Section 4: Dokkum - Sneek | Eleven Cities Bicycle Route
From the north to the centre. From Dokkum you cycle down to the capital city of Leeuwarden and from there to Sneek, the midpoint of the route.
There are usually headwinds along this section of the route. But don’t let that spoil it for you! Today you get to discover all kinds of lovely little places. You cycle down to Leeuwarden along the Dokkumer Ee canal. On your way through Bartlehiem you pass the famous little bridge. In Burdaard you pass the statue of Maarten van der Weijden, who swam the entire length of the Elfstedentocht for charity, and at Gytsjerk you get to see the ‘It Sil Heve’ tile bridge.
The last time skaters started …
From the north to the centre. From Dokkum you cycle down to the capital city of Leeuwarden and from there to Sneek, the midpoint of the route.
There are usually headwinds along this section of the route. But don’t let that spoil it for you! Today you get to discover all kinds of lovely little places. You cycle down to Leeuwarden along the Dokkumer Ee canal. On your way through Bartlehiem you pass the famous little bridge. In Burdaard you pass the statue of Maarten van der Weijden, who swam the entire length of the Elfstedentocht for charity, and at Gytsjerk you get to see the ‘It Sil Heve’ tile bridge.
The last time skaters started and finished the Elfstedentocht in Leeuwarden was in 1997. We all hope that one day there will be another Elfstedentocht! But even if it is not cold enough to skate, there is always plenty to see in the historic centre of Leeuwarden.
Then time to head back to Sneek along the Zwette canal. This stretch leads you through some charming little villages. Be sure to take in the panoramic views.
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 all goes according to plan, at the end of this section of the route congratulations are in order. You have completed the circuit of Friesland’s eleven cities!
Sights on this route
Starting point
De Zijl 2
9101 ML Dokkum
Navigate to starting point
Dokkum (Dokkum)
Dokkum is de meest noordelijk gelegen Elfstedenstad, ze ontstond nadat deze plek een bedevaartsoord werd na de moord op Bonifatius in 754.
![Dokkum kerk en fontein](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/jFEToKG81gEL8WhFs5aem-U7yUJBnik0qQSb2xoun6Q/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvZG9ra3VtLWtlcmstZW4tZm9udGVpbl83NDI2NTMwNTUuanBlZw.jpeg)
Kunstwerk Maarten van der Weijden
Kunstwerk van Maarten van der Weijden die in 2018 zijn Elfstedenzwemtocht moest opgeven in Burdaard.
![Beeld Maarten van de Weijden Elfstedentocht](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/RpuTmtbggfSwwWuUdzSjTWHdA-cZqRpQCzxFQCQ1-nw/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvYnVyZGFhcmQtbWFhcnRlbi12YW4tZGVyLXdlaWpkZW4tYmVlbGQtbW9sZW4tZWxmc3RlZGVudG9jaHRfMzE2MzcxODU1Mi5qcGVn.jpeg)
Kunstwerk Maarten van der Weijden
Kunstwerk Maarten van der Weijden![Beeld Maarten van de Weijden Elfstedentocht](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/RpuTmtbggfSwwWuUdzSjTWHdA-cZqRpQCzxFQCQ1-nw/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvYnVyZGFhcmQtbWFhcnRlbi12YW4tZGVyLXdlaWpkZW4tYmVlbGQtbW9sZW4tZWxmc3RlZGVudG9jaHRfMzE2MzcxODU1Mi5qcGVn.jpeg)
Naast de jachthaven aan het water
Hikkaarderdyk 37
9111 HR Burdaard
Burdaard (Birdaard)
Het idyllische dorp Burdaard ademt een sfeer van harmonie, trots en gemeenschapszin, met zijn prachtige windmolen als het kloppende hart van de gemeenschap.
![Burdaard](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/zjTVB-bYMKaes7czpZwWa632CD_QlTReyNT8LaCsfVc/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvYnVyZGFhcmQtYy12aXNpdC1mcmllc2xhbmRfMTg2OTgyNTkwNS5qcGc.jpg)
Bartlehiem Bridge - Elfstedentocht
The famous little wooden bridge on the Elfstedentocht route!
![](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/cMRCkDjnmeFyp5tRvQ_Ypr-Wi4nBdIgbPKMmsccH3IY/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvYmFydGxlaGllbS1kc2MwNjg3XzIwMDI5MTE2My5qcGVn.jpeg)
Bartlehiem Bridge - Elfstedentocht
Bartlehiem Bridge - Elfstedentocht![](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/cMRCkDjnmeFyp5tRvQ_Ypr-Wi4nBdIgbPKMmsccH3IY/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvYmFydGxlaGllbS1kc2MwNjg3XzIwMDI5MTE2My5qcGVn.jpeg)
Einde van de Zuidermiedweg
Bartlehiem 61
9178 GH Wânswert
Bartlehiem (Bartlehiem)
In de 20e eeuw werd Bartlehiem vooral bekend dankzij de Elfsteden schaatstocht.
![Kano Bartlehiem](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/R00gxC0T19b2qhCCcCuFRrqNRI0ztVqDxA0SCJ2KKNc/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvMjAwOC1qdWxpLWthbm8tZWxmc3RlZGVuLWJhcnRsZWhpZW0tbGlldXdlLWJsYW5rc21hXzIzMzAzODE2NzguanBn.jpg)
Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk
Over het riviertje De Murk bij Gytsjerk vind je de bekende Tegeltjesbrug, hét Elfstedenmonument van Friesland.
![Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk Elfstedentocht](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/ajnNcV9dqdf_isUuMQXN5JhaK5ICF721aTMUOy3zJlU/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvZWxmc3RlZGVubW9udW1lbnQtdGVnZWx0amVzYnJ1Zy1neXRzamVyay1lbGZzdGVkZW50b2NodF8zNjMyMjgyNzY1LmpwZWc.jpeg)
Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk
Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk![Elfstedenmonument Tegeltjesbrug Gytsjerk Elfstedentocht](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/ajnNcV9dqdf_isUuMQXN5JhaK5ICF721aTMUOy3zJlU/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvZWxmc3RlZGVubW9udW1lbnQtdGVnZWx0amVzYnJ1Zy1neXRzamVyay1lbGZzdGVkZW50b2NodF8zNjMyMjgyNzY1LmpwZWc.jpeg)
Weg tussen Gytsjerk en Miedum
Canterlandswei
Gytsjerk
Bonkevaart - Elfstedentocht Finish Line
Whether you experience it standing on the ice, on the bank, or from the water, this historic stretch of water is a must-visit!
![Finishpunt van de Elfstedentocht op de Bonkevaart](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/o9My3bzKIHN9a4SjfG7Av-0F3Gf8J2T5RKSC8na21D8/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvYm9ua2V2YWFydC1kb29yLXRpamRtYWtlcnNfNDA0MDk1MzM4OS5qcGc.jpg)
Bonkevaart - Elfstedentocht Finish Line
Bonkevaart - Elfstedentocht Finish Line![Finishpunt van de Elfstedentocht op de Bonkevaart](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/o9My3bzKIHN9a4SjfG7Av-0F3Gf8J2T5RKSC8na21D8/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvYm9ua2V2YWFydC1kb29yLXRpamRtYWtlcnNfNDA0MDk1MzM4OS5qcGc.jpg)
Groningerstraatweg
8926 XC 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 fontein](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/3hnlYiqx90XnklxDh1HdG09jacdJ__6duVLM7Jive68/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvbGVldXdhcmRlbi1mb250aWpuXzMwMzQwNjAxMjEuanBlZw.jpeg)
Boazum
Boazum was founded on an extensive mound connected to a watercourse that flowed into the Middle Sea.
![Boazum Friesland](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/U5bnnICkoUkikNu5FzmYQn0P5j0fqoDhZXuoQOI20yc/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2UvYm9henVtXzE2NjczOTgzMjUuanBn.jpg)
Sneek (Snits)
Sneek, or Snits as we say in Friesland, is the water sports city of the Netherlands. But Sneek is more than water sports and the Sneekweek. The city is bustling with events, culture, unique hotspots, and nice shops.
![Waterpoort Sneek](https://assets.plaece.nl/thumb/1HuJ5-CIRXJaI8Z3VFAqU5lYPJdAwqNi1DN0K6DCQ9c/resizing_type:fit/width:425/height:0/gravity:sm/enlarge:0/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGxhZWNlLm5sL29kcC1mcmllc2xhbmQvaW1hZ2Uvc25lZWstd2F0ZXJwb29ydC1lbGZzdGVkZW5zdGFkLWZyaWVzbGFuZF8zNDM4OTU2MS5qcGVn.jpeg)
End point
Grote Kerkstraat 10
8601 ED Sneek
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