Dunes and dikes, forests and beaches, lakes and swamps. Nowhere else will you find so many different landscapes per square kilometer as in Friesland. An environment made for cycling and walking. No mountains to face, but a view as far as the eye can see. The Frisian landscape is one in which you can completely immerse yourself, where you come to your senses and which leave you reborn. For example, Friesland offers a connected network of pilgrim routes that allow you to discover the special Frisian landscape.
Jabikspaad (150 km)
Around the year 1000, pilgrims from all parts of Europe traveled to Santiago de Compostela for a prosperous and peace-loving Europe. In 1500 a new seaside village was created called Sint-Jacobiparochie, the Frisian starting point for the long journey to the Spanish city. Of course, only the Frisian part of the route can be walked. This runs from Sint-Jacobiparochie to Akkrum. While you encounter different cities and villages, you defy the unique landscapes of Friesland. Stay overnight en route in the special church Ievers in Easterwierrum.
St. Odulphus path (total 260 km)
This pilgrimage is 260 kilometers long and consists of 15 different routes through Southwest Friesland, the Greidhoeke and Gaasterland. Each route has its own theme that introduces you to the various landscapes and their rich history. During the walk you will experience the silence, peace and space. As a bonus, you will pass seven of the eleven Frisian cities! Stay overnight during the tour in Het Weeshuis in Bolsward. This special accommodation has served as a shelter for orphans for four centuries.
Bonifatius Monastery Path (12 stages with different lengths)
Walk from the mudflats to the forest and follow in the footsteps of Frisian monastic history. The monks Willibrord and Boniface spread the faith in Friesland and played an important role in shaping the contemporary cultural landscape. The Bonifatius Monastery Path connects wonder with nature. Experience beautiful landscapes, from the Wadden Sea coast and the open sea clay area to mound villages, moors and forests. Along the way, visit the Bonifatius chapel in the eleven-city city of Dokkum and spend the night in the cozy B&B De Koesfabriek.
Claercamp path (75 km)
The Claercamppad is a route that runs through the North Frisian landscape. The starting point is in Zoutkamp, just across the Frisian border, and ends at Sint-Jacobiparochie. On the way you pass Hegebeintum, the highest mound in the Netherlands. Also pay a visit to the Claercamp Monastery Museum. From the 12th to the 16th century this was the largest mother monastery in the Northern Netherlands. The monastery was demolished in the 16th century, but the museum still recalls the monastic life of yesteryear with the motto 'Terar dum prosim' (I may consume, if only I am useful). B&B Bij De Pastorie in Reitsum is a great place to stay for the night while on the road.
Spending the night in Frisian churches
To complete the pilgrim experience, you can spend the night in a number of historic Frisian churches while walking the routes. This way of staying overnight is also known as 'tsjemping', a combination of the Frisian word 'tsjerke' (church) and camping. The overnight locations called refugios offer simple sleeping places for a small fee. Hikers and cyclists can use a refugio between April and September on presentation of a route booklet from one of the four pilgrim routes or a pilgrim pass from the Dutch Society of Saint Jacob. Special locations include De Nicolaes Tsjerke in Swichum, De Redbadtsjerke in Jorwert and De Piterkerk in Lippenhuizen.
Visit www.friesland.nl/pelgrimsroutes for an overview of all pilgrim routes and other beautiful walking routes in Friesland.
Image:Marcel van Kammen
