Sailingroute 'wild nature'

This route takes you through the most beautiful nature reserves of Friesland and Overijssel with all the different landscapes the provinces have to offer. While sailing enjoy the nature reserves, lakes and ditches, as well as the picturesque villages.

  • week
  • orange: 2,60m blue: 5,20m
  • 131km

Sailingroute 'wild nature'

From Terherne you depart for the picturesque Akkrum. Akkrum is a pleasant village with a number of shops and various facilities such as a supermarket, a butcher and a bakery. There are also several nice marinas to spend the night. 

After Akkrum sail on over Het Deel and the Nieuwe Heerenveense Kanaal, towards Heerenveen.
Heerenveen is a city that contains several moorings and harbours, making it easily accessible. In the centre there is a nice shopping street and Heerenveen also has excellent restaurants. There are also plenty of other activities to consider like the cinema, museums and going out. See the rest of this sailingroute or rent a motorboat in Friesland to sail this route with.

The rest of the Wild nature route

  • Sailing via the Driewegsluis to Steenwijk

    After Heerenveen, the Route continues over the Engelenvaart towards Delfstrahuizen. The Engelenvaart is a shallow navigation channel. So keep in mind not to sail too fast.

    While sailing through the beautiful Frisian landscape you arrive at the Driewegsluis. Here there are several beautiful spots in the wild or in the marina to spend the night. 

    The route continues to Steenwijk. Steenwijk is also beautiful to sail through. 
    Steenwijk has plenty of things to do. You can enjoy shopping, a day of bowling, the cinema or swimming. Steenwijk also has the Rabo Theater De Meenthe with a wide range of performances. Ranging from cabaret, dance, child & youth performances, classical, regional, musical, music to show & entertainment and theater. In the Theater restaurant you can enjoy a casual drink or a delicious theater dinner. In short: everything you want under one roof for a lovely night out.

  • Sailing along Giethoorn and Blokzijl

    The route continues to Giethoorn, another stunning location. Giethoorn is a famous village at the top of Overijssel. The village is known as the “Dutch Venice” for its waterways, bridges and punts. Transport within the village usually takes place by punt, an open flat-bottomed boat that is pushed with a stick. In the village itself there are good restaurants, various shops, museums and galleries. There are also several marinas near Giethoorn where you can spend the night. After Giethoorn you sail through a beautiful stretch of nature and the Belter Wijde to Blokzijl. 

    Blokzijl is a pleasant village with nice terraces, it’s completely surrounded by water. Stroll through the cosy streets and experience the village’s rich history. You can also spend the night here among the houses in the heart of Blokzijl.

  • Spending the night in the wild

    The route goes back through the National Park de Weerribben over the Kalenbergergrachten towards Ossenzijl. Keep in mind that the Weerribben are very shallow waters and not to sail too fast.
    Ossenzijl, is located on the edge of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park. During the summer months it is pleasantly busy. All boat traffic passes the Ossenzijler Brug to and from the Frisian lakes. The Buitencentrum is the perfect starting point for excursions or walks through the beautiful nature of the National Park.

    After Ossenzijl the route continues to Echtenerbrug. For the smaller boats (clearance height 2.50 m) there is also an option to take an alternative route along Kuinre. This route goes through an open landscape via a lock through the centre of Kuinre. While sailing through the beautiful nature you arrive at the junction of the Jonkers or Heloma vaort and the Pier Christiaansloot. There are several options for overnight accommodation nearby. 

    One option is to sail on to Echtenerbrug and Delfstrahuizen and spend the night at the two ambient villages.  Would you rather wake up with a view of the lake? Then sail through Echtenerbrug and Delfstrahuizen over the Tjeukemeer to the Marchjepôlle. This is one of the beautiful islands in the middle of the Tjeukemeer.

  • Sailing over the Tjeukemeer through Joure to Terherne

    On the Tjeukemeer you sail on to Langweer. Langweer is a gorgeous and fun water sports village with a beach and playground for children next to the marina. In addition to a well-kept harbour, the village also has nice restaurants and cafes with occasional live music. In short, a vibrant water sports village where you can enjoy yourself.

    Over the Langweerderwiels and along the atmospheric Marrekrite spots on the Alde Wei, the route continues to the Sneekermeer. Along the way there is another possibility to visit Joure. Joure is a pleasant village with various shops and restaurants. In the port of Joure you are nicely sheltered and next to a park where you can take a nice walk. The distance to the centre is about 500 metres. There are plenty of activities on offer in Joure. For example, an indoor play forest, a swimming pool, a puzzle museum and a bowling and mini golf course. After Joure you continue on the Goingarijpster Poulen and the Sneekermeer towards Terherne. 

    On the way to Terherne you sail between islands, one by one nice Marrekrite places along the way. Nice to spend one last night. Another option is to spend the last night at our marina.

  • End in Terherne

    Once in Terherne, there is still plenty of fun to be had. Terherne is also known as the chameleon village. This vibrant and cosy village has 900 inhabitants in the winter and as many as 8000 in the summer. The chameleon island is highly recommended for children. The island has exciting paths that lead along and over the water, through trees and over swamps. In addition, there are activities such as pole vaulting over the ditch, the cable car and countless other adventures.

Bridge operating times

Bridge operating times in Friesland

When you are planning the route for an enjoyable cruise, it is useful to know the times of the bridges and locks in Friesland. Because they can vary for each bridge, and with the seasons.