Southwest Friesland | Sailing route

(60.0 km)

Sailing a long weekend outside the high season? An excellent idea: this passage route lets you experience a large part of south-west Friesland in just a few days.

Rent a boat in Friesland

Don't have a boat of your own? Even outside the high season, you can easily rent a boat in Friesland. This route can also be taken by boaters without a boating licence. You will receive good boating instructions from the rental company at the start.

Duration of this route

This route can be done in autumn, winter or early spring with a motor yacht or sailing boat with heating on board. Assuming you cruise at about 9 km per hour, you should be able to cover the route in 3/4 days. Take it easy, stay overnight at the most beautiful places in South-West Friesland and moor regularly to enjoy sightseeing ashore.…

Sailing a long weekend outside the high season? An excellent idea: this passage route lets you experience a large part of south-west Friesland in just a few days.

Rent a boat in Friesland

Duration of this route

Bridge operation out of season

There are a number of high bridges and aqueducts on this route that you can sail past without fail. But there are also a few lower bridges in the route and these are not operated as a matter of course in the autumn and winter periods, you have to call (call out) first.

Opening bridges with smartphone

Good news: since 2022, a number of remote-controlled bridges have been designated that no longer require a call-off! You can open these bridges yourself using the watersports app on your smartphone (note: this does not work on most bridges on Sundays).

Calling bridges

To open other low bridges, call 058-2925888 at least 2 hours in advance. (Please note that the phone number is not available on weekends, so call firmly before 4pm on Friday for Saturday or Monday morning - most bridges are not operated on Sundays).

Free moorings in the countryside

You regularly have the water all to yourself, so that will be a relaxing cruise! You can spend the night at a secluded Marrekrite mooring. In the middle of nature, there are jetties and buoys where you can moor for free for a few nights. Here it is fantastic stargazing...! And do you need electricity, sanitation, fuel or water? Then opt for a marina.

Where to dispose of your waste

During the winter period, you won't find many rubbish containers along the way, so just keep your rubbish on board. And do you come across litter somewhere in nature? Will you take it with you? The birds and fish will thank you!

Read the 3-day programme here for more tips and inspiration.

We wish you lots of boating fun on the peaceful Frisian lakes!

Sights on this route

Starting point:

Gravinnewei
8493 LV Terherne

Brug Uitwellingerga

Als je door het Prinses Margrietkanaal vaart, kom je deze hoge brug bij Uitwellingerga tegen. Vanwege de hoogte van meer dan 7 meter, kunnen de meeste watersporters er gewoon onderdoor varen.

Jeltesleat Akwadukt

When sailing through the Jeltesloot near Hommerts, you will eventually cross the N354, using the aqueduct through the Jeltesloot.

Marboei MB63

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

Woudsend (Wâldsein)

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

Visit Woudsend

Hellingbrêge Woudsend

If you sail or drive through the beautiful center of Woudsend, you will undoubtedly come across the high Hellingbrêge.

Ie Akwadukt

South of Woudsend, since 2007, you can find the Ie Aqueduct: an aqueduct at the intersection of the river De Ie and the N928.

Nieuwe Langebrug Sloten

Vaar je over de Easterbûtengrêft, het water aan de oostelijke zijde van het Elfstedenstadje Sloten, dan kom je vanzelf de Nieuwe Langebrug tegen.

Sloten (Sleat)

Sloten (or Sleat as we say in Friesland) is the smallest Elfsteden town in Friesland. This walled mini-city is also called sipelstêd (Frisian for onion city) thanks to the unique shape of an onion.

Visit Sloten

Follegabrug

Daar waar de Straatweg in Follega en de Follegeasleat elkaar kruisen, vind je de Follegabrug. De Follegeasleat verbindt de Groote Brekken met de Tsjûkemar.

Tjeukemeerbrug

De Tjeukemeerbrug is een hoge brug in de snelweg A6, hij brengt je over het grootste binnenwater Friesland.

Scharsterrijnbrug

The Scharsterrijnbrug is located on the A6 motorway, just before the Joure interchange. Due to the busy nature of this highway, the bridge is only open for 1 minute every half hour.

Brug Scharsterbrug

In het dorp Scharsterbrug draait alles om de brug! Niet alleen in de dorpsnaam, het dorpje wordt daadwerkelijk in tweeën gedeeld door het water van de Scharster Rien.

Langweer

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

Visit Langweer

Brug Noorder Oudeweg

De Noorder Oudeweg is geen weg voor automobilisten, maar een waterweg! Deze waterweg verbindt de Langweerder Wielen met het meertje de Alde Wei bij Broek.

Joure (De Jouwer)

Joure is the village without city antics.

Visit Joure

Museum Joure

Museum Joure is an amazing museum in the centre of Joure. Famous centrepiece is the first factory of Douwe Egberts, where you will experience the story behind this world famous brand.

Church and bell tower Goïngarijp

The church with the detached bell tower in Goingarijp is once again a gem in the Frisian landscape. The stained glass windows from 1770 are a beautiful attraction for tourists.

Nije Sânsleatbrêge Terherne

Terherne is een dorpje dat middenin het Friese water gelegen is, onder andere de Nije Sânsleatbrêge verbindt deze plaats met de vaste wal.

End point:

Gravinnewei
8493 LV Terherne