Ferry-hiking route Oudegaaster Brekken

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A sizeable breezy hiking tour around the waters of the beautiful Oudegaaster Brekken, crossing the water by ferryboat along the way.

Mini village
Your walk starts in the age-old mini village of Nijhuizum. Here you’ll find Friesland’s smallest church, a simple building dating from 1721 and not even connected to mains electricity, surrounded by an old churchyard. Walking along the Nijhuizumervaart canal, you head for the ferry managed by the Renema family. At the given times, they will transport you safely ‘droech oer de feart’, which translates as keeping your feet dry over the canal, and charge you one Euro to do so.

Surrounded by grasslands 
Surrounded by grasslands, wander along the Keapwei towards Gaastmeer Lake. Just before Gaastmeer, in Kleine Gaastmeer, turn left towards Oudega. You are now on the Feandyk, a low-lying road which was regularly flooded in days gone by. At the Idzega junction, the Feandyk becomes the Tsjerkewei, taking you straight to the church of water sports village Oudega SWF. 

Coffee break
Oudega is the ideal spot for a tea or coffee break at a waterside café, and there’s a village shop as well. Continue along towards Blauwhuis and after Swimplak de Aldegeaster Brekken (with public toilets), turn left onto the cycle path towards Doris Mooltsje, the black windmill dating from 1780. You’ll have magnificent views over the water from this point. 

Bird Walhalla
Continue on with the Oudegaaster Brekken to your left and De Ryp nature reserve on your right. There are so many birds to be seen here! In autumn and winter, it’s a cacophony of geese, and spring sees meadow birds such as godwits, lapwings and oystercatchers foraging here. 

The finish
On merging back onto the road after a few kilometres, turn left. You’ll pass a number of farms and Nijhuizum Windmill. A few hundred metres further on and you’ll find yourself back in Nijhuizum centre and the end of your hike. Workum is just around the corner and is one of the a lovely eleven Frisian cities to enjoy a well earned lunch or dinner.

Is walking not your thing? This route can also be enjoyed by bike or on rollerblades.