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Wyldemerk - Stavoren | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 5

(21.7 km)

Emerging from a landscape more wooded than you expected, you continue along the shore of Lake IJsselmeer to the oldest of Friesland’s eleven cities, Stavoren.

This section of the trail starts with a lovely walk along unpaved paths through the forests near the villages of Oudemirdum and Rijs. As you leave the Rijsterbos forest, you are suddenly greeted by a panoramic view out over Lake IJsselmeer near the cliff at Mirns. The cliffs in Friesland may not be very high, but they are respectably old. They were formed by continental ice sheets during the last ice age but one.

As you head back to Lake IJsselmeer, the trail leads you past the bell tower at Mirns and through the little village of Laaksum, which has the smallest fishing port in Europe.

You contin…

Emerging from a landscape more wooded than you expected, you continue along the shore of Lake IJsselmeer to the oldest of Friesland’s eleven cities, Stavoren.

This section of the trail starts with a lovely walk along unpaved paths through the forests near the villages of Oudemirdum and Rijs. As you leave the Rijsterbos forest, you are suddenly greeted by a panoramic view out over Lake IJsselmeer near the cliff at Mirns. The cliffs in Friesland may not be very high, but they are respectably old. They were formed by continental ice sheets during the last ice age but one.

As you head back to Lake IJsselmeer, the trail leads you past the bell tower at Mirns and through the little village of Laaksum, which has the smallest fishing port in Europe.

You continue on your way, past the red cliff and several little sandy beaches on the shore of Lake IJsselmeer, eventually arriving in Stavoren. Though Stavoren is the oldest of the eleven cities in Friesland, it looks younger. Today it is more of a mecca for water sports enthusiasts from the Johan Frisosluis lock onwards. In Stavoren you are surrounded by boats, docks and bridges.

Sights on this route

Oudemirdum

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

Oudemirdum
95

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
90
94
97
83
56
58
71
72

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

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
90

Mokkebank

De Mokkebank is het hele jaar in trek bij vogels. In de rietvelden kun je het baardmannetje en soms ook de roerdomp tegenkomen. Verder broeden er veel rietvogeltjes, zoals rietzangers, sprinkhaanzanger, kleine karekiet en ook de snor en blauwborst....

Mokkebank
80

Rode Klif (Red Cliff) at Lake IJsselmeer

At the edge of Lake IJsselmeer there is a red cliff that is 10 metres high. It was formed during the last ice age but one when the land was pushed up by glaciers that advanced from Scandinavia. The forces exerted by the ice created hills in the landscape.

Rode Klif (Red Cliff) at Lake IJsselmeer
70

It Suderstrand near Stavoren

The clear bathing water invites you to take a refreshing dive and is also safe for the little ones due to the gently sloping bottom. The beach is within walking distance of the welcoming city of Stavoren. And when the day is done, enjoy a drink or s...

It Suderstrand near Stavoren
60

Johan Friso locks

The locks and bridge built in 1966 connect the IJsselmeer lake and the Johan Friso canal.

Johan Friso locks Johan Frisosluis

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.

Stavoren (Starum) Fontein Stavoren

Directions

Oudemirdum

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

Oudemirdum
  • Van knooppunt 95 naar 90 in Oudemirdum, dan volg er een slalom om de weg via 94 - 97 - 83 - 56 -58 naar Rijs. 
  • Hier het Rijsterbos door naar 71 aan de kust, De weg vervolgen naar 72 - 90 - 80 (Laaksum) - 70 (Rode Klif).
  • Uiteindelijk beland je na knooppunt 60 in het centrum van 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.

Stavoren (Starum) Fontein Stavoren
  • 95
  • 90
  • 94
  • 97
  • 83
  • 56
  • 58
  • 71
  • 72
  • 90
  • 80
  • 70
  • 60

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