeuw. Dit zie je goed terug in de huizen langs de stadsgrachten uit die tijd.

Stadsgrachten Bolsward

Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'

Museum De Tiid, in the former historic town hall in Bolsward, shows the fascinating history of Southwest Fryslân. Take your time for the interactive presentations and feast your eyes in the photogenic council chamber, on the steps and in the city hall tow

Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'

Brug Wolsumerketting

De brug bij de Wolsumerketting ligt over het water van de Wymerts, dat is de vaart die Bolsward en IJlst verbindt. 

Brug Wolsumerketting Wolsumer ketting brug

Johanneskerk Oosthem

Voor een klein terpdorp als Oosthem, is de Johanneskerk opvallend groot. De bestaande kerk kon de belangstelling om vermaarde Reveil-predikanten te horen preken niet aan, dus werd er in 1860 een nieuw godshuis gebouwd. Voor maar liefst 400 mensen.

Johanneskerk Oosthem Johanneskerk Oosthem vanuit de lucht

Aanlegsteiger SN92

Langs een smal schelpenpaadje dat wandelaars van Oosthem naar Nijesyl leidt, vind je deze aanlegsteiger met nummer SN92.

Aanlegsteiger SN92 Easthimmer mar steiger bordje Marrekrite

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.

Visit IJlst

IJlst (Drylts) Molen IJlst

Waterside Gardens

Unique and characteristic to IJlst are the waterside gardens on each side of the Ee.

Waterside Gardens

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.

Visit Sneek

Sneek (Snits) Waterpoort Sneek

Water Gate Sneek

The Waterpoort in Sneek is a water gate, a gate in a defensive wall that connects a city to a waterway. In the 15th and 16th century, a defensive wall had been built around Sneek.

Water Gate Sneek

End point:

8618 NW IJlst
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Directions

Starting point:

8618 NW IJlst
Navigate to starting point

Start: 8618 NW IJlst

Finish: 8618 NW IJlst

End point:

8618 NW IJlst
Navigate to endpoint

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