Section 2: Stavoren - Harlingen | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route
The section of the route takes you to no less than five of Friesland’s eleven cities: Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward and Harlingen. All situated in the west of Friesland.
The first three are close together. These small cities all have ports on Lake IJsselmeer.
Bolsward and Harlingen are larger. Bolsward was once on the shore of the former Middelzee estuary and Harlingen is (still) on the Wadden Sea coast. In these vibrant cities there is plenty to see and do.
You cycle from cycling junction to cycling junction, past charming little towns and villages and through vast stretches of countryside with church towers on the horizon.
Along the way you will see the new …
The section of the route takes you to no less than five of Friesland’s eleven cities: Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward and Harlingen. All situated in the west of Friesland.
The first three are close together. These small cities all have ports on Lake IJsselmeer.
Bolsward and Harlingen are larger. Bolsward was once on the shore of the former Middelzee estuary and Harlingen is (still) on the Wadden Sea coast. In these vibrant cities there is plenty to see and do.
You cycle from cycling junction to cycling junction, past charming little towns and villages and through vast stretches of countryside with church towers on the horizon.
Along the way you will see the new signs for the Elfstedentocht bicycle route. If you are cycling the route in the clockwise direction, follow the green signs. If you are cycling the route in the anticlockwise direction, follow the blue signs.
If you are looking for somewhere to stay, Harlingen is a lovely place to spend the night!
Sights on this route
Starting point:
Waypoint bike 64
Stavoren
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Waypoint bike 64
Stavoren
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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.
11Fountains Stavoren
The sea gives, the sea takes. Stavoren, once a rich Hanseatic city, has much to say on this subject. Floods, maritime trade wars, a port that silted up: the city fell into poverty several times.
Hindeloopen (Hylpen)
Hindeloopen, or Hylpen as we say in Friesland, is known for its painting and stylish costumes from the past.
11Fountains Hindeloopen
The city coat of arms, with its tree of life, with the deer and the doe surrounding it, is the source of inspiration for the fountain in Hindeloopen.
Workum (Warkum)
Workum (or Warkum as we say in Friesland), is one of the famous Frisian cities that has enjoyed city rights since 1399. Located on the shores of the former Zuiderzee and bordering the Frisian lakes.
11Fountains Workum
For centuries Workum’s city arms on ‘De Waag’ have been supported by two lions. They are naive and their theatrical pose prompts laughter.
Bolsward (Boalsert)
Bolsward, or Boalsert as we say in Friesland, is the city where history and architecture play a leading role. Let yourself be carried away by the rich history of this eleven cities city.
11Fountains Bolsward
Bats are intriguing, useful animals, crucial to the ecological system for their insect hunting. In Asian culture, the bat symbolises wealth, happiness and the blessings of old age.
Harlingen (Harns)
Harlingen is de Elfstedenstad aan het Wad. Een prachtige stad met een nautisch heden en verleden, gebouwd op de bodem van de oude zee...
11Fountains Harlingen
Harlingen used to be all about whaling. Nowadays we no longer kill these big and grandiose animals, but prefer to conserve them.
End point:
Waypoint bike 51
Harlingen
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Waypoint bike 51
Harlingen
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Directions
Starting point:
Waypoint bike 64
Stavoren
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Bebording:
Onderweg volg je de Elfstedenroute bordjes. De groene bordjes zijn voor de route met de klok mee (zoals de route op deze website is aangegeven). De blauwe bordjes zijn voor de route tegen de klok in.
Openbaar vervoer:
Kom je met het OV naar Friesland? In zowel in Stavoren als in Harlingen stopt de Arriva trein. Je fiets mag mee in de trein (koop wel een speciaal ticket hiervoor).
Horeca onderweg:
Klik op de rode knoppen bij de plaatsnamen in de lijst onder 'dit ga je zien' om een logeeradres of restaurant voor onderweg te vinden.
End point:
Waypoint bike 51
Harlingen
Navigate to endpoint
- 64
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- 04
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- 11
- 05
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- 51