A tour of Southwest Friesland

From Hindeloopen you can cycle through Southwest Friesland. A beautiful region where views over quiet waters, bird-rich polders and historic villages go hand in hand.

Eel in London
The first kilometers you mainly drive through the polder. There are some characteristic villages on your route, such as Gaastmeer. From the saddle you can see old Frisian farms and tjasker It Heidenskip, a polder mill from 1915. When you cycle into Heeg, take some time to enjoy the view, the old center has a protected village view. The village lived on eel for a long time. Until 1938, Heeger eel fishermen even had their own mooring at Tower Bridge in London.

Frisian bell chair
If you cross the river Ee in Woudsend, you enter the beautiful old village center. Another nice moment for a break. Just outside the village you can see a free-standing bell tower in the polder from the dike. The bell was probably cast in the thirteenth century. You can enjoy views for several kilometers over the Fluessen, one of the largest Frisian lakes.

Galama dams Akwadukt
Just before Koudum you drive over the Galamadammen Akwadukt, an aqueduct named after the nearby hamlet. The name Galamadammen (despite the many Frisian models) does not refer to ladies in gala, but to the Frisian family Galama that settled in this place before 1100. The Galama\\\'s have a rich history. For example, from 1628 to 1942 they had the right to charge tolls at the intersection of water (the current Johan Friso Canal) and road where they lived.