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Cycle and Ferry Tour around Workum

(30.0 km)

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From the charming streets of Workum, one of Friesland’s historical eleven cities, you set off on this delightful tour in a northeasterly direction. The 30-kilometre route leads you past reclaimed polders and beautiful Frisian Lakes. Near the end of the route, you board a little ferry that takes you back to Workum. In March and November the ferry sails between 11:00 and 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday. 

Near the locks
The route starts near the spectacular locks in Workum. Around …

Make it easy to navigate.
View the route in Google Maps.

From the charming streets of Workum, one of Friesland’s historical eleven cities, you set off on this delightful tour in a northeasterly direction. The 30-kilometre route leads you past reclaimed polders and beautiful Frisian Lakes. Near the end of the route, you board a little ferry that takes you back to Workum. In March and November the ferry sails between 11:00 and 16:00 on Saturday and Sunday. 

Near the locks
The route starts near the spectacular locks in Workum. Around the corner there is a car park where you can park for free. With a bit of luck, a boat will pass through the lock. If not, you can have a look at the old shipyard. If you turn around, the long It Soal canal that stretches out ahead of you leads to Lake IJsselmeer. At the very end, you can see Workum’s little white lighthouse.

Across the lake
From here, you start cycling north. This stretch of the route leads across reclaimed land, past little villages such as Ferwoude and Parrega. The body of water known as Aeltsjemeer was drained in 1877 to create new land. This area is 3 metres below the Amsterdam Ordnance Datum. You can actually see this in the landscape.

Narrow trail
The narrow trail you pick up just after Parrega will test your sense of balance as you make your way across the meadows to the village of Greonterp. There are also bridges and cattle grids to cross, so this route is not really suitable for rollerblades. But it is wonderfully scenic!

Reve village
A bit further on, you come to the small village of Greonterp. From 1964 to 1971, the Huize Het Gras farm workers’ cottage in Greonterp was the home of Dutch post-war writer and poet, Gerard Reve. It is definitely worth getting off here. Stroll past the cottages and take a seat on a bench near the bell tower.

Doris Mooltsje
From here, you continue on through the meadows to Oudegaaster Brekken (Aldegeaster Brekken) lake. To pass under the railway, you have to dismount and guide your bike down a flight of steps (not suitable for tricycles). On the other side you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the lake and the Doris Mooltsje windmill, one of the oldest drainage mills in Friesland. Doris was the last person to own and operate the mill.

Three little villages
When you get to the church in the village of Oudega, turn right and cycle over the bridge towards the village of Gaastmeer. Along the way you will see turnings to Sandfirden and Idzega. These two tiny dead-end villages are associated with Oudega. Together they are known as ‘the three little villages’. If you have enough time, they are definitely worth a visit.

The end of the world
In the hamlet of Kleine Gaastmeer turn right onto Kaepwei road, which leads to an area thought of as the end of the world. In the past this region was also known as ‘East Ynje’, the East Indies. On the left and right of the road, you will see meadows, geese and maybe a few cows. This road is a dead end for motorists but will lead you directly to the passenger and bike ferry.

Back in town 
After passing through the picturesque little village of Nijhuizum, you eventually arrive back in Workum. Stop on the market square (Merk) to admire the beautiful Waaggebouw weigh house and the Great or St Gertrude Church. Behind it is the Workum fountain with two lions spraying water at each other. Here in Workum, you can stop for a cup of coffee and something yummy before heading back to the car park near the lock.   

Sights on this route

Starting point:

Parkeerplaats
Seburch
8711 EE Workum
Navigate to starting point
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01

Hervormde Kerk Ferwoude

De bijzondere kleuren vallen je als eerste op aan de Hervormde Kerk van Ferwoude. Ze trekken je aandacht naar deze plek, waar al in de 13e eeuw een kerk stond.

Hervormde Kerk Ferwoude Kerk vanuit de lucht
02

Aeltsjemeerpolder

The Aeltsjemeerpolder is an area of peatland near the town of Workum that was reclaimed from a lake in 1877.

Aeltsjemeerpolder
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Visstek Workumertrekvaart

Bijzonder veel vis, tussen 2 van de 11 steden, prachtige vaart.

Visstek Workumertrekvaart
09

Johannes de Doperkerk Parrega

Als een lang bebouwingslint strekt het dorp Parrega zich uit langs de Workumer Trekvaart. Op een terpachtige plek, halverwege dit lint, ligt de Johannes de Doperkerk, omringd door een kerkhof.

Johannes de Doperkerk Parrega Johannes de Doperkerk vanuit de lucht
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Greonterp Bell Tower

The Greonterp bell tower was built in 1822. It consists of a square stone substructure, a pyramidal wooden superstructure, a bell chamber with baffled openings and a spire. There are similar bell towers in Hinnaard and Hartwerd.

Greonterp Bell Tower
15

Molen Doris Mooltsje

Molen Doris Mooltsje

Aldegeaster Brekken

The water of the Aldegeaster Brekken is located close to the village of Oudega SWF.

Aldegeaster Brekken Aldegeaster Brekken
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Zwemgelegenheid in Oudega

Zwemgelegenheid in Oudega

Oudega

Oudega is a cozy village situated on the Oudegaaster Brekken.

Visit Oudega

Oudega
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Gaastmeer

Gaastmeer is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the day and enjoy peace and space.

Visit Gaastmeer

Gaastmeer

Veerpont Droech oer de feart (Gaastmeer)

-Betalen met QR-code mogelijk, geen pin

Veerpont Droech oer de feart (Gaastmeer)
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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.

Visit Workum

Workum (Warkum) Workum Fontein

Façade stone wall

The façade stone wall is an original initiative and beautiful historic feature of Workum. 22 old façade stones have been incorporated under the gateway alongside number 18 on De Merk market square.

Façade stone wall

Jopie Huisman Museum

The Jopie Huisman Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the Frisian self-taught master painter Jopie Huisman. His love of nature and his compassion are a recurrent theme.

Jopie Huisman Museum

Museum Warkums Erfskip

Enjoy Workum from the weigh house!

Museum Warkums Erfskip

Sint Gertrudis church

On ‘De Merk’, you'll find ’Workum Cathedral’, Sint Gertrudis church. This is the largest late-Gothic cruciform church of Friesland, with the largest windows in all the province.

Sint Gertrudis church St. Gertrudiskerk vanuit de lucht

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.

11Fountains Workum

End point:

Parkeerplaats
Seburch
8711 EE Workum
Navigate to endpoint

Directions

Starting point:

Parkeerplaats
Seburch
8711 EE Workum
Navigate to starting point

* Vanaf de parkeerplaats rechtsaf, eerst naar knooppunt 20 om bij de sluis te kijken
* Dan terug naar knooppunt 22, neem het paadje achter de huisjes langs
* Pak de Makkumerdyk rechtdoor richting Ferwoude (knooppunt 1)
* In Ferwoude de weg volgen naar knooppunt 2 en zigzaggend naar knooppunt 7
* De N-weg oversteken en rechtsaf gaan om in Parrega te komen
* In Parrega bij de brug linksaf richting Hieslum
* Nog vóór Hieslum linksaf het kleine pad het weiland in nemen
* Door fietsen over het bredere betonpad en dan rechtsaf naar Greonterp
* Vanuit Greonterp rechtdoor en dan de eerste links naar knooppunt 15
* Onder het spoor door en daarna meteen over de hoge brug
* Einde fietspad rechtsaf om in Oudega te komen
* In Oudega bij de kerk rechtsaf over de brug met de witte leuningen
* Doorfietsen naar Kleine Gaastmeer, en daar rechtsaf richting de Keapwei
* Keapwei helemaal rechtdoor fietsen en dan de pont nemen
* Fietspad langs de vaart volgen naar Nijhuizum
* Bij knooppunt 16 links en dan direct rechtsaf slaan naar Workum
* Over het spoor fietsen en dan na de brug direct linksaf
* Onder de N-weg door met de tunnel naar Workum
* Fiets over de hoofdstaat 't Noard richting de Markt
* Vanaf de Markt is het nog een klein stukje rechtdoor naar de parkeerplaats  

End point:

Parkeerplaats
Seburch
8711 EE Workum
Navigate to endpoint
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