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Tour of Holwerd

(47.0 km)

The route starts at the Holwerd aan Zee project office. Plans are being made here to bring the old trading terp back into direct contact with the Wadden Sea. The Wadden Experience Centre Noordhoren is located in the former Reformed Church and is also a starting point for excursions on the mudflats.

You cycle along the Holwerdervaart into the hinterland. Residents here once created small and large terps for when the sea flooded the land. If you look closely, you can still see them in the small terp villages of Lichtaard, Ginnum and Reitsum (where you can get fresh milk, custard and other dairy products at De Molketap).

Holwerd, Blija and Ferwert are still clearly recognizable as terps. Hegebeintum is the undisputed highlight. The visitor center at the base tells the story of the terp countryside.

After …

The route starts at the Holwerd aan Zee project office. Plans are being made here to bring the old trading terp back into direct contact with the Wadden Sea. The Wadden Experience Centre Noordhoren is located in the former Reformed Church and is also a starting point for excursions on the mudflats.

You cycle along the Holwerdervaart into the hinterland. Residents here once created small and large terps for when the sea flooded the land. If you look closely, you can still see them in the small terp villages of Lichtaard, Ginnum and Reitsum (where you can get fresh milk, custard and other dairy products at De Molketap).

Holwerd, Blija and Ferwert are still clearly recognizable as terps. Hegebeintum is the undisputed highlight. The visitor center at the base tells the story of the terp countryside.

After Ferwert, the route travels along the seawall. First along the seaside, past salt marshes and land reclamation. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers. In August and September, the samphire turns red and the sea aster blooms. You get an even better view of it all from the pier heading towards the Amelander ferry. Or take a break from your cycling trip here and walk to the Kees Wevers observation post, a bird-watching hut in the middle of the salt marsh.

You can't miss the two larger-than-life iron ladies on top of the dike: the artwork ‘Wachten op hoog water’ (Waiting for High Tide). Afterwards you cycle further while sheltered behind the seawall. If you’re the curious type, take a peek over the dike and see how the mudflats are different there.

After the beautiful village of Ternaard, the route heads back to Holwerd. In the future Holwerd aan Zee?

Breaks and accommodation

You’ll encounter places for a short or long break. Tea gardens, a B&B Bij de Pastorie, and an environmentally friendly Vegotel for vegan accommodation. It’s also possible to stay in Holwerd, whether it’s in a cozy holiday home, at the campsite or in a real villa. More information can be found here. 

Sights on this route

Starting point: Fiskwei 30
9151 HT Holwerd
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1

Bij De Pastorie Boutique Hotel

Bij De Pastorie Boutique Hotel near Dokkum. Charming church hotel in Reitsum. Book a hotel suite and enjoy how special it is to sleep in a luxourious refurbished church! Also coffeebar and terrace, shop with dishware by Emma Bridgewater/ Bunzlau Castle.

Bij De Pastorie Boutique Hotel
2

Rustpunt de Jister

Rustpunt de Jister,  Rustpunt de Jister is gevestigd in een terpdorp te Reitsum. Hier wordt nog actief melkvee gehouden. In 2022 zijn we van twee locaties naar een gegaan en melken nu 150 koeien...

Rustpunt de Jister
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Craft cotton printing factory, Kleine Lijn

Craft cotton printing factory Kleine Lijn in Blije is one of the few cotton printers in the Netherlands. Kleine-Lijn is a combination of workshop, tea garden and shop for unique hand-printed fabrics.

Craft cotton printing factory, Kleine Lijn
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Visitor's Center 'Terp Hegebeintum'

Hegebeintum, a small village in North East Friesland, known for its high mound. Activities around and in the village are announced here.

Visitor's Center 'Terp Hegebeintum'
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Sense of Place: Waiting for high tide

"Waiting for high tide" is a statue of Jan Ketelaar. The sculpture consists of two women, five meters high, welded from metal. A full woman and a thin woman. They overlook the sea. The image is about...

Sense of Place: Waiting for high tide
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Sint Willibrorduskerk

The Saint Willibrord Church in Holwerd is a special church. It has an unusual L-shaped construction and a tower with a remarkably large spire. The church also has a beautiful pulpit.

Sint Willibrorduskerk Buitenkant kerk Holwerd
End point: Fiskwei 30
9151 HT Holwerd

Directions

Starting point: Fiskwei 30
9151 HT Holwerd
  • B&B Bij De Pastorie
    A typical Frisian rectory. There is a china shop next to the house and you can spend the night in a lodge.

  • Rest stop Oan de Flappe
    Ready for some coffee and a tasty treat? The traditional Frisian farm (head-neck-body layout) Oan de Flappe is a great place to sit, with a view of a nature reserve with meadow birds such as the lapwing and the black-tailed godwit.
  • Rest stop Aylvastate
    You can enjoy a far-reaching view of the dairy farm’s tea garden. Free-range eggs and products from the orchard and vegetable garden are for sale along the roadside.
  • Hegebeintum visitor centre
    At the visitor center in Hegebeintum, discover why terps lie in a row in the landscape and how the terp inhabitants coped with death.
  • Kleine-Lijn tea garden
    Tea from our own garden. The fruit trees, plants and flowers also provide ingredients for the home-made cake and the traditional printed cotton shop.
  • Sense of Place Wachten op hoog water (Waiting for High Tide)
    Full-figured and thin. Together they gaze out over the sea. The two naked, welded metal ladies symbolize the quest for balance and exchange.
  • Rustpunt Nij Bonga
    In the garden under the old beech tree the rest area has been set up to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with delicacies and to recharge the e-bike. The cakes or pastries are baked by the residents of Holwerd.
  • Sint Willibrorduskerk
    The last stop on this route is the beautiful church from 1778, built in the style of Louis XVI, which has a special L-shape. Have a look for yourself and come in.
End point: Fiskwei 30
9151 HT Holwerd
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  • 34
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