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Elfstedenpad Hiking Trail (Overview)

(283.0 km)

Inspired by the famous Elfstedentocht tour skating event - the ‘tour of all tours’, the Elfstedenpad hiking trail needs to be on your bucket list!  

This 283-kilometre hiking trail through the province of Friesland is divided into 16 sections and takes you to the eleven historical cities and many picturesque little villages.

- Section 0: Tour of Leeuwarden
- Section 1: Leeuwarden-Mantgum
- Section 2: Mantgum-Sneek
- Section 3: Sneek-Balk
- Section 4: Balk-Wyldemerk
- Section 5: Wyldemerk-Stavoren
- Section 6: Stavoren-Workum
- Section 7: Workum-Bolsward
- Section 8: Bolsward-Wadden Sea Dike
- Section 9: Wadden Sea Dike-Herbaijum
- Section 10: Herbaijum-Berlikum
- Section 11: Berlikum-Hallumerhoek
- Section 12: Hallumerhoek-Dokkum
- Section 13: Dokkum-Wouterswoude
- Section 14: Wouterswoude-Oenkerk
- Section 15: Oenkerk-Leeuwarden

You can walk the Elfstedenpad hiking trail in any sea…

Inspired by the famous Elfstedentocht tour skating event - the ‘tour of all tours’, the Elfstedenpad hiking trail needs to be on your bucket list!  

This 283-kilometre hiking trail through the province of Friesland is divided into 16 sections and takes you to the eleven historical cities and many picturesque little villages.

- Section 0: Tour of Leeuwarden
- Section 1: Leeuwarden-Mantgum
- Section 2: Mantgum-Sneek
- Section 3: Sneek-Balk
- Section 4: Balk-Wyldemerk
- Section 5: Wyldemerk-Stavoren
- Section 6: Stavoren-Workum
- Section 7: Workum-Bolsward
- Section 8: Bolsward-Wadden Sea Dike
- Section 9: Wadden Sea Dike-Herbaijum
- Section 10: Herbaijum-Berlikum
- Section 11: Berlikum-Hallumerhoek
- Section 12: Hallumerhoek-Dokkum
- Section 13: Dokkum-Wouterswoude
- Section 14: Wouterswoude-Oenkerk
- Section 15: Oenkerk-Leeuwarden

You can walk the Elfstedenpad hiking trail in any season and you can start the trail at any point. To make things easy, 8 of the 16 sections start from a train station. But of course, it is more rewarding to walk the trail over a period of several days and stay in local B&Bs in Friesland!  

The trail is indicated by the red and yellow markings used internationally to mark long-distance hiking trails. Here and there, the trail departs from the route followed by the skaters to take you along the most beautiful footpaths. Not only do you get to see Friesland’s eleven historical cities, you also discover the countryside in between. 

The 16 sections of the trail are described on our website. On these pages you can find the junction numbers for each section of the trail. 

Sights on this route

Starting point:

Fryslânplein 1
8914 BZ Leeuwarden
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Leeuwarden (Ljouwert)

Leeuwarden, or Ljouwert as we say in Friesland, is buzzing. From tourists and students to locals. From unforgettable adventures to wandering through cozy little streets.

Visit Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden (Ljouwert) Leeuwarden fontein

Sneek (Snits)

Sneek, or Snits as we say in Friesland, is the water sports city of the Netherlands. But Sneek is more than water sports and the Sneekweek. The city is bustling with events, culture, unique hotspots, and nice shops.

Visit Sneek

Sneek (Snits) Waterpoort Sneek

IJlst (Drylts)

IJlst (or Drylts in Frisian) is not only one of the famous 11 cities, but also a 'wood city'. For many years, tree trunks were processed here by the legendary wood trading companies Oppedijk and S.O. de Vries.

Visit IJlst

IJlst (Drylts) Molen IJlst

Sloten (Sleat)

Sloten (or Sleat as we say in Friesland) is the smallest Elfsteden town in Friesland. This walled mini-city is also called sipelstêd (Frisian for onion city) thanks to the unique shape of an onion.

Visit Sloten

Sloten (Sleat) Sloten gracht

Stavoren (Starum)

Stavoren (or Starum as we say in Friesland) is very much the main city of the IJsselmeer, being enclosed by the lake on three sides. It is also the oldest city of Friesland, founded around 300 BC at a waterway, and gaining city rights in the 11th century.

Visit Stavoren

Stavoren (Starum) Fontein Stavoren

Hindeloopen (Hylpen)

Hindeloopen, or Hylpen as we say in Friesland, is known for its painting and stylish costumes from the past.

Visit Hindeloopen

Hindeloopen (Hylpen) Hindeloopen

Workum (Warkum)

Workum (or Warkum as we say in Friesland), is one of the famous Frisian cities that has enjoyed city rights since 1399. Located on the shores of the former Zuiderzee and bordering the Frisian lakes.

Visit Workum

Workum (Warkum) Workum Fontein

Bolsward (Boalsert)

Bolsward, or Boalsert as we say in Friesland, is the city where history and architecture play a leading role. Let yourself be carried away by the rich history of this eleven cities city.

Visit Bolsward

Bolsward (Boalsert) Bolsward Broerekerk

Harlingen (Harns)

Harlingen is de Elfstedenstad aan het Wad. Een prachtige stad met een nautisch heden en verleden, gebouwd op de bodem van de oude zee...

Bezoek Harlingen

Harlingen (Harns) Harlingen stad

Franeker (Frjentsjer)

The Elfsteden city Franeker is a captivating town with its rich university history. For many years, this city was home to numerous students, including well-known names such as Descartes.

Bezoek Franeker

Franeker (Frjentsjer) Franeker

Dokkum (Dokkum)

Dokkum is de meest noordelijk gelegen Elfstedenstad, ze ontstond nadat deze plek een bedevaartsoord werd na de moord op Bonifatius in 754.

Bezoek Dokkum

Dokkum (Dokkum)

End point:

Fryslânplein 1
8914 BZ Leeuwarden
Navigate to endpoint

Directions

Starting point:

Fryslânplein 1
8914 BZ Leeuwarden
Navigate to starting point

Wil je zo goed mogelijk in de schaatssfeer komen? Start dan in Leeuwarden bij de schaatsbaan de Elfstedenhal, hier is ook ruime parkeergelegenheid.

Van daaruit trek je naar het zuiden. Je doet achtereenvolgens de steden Sneek, IJlst en Sloten aan.

Dan wandel je door in westelijke riching, dwars door het glooiende Gaasterland, naar Stavoren, Hindeloopen en Workum, allemaal aan de IJsselmeerkust gelegen,

Dan is het tijd om het terpenland in te trekken richting Bolsward. Van daaruit terug naar de kust, aan het Wad ligt Harlingen te wachten en meer landinwaarts Franeker.

Dan volgt er een hele reis over het Bildt naar de noordelijkste stad Dokkum. Vanaf Dokkum wandel je door de beschutte Friese wouden terug naar het centrum van Friesland om in de hoofdstad Leeuwarden te finishen.     

End point:

Fryslânplein 1
8914 BZ Leeuwarden
Navigate to endpoint

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