Cycling tour Slachtedyk Friesland

(99.4 km)

Explore the Frisian landscape on two wheels and let yourself be enchanted by a cycling tour along the Slachterdyk!

Slachtedyk is an ancient dike, approximately 42 kilometers long, that was historically essential for protecting the land against the Middelzee. It is one of the most well-known dikes in Friesland. What makes this dike particularly special is that since 2000, a marathon has been held every four years, adding an interesting cultural and historical aspect to the route. The dike runs from Oosterbierum to Raerd.

With this cycling route, you'll cover the initial stretch along the dike, ending in Raerd. Take a break there before continuing the route, completing the loop to return to the starting point (Oosterbierum).

Sights on this route

Starting point:

8854 Oosterbierum

Getswerdersyl

The Getswerdersyl was the northernmost lock of the Slachtedyk. In 1982, the lock was demolished, and a large memorial monument now stands in the place of the old lock.

Franeker (Frjentsjer)

The Elfsteden city Franeker is a captivating town with its rich university history. For many years, this city was home to numerous students, including well-known names such as Descartes.

Bezoek Franeker

Achlum

Achlum is a picturesque village along the Achlumervaart. Did you know that the alternative Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour) passes through this canal? The Slachtedijk also runs along the village. Explore the numerous national monuments on foot, by bike, or by boat.

Gertrudis-Church Achlum

The Reformed church is located on a relatively high mound along the Slachtedijk, originally dedicated to Saint Gertrude. It is a national monument.

Aylvapoldermill Burgwerd

This polder mill was built in 1846 and reconstructed in the year 2000.

Lytsewierrum (Lutkewierum)

Visit the terp village of Lytsewierrum, located at the end of a dead-end road. The village has a protected village view.

St Martin’s Church Fresco

While restoration work was being carried out at St Martin’s Church in Boazum, a remarkable fresco was discovered. The 12th-century church is one of the oldest Roman churches in Friesland. The fresco is very unusual in that it shows Jesus without a beard.

The Swette

The Swette was dug as a drainage and boundary ditch between the regions of Oostergo and Westergo after the Middelzee had silted up.

Raerd (Rauwerd)

Discover Raerd, a Frisian terp village that radiates tranquility, space, and a sense of community.

Wieuwerd

Wieuwerd is a mummy village in the northern part of Southwest Friesland.

Visit Wieuwerd

Mummy Crypt in Wiuwert

In 1765, carpenters working in St Nicholas Church in Wiuwert had the fright of their lives when they unexpectedly came across seven perfectly preserved bodies in the crypt. The carpenters fled from the church in panic.

Sint Jorischurch Britswert

Although there are no mummies to be seen in the church of Britswerd, it is interesting to visit this 12th-century house of worship, constructed from yellow Frisian bricks.

Skrins Meadow Bird Reserve

The Skrins meadow bird reserve between the villages of Wommels and Oosterlittens is a popular foraging and roosting spot for many birds. In the spring, the flower-filled grasslands are perfect for nesting.

Skrins - Bird watching cabin

Meadow bird sanctuary.

Hinnaard Bell Tower

The village of Hinnaard was built on a mound. The village graveyard, which is also on the mound, is surrounded by elm trees and an elm tree hedge. Some of the headstones mark more recent graves but others date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. In the m

Path along the Bolswardertrekvaart (Bolsward Canal).

A beautiful walking and cycling path along the tow canal of the Bolsward to Leeuwarden canal, near Burgwerd. The path is also referred to as a towpath.

Oosterlittens (Easterlittens)

The chimney of the former factory serves as a unique landmark for the terp village. Oosterlittens is a diligent and active village. For several years now, it has also been hosting the Open Frisian Championship in 'Jeu de Pelote.

Baard

Baard, a cozy terp village in the green meadows of the Greidhoek. Did you know that the residents are called 'Baarder katten' (Baarder cats)? The proverbial 'dogs' live in Leons. The statue in the center commemorates these earlier times.

Dronryp (Dronrijp)

The largest village in the municipality of Waadhoeke, rich in history. The birthplace of, among others, Eise Jeltes Eisinga, a famous amateur astronomer, patriot, and builder of the Eise Eisinga Planetarium. In addition to cultural heritage, it is bustling with events.

Statue Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema

The statue of the famous painter Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema stands in front of his birthplace in the center of Dronryp.

Former residence of Eise Jeltes Eisinga

When Eise was about 5 years old, the family moved to Brêgebuorren 14 in Dronrijp. Here, he practiced the profession of wool comber before moving to Franeker.

Berltsum (Berlikum)

A terp village with urban ambitions. Berltsum is also called the twelfth city of Friesland. Located on the northern eleven cities sailing route. In and around Berltsum, there are plenty of opportunities for cycling and walking.

Dome church Berlikum

Koepelkerk in Berltsum, both the church and the organ are national monuments.

Wier

Wier is a small, unique village with a rich history, situated between Harlingen and Dokkum. Until dikes were built in the 16th century, the village was located along the Wadden Sea. Be sure to visit the night garden and the Ioannis Theatertsjerke Wier.

Sint Jacobiparochie (Sint-Jabik)

Sint Jacobiparochie was established in 1505 when Het Bildt was reclaimed by laborers from South Holland, Zeeland, and Friesland. It is particularly well-known for the Groate Kerk (Great Church), serving as the starting point for the pilgrimage route called the Jabikspaad.

Groate Kerk church in Sint-Jacobiparochie

The imposing Groate Kerk church in the town of Sint Jacobiparochie has served as a cultural centre for the Het Bildt region for several decades, hosting concerts, meetings and other events.

Westhoek (De Westhoek)

Unexplored gem of a village with just a few farms and dike houses located along the Oudebildtdijk. Here, as a nature lover and seeker of tranquility, you can enjoy expansive vistas. You can smell the salty air from the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Wadden Sea.

Koehool: de dijk

Wat een dijk! Het is een flinke klim, maar bij helder weer kun je de waddeneilanden zien liggen. Niet alleen de hoogte van de dijk imponeert, maar ook de strakke en rechte vorm. Vroeger was die veel grilliger.