The Best Cycling Routes in Friesland

Located in the north of the country, Friesland (Fryslân in the local language) is one of the most distinctive provinces in the Netherlands. With its own cultural and linguistic identity, it offers a landscape shaped by water: canals, lakes and rivers stretching between vast, open meadows.

This is the land of the classic black-and-white dairy cows we all recognise from childhood books, more than 300 migratory bird species, and deeply rooted traditions.

Exploring Friesland by bike, at your own pace, is one of the best ways to discover both its history and — above all — its nature. Between towns, canals guide you through flat landscapes ideal for any type of bicycle, passing through villages, hamlets and nature reserves. Download the GPX track or use the Dutch knooppunten (node) system explained at the end of this article.

Choose your travel dates, rent a bike, and discover Friesland through the routes we suggest below.

And read to the end — we also recommend must-see spots such as the Wadden Islands.

 
Leeuwarden – Stiens – Leeuwarden (Circular Route)

1 day
24 km
Start/finish: Leeuwarden

This circular route starts in Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland, and showcases the province’s classic scenery: canals, windmills and small villages. Perfect for a relaxed morning ride.

Begin at the station square with the striking “Love” sculpture by Jaume Plensa — two seven-metre-high white heads. Cycle north towards Stiens, letting the canals guide you out of the city. Along the way, you’ll spot stinzen: medieval stone buildings that once symbolised wealth and power at a time when most houses were made of wood.

In Stiens, cross the centre and head west through fertile, open fields. If you’re lucky, you may see a Friesian horse — strong, elegant and jet black. Continue until you reach the Dokkumer Trekvaart canal and follow it back to Leeuwarden to complete the loop.

This short route is family-friendly, with plenty of opportunities to stop and rest.

Knooppunten (node) sequence:
62 - 17 - 63 - 64 - 65 - 66 - 23 - 10 - 87 - 94 - 03 - 96 - 67 - 94 - 08 - 12 - 36 - 04 - 22 - 24 - 85 - 64 - 91 - 26 - 62

Or download the GPX file here

 
Circular Route from Harlingen: Villages & Birdwatching

1 day
40 km or 61 km
Start/finish: Harlingen

If you’re travelling through Friesland, spending a night in Harlingen is highly recommended. This historic port city is known for its maritime character, canals and traditional boats. It lies on the shores of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and ferries depart from here to the Wadden Islands. Its historic centre, with over 500 listed buildings, feels like an open-air museum.

If you enjoy nature and birdwatching, this route is for you.

From the southern harbour area, head south along the water. Here you’ll see just how unique the Wadden Sea is — especially at low tide, when vast sandbanks emerge. This constantly shifting wetland is a paradise for birdlife, and several observation huts are located along the route.

At the end of this stretch, you’ll reach the start of the Afsluitdijk — the great dam that crosses this inland sea to North Holland. Cycle a short way onto it to experience what it feels like to ride “in the middle of the sea”.

From here, return inland through villages, meadows and small wooded areas, where more birdlife can be spotted. Before crossing the railway line, you can head straight back to Harlingen or add extra kilometres north of the city and re-enter via the harbour.

39 km node sequence:
51 - 85 - 59 - 31 - 45 - 74 - 52 - 55 - 24 - 04 - 75 - 99 - 27 - 30 - 32 - 96 - 93 - 19 - 51

Extension to 60 km (after 93):
96 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 54 - 51

Or download the GPX file here

 
The Frisian Lakes Route

2–3 days
99 km
Start/finish: Sneek

This multi-day ride explores the great lakes of southwest Friesland, starting in Sneek, known for its medieval Waterpoort gate. The route passes through Sloten — one of the smallest fortified towns in the Netherlands — and continues to Hindeloopen on the Wadden Sea, famous for its wooden houses and traditional craftsmanship.

On the final day, the return to Sneek offers wide-open landscapes ideal for birdwatching.

What makes this route particularly interesting is the landscape itself — shaped equally by nature and human ingenuity. Large areas of polder land were reclaimed by draining water to create pasture, artificial lakes and a network of canals that regulate water across much of the province.

Stages (knooppunten system):

Sneek – Sloten (28 km)
05 - 50 - 59 - 93 - 14 - 15 - 53 - 42 - 43 - 44

Sloten – Stavoren (30 km)
44 - 32 - 68 - 29 - 85 - 28 - 34 - 35 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 14 - 13 - 07 - 08 - 02 - 03 - 04 - 64

Stavoren – Sneek (41 km)
64 - 98 - 97 - 96 - 95 - 23 - 34 - 35 - 36 - 37 - 39 - 40 - 53 - 05

Downal the track in kml here

 
The Eleven Cities Route (Elfstedentocht)

227 km / 6–7 days

This route follows the famous Elfstedentocht, the legendary long-distance ice-skating race held in winter when the canals freeze. Covering nearly 200 km on ice, it’s so iconic that in spring and summer many Dutch cyclists ride the same route by bike.

As a circular route, you can start anywhere, but traditionally it follows this order:

Leeuwarden – Sneek – IJlst – Sloten – Stavoren – Hindeloopen – Workum – Bolsward – Harlingen – Franeker – Dokkum.

Daily stages are usually between 40 and 60 km, but distances can easily be adjusted depending on where you stay overnight.

If you have several days to explore the Netherlands, this route is a fantastic choice. It takes you beyond the usual tourist circuits and reveals a province with a truly unique character.

Download the official cycling GPX track (Fiets Elfstedentocht) or contact us for help organising your Eleven Cities tour — so all you have to do is pedal.

 
Don’t Miss in Friesland

The Wadden Islands

The Wadden Islands, north of the mainland, are of enormous ecological importance and have been designated a biosphere reserve. They are also a national icon, and many Dutch locals visit at least once a year.

One of their greatest attractions is the possibility of wadlopen — walking across exposed sandbanks at low tide to reach certain islands.

Add a night in Harlingen and take your bike on the ferry to Vlieland or Terschelling. Alternatively, walk to Schiermonnikoog (the car-free island) from Lauwersoog at low tide.

Important: wear waterproof boots — you’ll be walking on wet sand — and bring binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching.

Ferries from Harlingen to Terschelling and Vlieland are operated by Rederij Doeksen, with around four crossings per day. Prices are approximately €30 per person, with discounts for children under 12.

Cycle Across the Afsluitdijk

The Afsluitdijk (“closure dam”) is one of the Netherlands’ great hydraulic engineering projects. Stretching 32 km, it separates the Wadden Sea from the IJsselmeer, protecting the country from flooding and creating reclaimed land (polders). Construction began in 1886 and was completed in 1932, with later improvements.

Beyond its historical and territorial importance, cycling across it is an unforgettable experience — it truly feels like riding through the middle of the sea.

Highly recommended.

 

What Are Knooppunten?

The Dutch knooppunten system is a nationwide cycling network organised by numbered junctions (nodes). Instead of following a single signposted route, you choose the numbers you want to pass through and simply follow the signs to the next node.

It’s intuitive, flexible and easy to use — allowing you to design your own route and adapt it as you go.