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The 11 Frisian Cities cycling tour
- The eleven historical cities of Friesland
- Typical Frisian architecture: farmhouses, manors and other monuments
- Peaceful green landscape full of canals and lakes
- Easy cycling on the flat, along quiet roads and bike lanes
- A paradise for bird
From: 465 €
Tripcode: NLSB030
3 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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1 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 8 days
Details
Cycling Friesland
The flat Dutch province of Friesland, world-famous for its black and white Frisian cows, is marked by numerous rivers, canals and lakes. It is a land full of history, with picturesque villages and towns, impressive manors, winding waterways and scenic nature reserves which provide a home to more than 300 bird species! You'll pedal along past typical monumental Frisian farmhouses, surrounded by verdantly green grasslands full of grazing sheep, horses and cows. You'll see Leeuwarden, historical capital of the province and birthplace of Mata Hari, as well as the traditional fishing village of Harlingen and the old historical town of Franeker. All the while, enjoying beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture, with the chance of meeting up with locals who still dress daily in traditional regional costume.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in Leeuwarden
Arrival in Leeuwarden, or Ljouwert as the Frisians say in their own language. If there's time this afternoon, we recommend a visit round the historical town centre with its 575 registered monumental buildings.
Villages along the way: Leeuwarden
Day 2: From Leewarden to Sneek
First day of cycling, through the green water-country of Friesand to end up in Sneek, well known for its 'Waterpoort'. Along the way, beautiful Frisian country mansions, most of which date from the 17th century.
Challenge: 48 km (30 miles)
Villages along the way: Sneek
Day 3: From Sneek to Rijs
On toward IJlst, one of the smaller Frisian cities. Near Langweerder Vaart, you cross the canal by ferry, to then continue via Sint Nicolaasga to the village of Sloten. After passing Balk and Oudemirdum, you arrive in Rijs, your destination for the day.
Challenge: 55 km (34 mi)
Villages along the way: Langweerd, St.Nicolaasga, Sloten, Balk, Oudemirdum & Rijs
Day 4: From Rijs to Bolsward
Pedal off toward Stavoren, with its famous statue called 'The little Woman from Stavoren'. Then head on to Hindeloopen, a beautiful boating and fishing village with narrow lanes and canals and high wooden bridges. In Workum, there's the option of visiting a museum dedicated to painter Jopie Huisman. The route ends in Bolsward.
Challenge: 55 km (34 miles)
Villages along the way: Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum & Bolsward
Day 5: From Bolsward to Harlingen/Franeker
Easy route through typical Frisian landscapes to Makkum, lovely village know for its handpainted ceramics, or Delfts blue pottery. Spend the night in Harlingen or Franeker.
Challenge: 32/45 km (20/28 mi)
Villages along the way: Makkum & Harlingen or Franeker
Day 6: From Harlingen/Franeker to Dokkum
Cycle from one tiny village to the next, noting the strange places names: Sint-Annaparochie, Ferwerd, Hegebeintum, and Burdaard. At the end of the day, you reach the typical Frisian town of Dokkum.
Challenge: 64/48 km (40/30 mi)
Villages along the way: Sint-Annaparochie, Ferwerd, Hegebeintum, Burdaard & Dokkum
Day 7: From Dokkum to Leeuwarden
Last leg of the Eleven City Bike Tour. You cycle via Bartlehiem back to Leeuwarden.
Challenge: 28 km (45 mi)
Villages along the way: Bartlehiem & Leeuwarden
Day 8: Depart Leeuwarden
After breakfast your arrangement ends.
Villages along the way: Leeuwarden
Practical info
Included:
- Overnight stay in ***/**** hotels, with ensuite bathrooms
- All breakfasts
- Map, tourist information and route descriptions in English
- Service-hotline (also at weekends)
Not Included:
Train ticket Amsterdam - Leeuwarden and back
How to get there:
The best airport of arrival is Amsterdam Schiphol airport which is also served by several low cost carriers. You take the train from station Amsterdam Schiphol to Leeuwarden. Your first accommodation is close to the train station.
About the bikes:
The rental bike is a comfortable 3-speed bicycle together with a standard repair kit in case of mechanical problems.
Reviews
Start: Leeuwarden
Finish: Leeuwarden
Dates & prices
Trip availability: Daily from May 1st to October 31st
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Double room B&B: | 465 €/person |
| Single room B&B: | 675 €/person |
Other prices
Optional Halfboard. 175€
Optional Luggage transfer (6 days). 82€
Optional Bike rental (6 days). 60€