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Oenkerk - Leeuwarden | Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail: Section 15

(15.3 km)

You walk from the village of Oenkerk to Giekerk. Just outside this village you pass the Delft blue Elfstedentocht bridge – the last bridge the skaters pass under on their way to the finish line. On one side of the bridge, Delft blue portrait tiles depict skaters competing in the event. On the other side are the words 'IT SIL HEVE' (‘IT WILL HAPPEN’).

You carry on along the bank of the Dokkumer Ee canal through the little villages of Lekkum and Snakkerburen to the stretch of water that served as the finish line until 1963. Later the finish line of the tour skating event was moved to the Bonkevaart canal, a side branch of the Dokkumer Ee canal that runs alongside the Groningerstraatweg road. But this is not a pleasant road to walk along, 

so you sk…

You walk from the village of Oenkerk to Giekerk. Just outside this village you pass the Delft blue Elfstedentocht bridge – the last bridge the skaters pass under on their way to the finish line. On one side of the bridge, Delft blue portrait tiles depict skaters competing in the event. On the other side are the words 'IT SIL HEVE' (‘IT WILL HAPPEN’).

You carry on along the bank of the Dokkumer Ee canal through the little villages of Lekkum and Snakkerburen to the stretch of water that served as the finish line until 1963. Later the finish line of the tour skating event was moved to the Bonkevaart canal, a side branch of the Dokkumer Ee canal that runs alongside the Groningerstraatweg road. But this is not a pleasant road to walk along, 

so you skip this bit. Instead, you carry on to the nicer setting of Prinsentuin park in Leeuwarden where you can feel very proud of having completed the ‘tour of all tours’!

You trekked an impressive 283 kilometres through the Frisian countryside and visited all of Friesland’s eleven cities: Leeuwarden, Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker and Dokkum! Congratulations! We hope you will enjoy looking back on your experience of walking the Elfstedenpad hiking trail for a long time to come.

Sights on this route

Starting point:

Rengersweg 62
9062 EG Oenkerk
Navigate to starting point
28
35
76
52
87
45
77
23

Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk

Over het riviertje De Murk bij Gytsjerk vind je de bekende Tegeltjesbrug, hét Elfstedenmonument van Friesland.

Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk Elfstedentocht
46
36
41
35
30
04

City Park and Marina De Prinsentuin

In 1648, a park/pleasure garden was constructed on this site by order of Prince Willem Frederik of Nassau. A tribute to the end of the 80 years war and the peace of Münster. This part of the city would remain closed to the public for another 150 years.

City Park and Marina De Prinsentuin
51

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.

11Fountains Leeuwarden

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.

Leeuwarden (Ljouwert) Leeuwarden fontein

Directions

Starting point:

Rengersweg 62
9062 EG Oenkerk
Navigate to starting point
  • Door het park wandel je richting knooppunt 28, 35. Daar rechtsaf en even later linksaf naar 76. Daar rechtsaf naar 52.
  • Volg 87, 45, 77 door Giekerk. Daarna door naar 23, 46 en 36 op weg naar Lekkum.
  • Volg knooppunt 41, 35, 30, 4 en 51 naar het eindpunt in Leeuwarden. 

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.

Leeuwarden (Ljouwert) Leeuwarden fontein
  • 28
  • 35
  • 76
  • 52
  • 87
  • 45
  • 77
  • 23
  • 46
  • 36
  • 41
  • 35
  • 30
  • 04
  • 51