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Cycling route

(55.0 km)

This cycling route takes you through the heart of the Gaasterland region. It feels like a completely different Friesland. You could be forgiven for not recognising it, against the backdrop of gently rolling hills and age-old woodlands. Standing on one of the three ridges along the IJsselmeer lake (the only ones in the country), you’ll have beautiful panoramic views all the way to the horizon.

Gaasterland is one of the four very diverse areas of the National Landscape of Southwest Friesland. In fact, much of Waterland van Friesland is a designated National Landscape. Southwest Friesland earned this title because of the possibility of experiencing four different landscapes all in one day. Gaasterland is one of them. If you’d like to learn more about the history of the National Landscape
and its fau…

This cycling route takes you through the heart of the Gaasterland region. It feels like a completely different Friesland. You could be forgiven for not recognising it, against the backdrop of gently rolling hills and age-old woodlands. Standing on one of the three ridges along the IJsselmeer lake (the only ones in the country), you’ll have beautiful panoramic views all the way to the horizon.

Gaasterland is one of the four very diverse areas of the National Landscape of Southwest Friesland. In fact, much of Waterland van Friesland is a designated National Landscape. Southwest Friesland earned this title because of the possibility of experiencing four different landscapes all in one day. Gaasterland is one of them. If you’d like to learn more about the history of the National Landscape
and its fauna, the National Landscape visitor centre is the place to be: Mar & Klif. This is also the
departure point of this cycling trip.

Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful woodlands one minute, and then suddenly meet up with the IJsselmeer lake. This wonderfully varied route will also let you discover charming villages such as Oudemirdum and picturesque Molkwerum. The Wyldemerk is an ideal spot to take a break, as it’s the Netherlands’ first dragonfly reserve.

Sights on this route

Mar en Klif Visitor Center

In the visitor centre, you will discover many aspects of National Landscape Southwest Fryslân

Mar en Klif Visitor Center
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Oudemirdum

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

Visit Oudemirdum

Oudemirdum

Fountain Church

The Fountain Church is a Dutch Reformed church in the charming little village of Oudemirdum. It was built in 1790 on the foundations of a 13th-century tuff stone church. The second nave on the north side of the church was added in 1926.

Fountain Church
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Gaasterlands Streek Museum Eppinga Sate

Museum with an old 'farm ark' in a beautiful farmhouse.

Gaasterlands Streek Museum Eppinga Sate
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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
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68

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.

Visit Balk

Balk

It Bûterhûs

Koffie- en theeschenkerij met gebak en lunch, als werk- en leerlocatie voor mensen met een verstandelijke beperking. Ook zijn we een (FairTrade) kadowinkel met VVV agentschap. We hebben drie sfeervolle appartementen voor recreatieverhuur!

It Bûterhûs
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Kerk Harich

Harich is een oud dorpje in het bosrijke Gaasterland, De kern van het dorp is rond de oude dorpskerk gebouwd. De oorspronkelijk 12e eeuwse kerk is aan de buitenzijde sober uitgevoerd.

Kerk Harich Kerk Harich
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Starnumanbossen

You will not find only neat rows of planted trees, stately avenues, and tightly maintained sandy paths here; this is a natural forest! The western part of the forest is even a forest reserve.

Starnumanbossen
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Wyldemerk

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

Wyldemerk
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Rijsterbos

The Rijsterbos woods are one of the most famous in Friesland.

Rijsterbos
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Koudum

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

Visit Koudum

Koudum

Martinikerk Koudum

De huidige Martinikerk in Koudum is gebouwd in 1857. Deze zaalkerk heeft een toren met twee geledingen en een ingesnoerde spits. Een groot deel van de inventaris is afkomstig uit de eerder afgebroken kerk uit de 17e eeuw.

Martinikerk Koudum
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Molkwerum (Molkwar)

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

Molkwerum (Molkwar) Bakkerswinkeltsje Molkwar

Museum 'Het Bakkerswinkeltje'

Ontdek in Museum 'Het Bakkerswinkeltje' de rijke historie van het vroegere Friese Doolhof Molkwerum.

Museum 'Het Bakkerswinkeltje'
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Johannes de Doper Church

The tower of this church is very old. It dates back to the second half of the twelfth century and is made of tuffstone. The church behind the tower was completely renovated in 1682, thanks to a financial boost from Grietman Van Jongestal. His name a...

Johannes de Doper Church
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Harbor of Laaksum

The harbor of Laaksum is an idyllic spot in Southwest Friesland. We often refer to it as the smallest fishing harbor in Europe.

Harbor of Laaksum Laaksum de Hang

Zwemtrap Laaksum

Duik vanuit Laaksum het IJsselmeer in en voel de vrijheid!

Zwemtrap Laaksum Zwemtrap Laaksum Friesland

Mokkebank - De Mok - Vogelkijkhut

Duizenden futen.

Mokkebank - De Mok - Vogelkijkhut

Kitesurfing Spot at Mirns

The kitesurfing spot at Mirns is ideal for beginners, with a large expanse of shallow water and southeasterly winds. Wind directions: SE-S-SWWaterfront parking: YesBeach: NoShallow water: YesRefreshmen...

Kitesurfing Spot at Mirns
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Mirns Bell Tower

In the graveyard in the village of Mirns there is a bell tower with a hip roof. It was built in 1953, after an American bomber crashed into the old bell tower in 1943, killing everyone on board.

Mirns Bell Tower
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Mirnserklif

If you set off from the Rijsterbos forest and walk in the direction of Lake IJsselmeer you will come to the cliff at Mirns. It is a place that attracts kite surfers, kite flyers and beach lovers. The cliff was formed during the last ice age but one.

Mirnserklif

it Mirnserklif near Mirns

Go to the beach at one of the three cliffs in the Netherlands: the Mirnserklif. Enjoy lying in the grass and go for a bite to eat at the pavilion of the same name with a view over the IJsselmeer.

it Mirnserklif near Mirns

IJsselmeer

Het IJsselmeer is ontstaan na het voltooien van de afsluitdijk, de vroegere Zuiderzee werd hierdoor opgesplitst in de Waddenzee en het IJsselmeer.

IJsselmeer

Jolderenbos

The Jolderenbos is one of the oldest forests of Gaasterland. The first trees were planted here more than 300 years ago!

Jolderenbos
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Mar en Klif Visitor Center

In the visitor centre, you will discover many aspects of National Landscape Southwest Fryslân

Mar en Klif Visitor Center
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