The 3 Ferries Cycle Tour around Sneek

Limited access

(50.0 km)

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This wonderful bike ride around Sneekermeer lake includes three ferry crossings. The ferries run throughout the day in the summer. In March and November they sail between 11:00 and 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

The water gate city
As you would expect, this cycle tour starts in Sneek, one of Friesland’s historical eleven cities. The city has a famous water gate, so it is also known as ‘the water gate city’. You set off from the VVV tourist office at the Frisian Maritime Museum in the vibrant centre of Sneek. The city is a haven for those who enjoy water sports and has a rich history when it comes to water. Start by heading east out of town.

Griene Dyk
You will soo…

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Griene Dyk
You will soon find yourself on Griene Dyk, which means ‘green dike’. This pretty little road leads along the banks of Sneekermeer (Snitsermar) lake. The road is rarely used by motorists and, as its name suggests, it is surrounded by green countryside. You pass the Potschar nature reserve where there are several bird-watching points and continue on to the village of Jirnsum.

Oude Schouw
You cross the water of the Princess Margrietkanaal and arrive in the hamlet of Oude Schouw. You will see the River Boorne on your left. This confluence of three waterways has been a popular spot in Friesland for centuries. The historic waterside ferry station now houses Hotel-Restaurant De Oude Schouw.

You cycle past IJsboerderij Boereiis. In the summer, you can enjoy the wonderful dairy ice cream made on the farm.

Chameleon village
On to the ‘chameleon’ village of Terherne! But don’t expect to find reptiles here. Terherne is referred to as the ‘chameleon’ village because a famous Dutch children’s book series, De Kameleon, was set in and around the village. The village is laced with waterways and situated between Sneekermeer (Snitsermar) lake and Terkaplesterpoelen (Terkaplester Puollen) lake. Who knows? You may see Hielke and Sietse sailing by in their little red boat!

After Terhene, you pass two restaurants: Pavilion Salt and Picknickers. Both are situated in a beautiful location where you can relax on a terrace with a spectacular view of Sneekermeer (Snitsermar) lake.

Hairpin turns and ponds
You follow the hairpin trail to Goingarijp, a picturesque little village with a bell tower, on the banks of Goëngarijpsterpoelen (Goaiïngarypster Puollen) lake. From here, you cycle past a series of small ponds to the first ferry on this route, which will carry you across the Noorder Oudeweg (Noarder Alde Wei) waterway near Rufus.

The second ferry
As you head south under the motorway and cycle a short distance along the bank of Langweerderwielen (Langwarder Wielen) lake, you will see the second ferry come into view. The Woudfennen passenger and bike ferry will transport you across the water to the village of Boornzwaag. From here, it is just a short stretch to the charming little village of Langweer with its ancient lime trees and the impressive Osingastate estate. Along the way you pass the Langweerder Molen windmill, which was used to drain the polder and grind rye.

Twin villages
From Langweer, you cycle along Pontdyk road to the third ferry. This ferry is somewhat larger and also transports cars. You disembark on the opposite shore of the Langweerdervaart (Langwarder Feart) waterway and make your way back to Sneek through the twin villages of Uitwellingerga and Oppenhuizen, known locally as Top and Twel.

Highlights of Sneek
You return to the centre of Sneek via junction 50. At the second roundabout (just after the Lidl store), turn left into Anna Paulownastraat. If you continue along the water, you will arrive at the famous Waterpoort water gate that is the symbol of the city. Behind it is the Fountain of Fortuna created by Stephan Balkenhol. End your bike ride with a visit to the Frisian Maritime Museum, the final point on the route, where the VVV tourist office is located.

Refreshments
Want to stop for a drink and a bite to eat along the way? There are plenty of restaurants in Sneek, Terherne and Langweer and also along the route, where you can also charge your e-bike.

Don’t feel like cycling?
There are other options. You can do this route on rollerblades, an electric scooter, an e-chopper...!

View all routes.

Sights on this route

Tourist Information Sneek

In Sneek, you will find the Tourist Information at the Fries Scheepvaartmuseum. Here, a team of enthusiastic volunteers is ready to provide you with all the information you need!

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.

Ontdek Sneek

Potschar Nature Reserve and Groene Dijk Cycle Track and Footpath

The Groene Dijk cycle track and footpath along the bank of Sneekermeer Lake and through the Potschar nature reserve leads past bird observation points, a roost used by bats and sand martins and a canoeing route.

Sneekermeer - Potskar - Kijkheuvel met scherm

's Winters is dit een goede plek om nonnetje te zien. Soms komt de ijsvogel voorbij, welke hier in het verleden gebroed heeft. Sijzen, kepen en de kerkuil zijn met wat geluk ook te zien. U kijkt uit over het water dat via het gemaal naar het Sneeker...

Sneekermeer

The Sneekermeer (Frisian and official: Snitser Mar) is, of course, known for the Sneekweek, the annual sailing races held on this lake.

Beleef het Sneekermeer

Terherne

Terherne is known as the Kameleon village and is an island in the Sneekermeer. On one side, you'll find the lake, and on the other side, the Terhernster ponds.

Bezoek Terherne

Kameleondorp Terherne

Discover the village Lenten. Look at the village where Hielke and Sietse lived.

Goaiingarypster Puollen

The Goingarijpster Puollen is connected to the Sneekermeer at multiple locations.

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.

Zwettepoel Recreational Lake

Zwettepoel (in Frisian Swettepoel) is an idyllic recreational lake between the villages of Broek and Goingarijp in the Lage Midden or ‘low midlands’ area of Friesland. At one time the lake was connected to the Broekstervaart and Noorder Oudeweg waterways.

Veerpont Rufus (Broek)

-Pontje kan ook op afspraak worden ingezet. Op dit moment (nov 24) is de pont in groot onderhoud en is dat niet mogelijk.

Langweerder Wielen (Langwarder Wielen)

The Langweerder Wielen is located to the west of Joure.

Strandje Put van Nederhorst

Veerpont Woudfennen (Woudfennen)

The Langweer Mill

In this beautiful and in 2010 completely renovated mill you can now spend the night in nostalgic style.

Langweer

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

Verken Langweer

Noflik by Zwigt & Bosma

Our attractive restaurant with a cozy and sunny terrace is located in the middle of the main street.

Tussenstop: strijk neer op het terras van Noflik

Visitor Center and Tourist Information Langweer

Visit the Visitor Center in Langweer. Discover why Langweer is a true skûtsje village and why the swan is so important to this town. Buy the nicest souvenirs here, tickets for activities, and get inspired to explore Langweer and its surroundings.

Langweer Church

Several churches have stood on this site. The first was built at the start of the 13th century and destroyed by a fire in 1517. The bell tower church that stands here today was built in 1777.

Osinga State

The Osinga State is a stately house opposite the church in Langweer, consisting of multiple residential floors, tall windows, and an imposing entrance staircase.

Strandje aan de Langweerder Wielen - Langweer

Veerpont Langweerdervaart (Langweer)

-De pont vaart op feestdagen volgens de zondagsdienstregeling.

Krista's Terras Bag gallery

Drink a cup of coffee with homemade cake on the terrace at Krista's home. Or pay a visit to Krista's bag gallery in which she presents her own designed leather bags

Tussenstop: bezoek het rustpunt / terras van Krista's tassen galerie

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.

11Fountains Sneek

Out of use

A man with a Horn of Plenty stands on a golden ball in the middle of the water.

IJssalon MIN12 Sneek

Stay cool met een heerlijk ijsje van MIN12.

Eindstop: tijd voor ijs bij MIN12 Sneek