Between Oudegaaster Bracken and Waterpoort

 You cycle towards Workum. Due to its history and location, Workum is home to many monumental buildings and sights. The area around De Merk in particular shows that Workum, despite its elongated shape and lack of fortifications, is indeed a city. Here are several richly decorated patrician houses, the beautiful town hall, De Waag and the impressive Sint Gertrudis Church. The shopping and catering facilities are also concentrated around'De Merk\\\' and along'It Noard\\\' and'It Súd\\\'. And of course the tourist attraction of Workum: the Jopie Huisman Museum.

From Workum the cycle route goes towards a very small village of Nijhuizum, where there is a beautiful church. More than worth a visit. You then arrive at the Blokkenpaad. The most beautiful cycle path in our country. The cycle path goes along the water of the Oudegaaster Bracken. That's even more fun! This beautiful cycle path is great for cycling every month of the year. Via junction 15 you arrive in Greonterp. Greonterp is a mound village from the early Middle Ages. For a long time it was completely secluded among the lakes and pools. There was only one road leading to the village. Everything else was transported by water. Later there was a narrow road to Blauwhuis. The village also became famous when writer Gerard Reve (author of, among others,'de Avonden\\\') moved there in 1964. We arrive in IJsbrechtum via the villages of Blauwhuis, Abbega, Folsgare. Here you will find'Epemastate\\\' a 17th century state (1625). The beautiful state has been owned by the Van Eysinga family since 1652. In the past, 'the Grietmannen' (now: mayors) used to meet here.

From IJsbrechtum you cycle to Sneek. The Sneker city center is located within the city canals. The oldest area is the mound around the 'Martinin Church', the first construction of which took place in the 10th century. The entire city center and'Stationsbuurt\\\' are a protected cityscape. There are many canals and monumental buildings in the center. Parts of the walls of the current city center, including the famous Water Gate and the Bolwerk, are still present. A city walk in this place is definitely worth it.

After Sneek you will pass IJlst and Oudega. IJlst is one of the smallest Frisian Eleven cities and has a wide variety of historic buildings. The 725 year old town certainly invites you to visit. IJlst has had city rights since 1268. This makes it the fourth city (after Stavoren, Hindeloopen and Harlingen) in Friesland to receive city rights. The city was known for its shipbuilding and trading position. It originated on the Oude Ee or Ye, a small river between the Zuiderzee and the Middelzee. The town owes its name to this river. Only fragments of the Ee remain. One of them forms the central axis of the town and has the character of a canal. The street runs right past the houses and the gardens are across the street on the Ee side. These gardens bordering the water are called 'over-gardens'. These gardens belong to the houses located on the canals. The gardens are partly still in private hands and, like the former town hall, were used as a film set for the Kameleon film'Schippers van de Kameleon\\\' directed by Steven de Jong (2003).

From IJlst you then cycle to Oudega. Oudega is a cozy water sports village with a beautiful church from 1755 in the middle. Many Hoytema\\\'s found their final resting place in the church. The Hoytema State used to be located in Oudega. This family belonged to the prominent and influential families in Friesland from the 12th century onwards. They lived in Oudega for four centuries. From Oudega we head towards our end point Gaastmeer. Where you can enjoy this beautiful bike ride at'D\\\'ald Herberch\\\'.

More information about the Southwest Friesland region can be found on the VVV website: www.waterlandvanfriesland.nl