Section 4: Dokkum - Sneek | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route
On this final stage, experience the magic and emotion of the Eleven Cities Tour. From the turning point in Dokkum, you’ll cycle to the skaters’ finish line at the Bonkevaart. Finally, continue on to Sneek, where your finish of the Tour of Tours awaits.
Following old towpaths, once used to pull horse-drawn barges, you’ll cycle through the heart of Friesland.
This is the fourth stage of the 260 km-long Eleven Cities Cycling Route. The other stages are:
- Stage 1: Sneek – Stavoren (75 km)
- Stage 2: Stavoren – Harlingen (51 km)
- Stage 3: Harlingen – Dokkum (80 km)
Find tips and tricks for planning your trip here: Cycling the Eleven Cities Tour | Friesland.nl
Three of the Eleven
On this stage, you’ll visit th…
On this final stage, experience the magic and emotion of the Eleven Cities Tour. From the turning point in Dokkum, you’ll cycle to the skaters’ finish line at the Bonkevaart. Finally, continue on to Sneek, where your finish of the Tour of Tours awaits.
Following old towpaths, once used to pull horse-drawn barges, you’ll cycle through the heart of Friesland.
This is the fourth stage of the 260 km-long Eleven Cities Cycling Route. The other stages are:
- Stage 1: Sneek – Stavoren (75 km)
- Stage 2: Stavoren – Harlingen (51 km)
- Stage 3: Harlingen – Dokkum (80 km)
Find tips and tricks for planning your trip here: Cycling the Eleven Cities Tour | Friesland.nl
Three of the Eleven
On this stage, you’ll visit three of the Eleven Cities: Dokkum, Leeuwarden and Sneek. The starting point, Dokkum, is the famous turning point of the tour. Then comes Leeuwarden, the skaters’ finish line and the cultural heart of Friesland. Finally, Sneek, a wonderful finishing point for your tour, with its iconic Waterpoort, lively streets and terraces. Discover our best tips for visiting these cities here.
Eleven Cities icons
Between Dokkum and Leeuwarden, the landscape is steeped in stories of the Eleven Cities Tour. There’s the statue of Maarten van der Weijden, the iconic Eleven Cities bridge in Bartlehiem, and, of course, Friesland’s most famous Eleven Cities monument: the Tegeltjesbrug, or Tile Bridge. Even beyond the finish in Leeuwarden, there is plenty to discover in the city. Please note: to see all the sights, you’ll need to make a few detours from the route.
Visit all the sights
To visit all the sights, in summer, take the ferry at junction 36 near Wyns. Check the current departure times here before setting off and bring some cash. From here, follow 35 – 30 – 29 – 28 (then towards 47) to reach the Tegeltjesbrug. Return to junction 28 and then follow 79 – 27 – 73. At this last junction, turn left and cycle via Groningerstraatweg to the Bonkevaart. Cycle back to junction 73, then follow 85 to rejoin the official cycling route.
Cycling the route in winter? The ferry does not operate during the winter. Instead, you can cross the water from Burdaard (junction 12). Follow 32 – 31 – 35 – 30, and then continue as described above from Wyns (please note: this means you will not pass the Bartlehiem bridge either).
Locations on this route
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01
Start point:
Waypoint bike 01
Dokkum
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11Fountains Dokkum
11Fountains Dokkum
The Ice Fountain is a toy for the elements and no two days are the same. The ice draws patterns on the copper surface layer of the sculpture.
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TIP Dokkum - Eleven Cities Stamp Point
TIP Dokkum - Eleven Cities Stamp Point
This is where you can get your stamp for the Tour of Tours! Whether you’re travelling by bike, on foot, by boat, by car or by motorbike, come on in and collect proof of your visit to this beautiful Eleven Cities town.
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Elfstedentocht Turning Point - Dokkum
Elfstedentocht Turning Point - Dokkum
Sit on a bench shaped like a traditional Frisian ice skate next to the famous turning point on the Elfstedentocht route. This is one of Dokkum’s most popular Instagram hotspots!
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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje near Dokkum
Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje near Dokkum
The Eleven Cities skater Aukje near Dokkum by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”
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Artwork Maarten van der Weijden
Artwork Maarten van der Weijden
Artwork Maarten van der Weijden who had to stop his Elfstedenzwemtocht in Burdaard in 2018.
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Bartlehiem Bridge - Elfstedentocht
Bartlehiem Bridge - Elfstedentocht
Bartlehiem has no city rights, it is not even a village, but this hamlet is a world-famous place on the Elfstedenroute ("Eleven Cities Route").
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The Hurdriiders
The Hurdriiders
The artwork De Hurdriiders, an initiative of Doarpsbelang Aldtsjerk, depicts two groups of skaters in the landscape.
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Eleven Cities Monument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk
Eleven Cities Monument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk
Across the river De Murk near Gytsjerk you will find the famous Tegeltjesbrug, the Eleven Cities Monument of Friesland.
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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Leeuwarden
Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Leeuwarden
The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Leeuwarden by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the “Tour of Tours.”
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Bonkevaart - Elfstedentocht Finish Line
Bonkevaart - Elfstedentocht Finish Line
Whether you experience it standing on the ice, on the bank, or from the water, this historic stretch of water is a must-visit!
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Leeuwarden (Ljouwert)
Leeuwarden (Ljouwert)
Leeuwarden, or Ljouwert as we say in Friesland, is buzzing. From tourists and students to locals. From unforgettable adventures to wandering through cozy little streets.
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Eleven Cities Tour winner Karst Leemburg
Eleven Cities Tour winner Karst Leemburg
Street art portrait of Eleven Cities Tour winner Karst Leemburg.
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Visitor Center Leeuwarden - Eleven Cities Stamp Point
Visitor Center Leeuwarden - Eleven Cities Stamp Point
This is where you can get your stamp for the Tour of Tours! Whether you’re travelling by bike, on foot, by boat, by car or by motorbike, come on in and collect proof of your visit to this beautiful Eleven Cities town.
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11Fountains Leeuwarden
11Fountains Leeuwarden
Love’ consists of two 7 meter high, white sculptures of a boy and a girl. They seem to be looking at each other, but their eyes are closed.
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The Eleven Cities skater and Wall of Fame
The Eleven Cities skater and Wall of Fame
In front of the entrance to the Elfstedenhal, the “Tour of Tours” lives on through De Elfstedenrijder and the Wall of Fame.
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Sneek (Snits)
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.
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Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Sneek
Eleven Cities Tour sculpture Aukje in Sneek
The Eleven Cities skater Aukje in Sneek by Evert van Hemert. Aukje is part of a series of eleven sculptures donated by the artist to the Eleven Cities, as a tribute to the women who took part in the Tour of Tours.
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VVV Sneek - Eleven Cities Stamp Station
VVV Sneek - Eleven Cities Stamp Station
This is where you can get your stamp for the Tour of Tours! Whether you’re travelling by bike, on foot, by boat, by car or by motorbike, come on in and collect proof of your visit to this beautiful Eleven Cities town.
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11Fountains Sneek
11Fountains Sneek
A man with a Horn of Plenty stands on a golden ball in the middle of the water.
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End point:
Waypoint bike 51
Sneek
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