The Frisian Forest Route

The Frisian Wouden Route takes you through the Frisian Wouden area. The Frisian Forests are characterized by the many alder banks, hedgerows and pingos. The starting point of the route is in the northernmost city in the Netherlands and also the second oldest city in Friesland, Dokkum. Since Boniface was murdered in 754, Dokkum has enjoyed international fame. Dokkum has more than 140 national monuments. You go from Dokkum to Ee. The terp village of Ee has the shortest place name in the Netherlands. In addition, Ee has a protected villagescape. The village also houses the only flax processing museum in the Netherlands,"Het Braakhok\\\". We also pass the Beintemapolder mill. This mill is capable of grinding. From Ee the route continues to Westergeest. The village was founded in the early Middle Ages on a sand surface northwest of the high ground of the Frisian Forests. Westergeest has a Romanesque church from the 12th century with murals. The next village the route visits is De Westereen. Turf huts existed in the Frisian Forest area until the beginning of the 20th century. These were poor homes occupied by large families. A number of stone turf huts can still be found in the village, especially on the Keapmânswei. From De Westereen you cycle past the village of Readtsjerk and then through the village of Rinsumageest. Rinsumageest has a special village view with high bridges over the village canal. Until 1881, Rinsumageest was the main town of the municipality of Dantumadeel. The old town hall still stands in the center of the village. On the way we pass another mill, the Klaarkampstermeer. The route leads you further to the hamlet of Sibrandahûs. In the village there is a church with a burial vault from the 13th century. This church originated as an outyard of the Klaarkamp monastery near Rinsumageest. The Frisian Forest Route ends at the starting point in Dokkum. This cycling route is offered to you by VVV Lauwersland. For more information about this region, visit www.vvvlauwersland.nl