Short circular walk through the Bakkeveense Duinen dunes

Nature reserve
Bakkeveen is a beautiful area where you can enjoy walking through forests, heathland and sand drifts. There are also many interesting historical and cultural features to explore. The Bakkeveense Duinen dune reserve, also known as the It Mandefjild heath, occupies an area of more than 200 hectares. The reserve is managed by It Fryske Gea, the organisation that protects Friesland’s natural and cultural heritage. It is a very popular place for a scenic walk so it is best to avoid going there on fine weekends when it can get quite crowded. 

Remains of pingos
This short circular walk leads you past the remains of two collapsed pingos that contain the Harmsdobbe and Poepedobbe ponds. Pingos are dome-shaped hills pushed up by lens-shaped pockets of ice that formed beneath the ground during the final stages of the last Ice Age. When the ice melted, the tops of the hills collapsed inward leaving circular craters. The small lakes that formed in these craters were later used for agricultural purposes such as sheep washing. 

Red guide posts
This short 3.5-kilometre walk is clearly marked with red guide posts so it is almost impossible to get lost. Or if you prefer, you can follow the walking route network junctions listed below. There are also longer walks you can do from the car park at the Tourist Transfer Point (Toeristisch Overstap Punt or ‘TOP’).

Fun for dogs 
Faithful four-legged friends are also welcome and can be let off the leash on the sand drifts at the start and end of the route. However, please be considerate of other visitors and be sure to clean up after your pet! In the rest of the area, dogs must be kept on a leash.

Refreshments 
At the end of the trail there are several cafés where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or lunch after completing the walk. In the summer, you can head for one of the terraces next to the canal in the centre of the village.