Middelseerûte | Sailing route
The historic tow canal between Leeuwarden and Sneek used to be an important sailing connection. In 2005, the upgraded Middelseerûte was reopened, as part of the Frisian Lakes Project.
Now this sailing route - for motor yachts, sloops and sailboats with a good ironing mast - is a good alternative to the busy Prinses Margrietkanaal,
The Middelseerûte takes its name from the former Middelzee: it was a branch of the Wadden Sea that split Friesland in two until the year 1300. Characteristic are the mounds along the banks of the old sea, where the Frisians lived back then. The Middelseerûte takes you past many of these authentic mound villages, such as Boazum, Easterwierrum, Iens and Raerd. But the Elfsteden towns Sneek, Leeuwarden, Franeker, Bolsward and IJlst are also on the programme,
Renting a boat in Friesland
Don't…
The historic tow canal between Leeuwarden and Sneek used to be an important sailing connection. In 2005, the upgraded Middelseerûte was reopened, as part of the Frisian Lakes Project.
Now this sailing route - for motor yachts, sloops and sailboats with a good ironing mast - is a good alternative to the busy Prinses Margrietkanaal,
The Middelseerûte takes its name from the former Middelzee: it was a branch of the Wadden Sea that split Friesland in two until the year 1300. Characteristic are the mounds along the banks of the old sea, where the Frisians lived back then. The Middelseerûte takes you past many of these authentic mound villages, such as Boazum, Easterwierrum, Iens and Raerd. But the Elfsteden towns Sneek, Leeuwarden, Franeker, Bolsward and IJlst are also on the programme,
Renting a boat in Friesland
Don't have your own sailboat, motor yacht or sloop? You can easily rent one in Friesland. After proper instruction from the rental company, you can sail a boat of up to 15 metres in length in Friesland even without a licence.
Duration of the sailing route
This multi-day route is about 130 kilometres long in total (you can take a few side branches to shorten the route). Sailing at an average of 6 kilometres per hour, you'll be cruising for about 22 hours for a complete trip. Stay in several villages and towns along the way for a lovely week's break!
Bridges in Friesland
On this route, you'll encounter a number of bridges. Quite a few can be operated and fixed bridges are at least 2.50 metres high. Some bridges can be opened by yourself with the help of the Watersport App. Consult the Watersport App of the provinsje Fryslân to check the opening times of the bridges.
Sustainable sailing
Refuelling? Choose blue diesel. Or take an electric boat out. Something tasty for on the way? Fine, but make sure empty packaging does not blow overboard. And do you come across litter on the way? Then take it on board. Read more about sustainable water sports in Friesland.
Mooring a boat in Friesland
The villages along the Middelseerûte are easily accessible thanks to the many mooring facilities. Choose a cosy marina, where all facilities are available. In addition, there are free Marrekrite mooring places along the way. Moor, for example, in De Swette or enjoy the sunset at a jetty in the Easthimmer Mar. You will find all free mooring places and marinas in the Watersport App of the Province of Fryslân.
Fairway information
The fairway classification is largely DM on this route. This means that this waterway is accessible for boats with a maximum creep height of 2.40 m and a draught of 1.30 m. The stretch between Bolsward and Sneek is CZM, which also allows larger boats with a draught of up to 1.7 m and a height of 3 m.
Sights on this route
Starting point
8605 DL Sneek
Navigate to starting point
Loënga Bell Tower
The bell tower in the village of Loënga rises high above the graveyard and has a saddle roof. The bell is rung at 12:00 and 16:00 every day except Sunday.
Tolhuisje Zwette
DAG WANDELAARS, FIETSERS OF TOEVALLIGE PASSANTEN! Rustpunt Tolhuisje Zwette kunt u vinden aan de Oerdyk nummer 8 in Sneek. (bij knooppunt 64 na of voor het witte bruggetje) Neem gerust contact op :HoiTolhuisjezwette@outlook.com
Langlânsbrêge
De Langlânsbrêge is een vaste brug en onderdeel van de Middelseerûte, die in het kader van het Friese Meren Project werd heropend.
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.
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.
Aanlegsteiger LM72A
In een zijtak van het Van Harinxmakanaal - het Sylster Rak bij Ritsumasyl - vind je deze aanlegsteiger van de Marrekrite.
Poldermolen Terpzigt
De molen werd in 1981 gerestaureerd en is officieel op 27 mei 1981 met een rondmaal-circuit weer in werking gesteld. De molen is de kleinste spinnenkop van Fryslân. Op afspraak te bezichtigen.
Poldermolen De Rentmeester
Deze in 1833 gebouwde monniksmolen is in 1981/1982 verplaatst uit de voormalige Noorderpolder bij Dronrijp en meteen opgebouwd en gerestaureerd op het erf van de in 1969 afgebrande poldermolen van de Zuidoosterpolder.
Poldermolen de Kievit
De Kievit werd in 1802 gebouwd voor de bemaling van de 265 ha grote Berlikumerpolder, waarbij hij zowel kon inmalen als uitmalen. De molen staat op particulier terrein en is alleen te bezichtigen wanneer hij draait en op afspraak.
Dome church Berlikum
Koepelkerk in Berltsum, both the church and the organ are national monuments.
Elfstedentocht beeld Aukje in Franeker
Beeldjes van 'Aukje de reedrydster' (Aukje de schaatster) op een hoge cortenstalen sokkel staan in alle elf steden van Fryslân, en een in Kolderwolde. Alle beelden staan aan de elfstedentochtroute daar waar de weg het water kruist.
Elfstedentocht beeld Aukje in Franeker
Elfstedentocht beeld Aukje in Franeker
Professor Loréstraat aan de Dongjumervaart, vlakbij het Elfstedenbruggetje
Professor Loréstraat
8801 EN Franeker
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.
Jachthaven Franeker
Van harte welkom in onze jachthaven. De haven is toegankelijk motorboten en zeiljachten met een diepgang tot 2.00 meter.
Museum Martena
Museum Martena is the museum of the city of Franeker. Traditionally Franeker is one of the eleven cities of Friesland, it has a historic center with canals, a street plan dating from the Middle Ages and many remarkable old buildings.
Winsum (Winsum)
Winsum is een terpdorp is gelegen ten zuidoosten van elfstedenstad Franeker, tussen Baijum en Oosterlittens en wordt omringt door groene weiden. Dit sportieve dorp staat bekend om de jaarlijks gehouden Friese kampioenschappen fierljeppen.
Camping passantenhaven It Krúswetter
Prachtige camping met een passantenhaven tegen het mooie Easterlittens gelegen. Aan een kruispunt van visrijke vaarten aan de middelseeroute . Beschutte ruime plaatsen met geweldig wijdse uitzichten en zonsondergangen.. In ons eetcafetje met gezellig...
Camping passantenhaven It Krúswetter
Camping passantenhaven It Krúswetter
Skrinserdyk 10
8835 XE Easterlittens
Wommels
Wommels is a mound village located in the heart of the Greidhoek. Every year, the Freulepartij is played in Wommels, which is a highlight on the village's calendar.
Museum It Tsiispakhûs
The village of Wommels has a rich history in the field of butter-but even more so in the cheese trade. The many still clearly recognisable cheese merchant houses in Wommels are a reminder of that time, which lasted from ca. 1880 to 1910.
Slachtedyk
Deze 42 kilometer lange slaperdijk beschermde eeuwenlang een flink deel van Noordwest-Fryslân tegen het water. Sinds 2000 is It Fryske Gea eigenaar en beheerder van de dijk. “De bochtige Slachtedyk is een beeldbepalend cultuurhist...
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.
Path along the Bolswardertrekvaart (Bolsward Canal).
Path along the Bolswardertrekvaart (Bolsward Canal).
Trekpad
Burgwerd
Bolsward (Boalsert)
Bolsward, or Boalsert as we say in Friesland, is the city where history and architecture play a leading role. Let yourself be carried away by the rich history of this eleven cities city.
Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'
Museum De Tiid, in the former historic town hall in Bolsward, shows the fascinating history of Southwest Fryslân. Take your time for the interactive presentations and feast your eyes in the photogenic council chamber, on the steps and in the city hall tow
Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'
Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'
Onderdeel van Cultuur Historisch Centrum De Tiid
Jongemastraat 2
8701 JD Bolsward
Brug Wolsumerketting
De brug bij de Wolsumerketting ligt over het water van de Wymerts, dat is de vaart die Bolsward en IJlst verbindt.
Johanneskerk Oosthem
Voor een klein terpdorp als Oosthem, is de Johanneskerk opvallend groot. De bestaande kerk kon de belangstelling om vermaarde Reveil-predikanten te horen preken niet aan, dus werd er in 1860 een nieuw godshuis gebouwd. Voor maar liefst 400 mensen.
Aanlegsteiger SN92
Langs een smal schelpenpaadje dat wandelaars van Oosthem naar Nijesyl leidt, vind je deze aanlegsteiger met nummer SN92.
IJlst (Drylts)
IJlst (or Drylts in Frisian) is not only one of the famous 11 cities, but also a 'wood city'. For many years, tree trunks were processed here by the legendary wood trading companies Oppedijk and S.O. de Vries.
Museum en Werkplaats Houtstad IJlst
Experience the history of IJlst during an active visit to: Museum and workshop Houtstad IJlst. IJlst has been connected with wood for many centuries.
Geau Akwadukt
Het aquaduct over de Geau (Geeuw) bevindt zich aan de zuidzijde van de waterrijke Elfstedenstad Sneek en is onderdeel van de rondweg om Sneek.
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.
Water Gate Sneek
The Waterpoort in Sneek is a water gate, a gate in a defensive wall that connects a city to a waterway. In the 15th and 16th century, a defensive wall had been built around Sneek.
Marina and Campsite de Domp
De Domp has a picturesque city campsite with harbour for pleasure yachts, located on the banks of the Oudvaart with open access to the Sneekermeer and the Middelseeroute to Leeuwarden.
Marina and Campsite de Domp
Marina and Campsite de Domp
Jachthaven en Camping De Domp
Jachthaven de Domp 4
8605 CP Sneek