Are you looking for a boating route through Friesland? Sail the northern part of the Elfstedentocht. You’ll navigate through Dokkum, Leeuwarden, Franeker, and the Bartlehiem bridge. Which of our classic boats will you take on this adventure?
Day 1 – Dokkum – 12km – 2.5 hours
This route starts, like all other routes, from Jachthaven Lunegat. From there, you’ll navigate via the Dokkumer Diep and the lock towards Dokkum. Dokkum is the first of the 11 cities you’ll encounter. You can moor along the ramparts or in the heart of the city. From there, you can take a stroll around the city and along the ramparts.
Nice restaurants in Dokkum include:
Hotel Café Restaurant de Posthoorn
Pizzeria d’Angelo
De Waegh
Day 2 – Leeuwarden – 23km – 3 hours
From Dokkum, follow the Dokkumer Ee towards Leeuwarden. You’ll pass through the villages of Burdaard, Bartlehiem, Wyns, and Lekkum. In Leeuwarden, keep to the right. You’ll pass by the Prinsentuin, Leeuwarden’s city park, where you can moor and easily explore the city. Leeuwarden is the capital of Friesland and the endpoint of the Frisian ice skating Elfstedentocht. You can climb the Oldehove tower, visit the Fries Museum, or shop in Leeuwarden’s city center.
Great stops and restaurants:
- It Posthûs in Burdaard
- Grutte Pier Brouwerij in Bartlehiem
- Humpreys Leeuwarden
- Tao Leeuwarden
- Stek Leeuwarden
Which boat will you choose to go on an adventure with?
Day 3 – Franeker – 19km – 2.5 hours
On day three, you will sail to Franeker. From Leeuwarden, follow the Harlingervaart and the Verbindingskanaal to the Van Harinxmakanaal.
Note! Large ships also sail here, these ships always have priority.
Continue on the Van Harinxmakanaal until you reach Franeker, where you can sail towards the town and moor at the bulwarks. Franeker was formerly a university town and has a planetarium.
Tip: moor at the harbor in Franeker. You are allowed to set up a tent on the grass field in the harbor. There are also bicycles available for use to cycle to the city center.
Nice stops and restaurants:
The planetarium in Franeker Van der Kloet Bakery
Tips for sailing the northern part of the Eleven Cities Tour:
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Bring Extra Small Change: Carry extra small change for bridges, water, and showers. Usually, you need to insert 50 cents into the machines.
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Facilities in Marinas: Most marinas provide toilets and showers. If you plan to use them, it’s advisable to moor overnight at a marina.
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Mooring Fees: Note that mooring fees at marinas are not included in this route planning.
Day 4 – Oude Leije – 23km – 3.5 hours
From here, you’ll navigate a part of the Northern Clay Route. You’ll encounter many bridges, but with these boats, you can pass under them by lowering the mast and flagpole! (Bridges are 2.50 meters high)
You’ll also come across two self-service locks, which are easy to operate!
When leaving Franeker, go left before the large bridge into the narrow waterway towards Berlikum; you can’t miss it from there. In Berlikum, there’s a bakery, butcher, and supermarket, all just a 5-minute walk away. There are no restaurants, but you can dock at the skating club, where there’s also a restroom.
We stayed overnight at the small harbor in Oude Leije, surrounded by nature.
The harbor master brings a key for the very clean shower room next to a small bar where you can also enjoy a hamburger or chicken.
Day 5 – Dokkum – 22km – 3 hours
You pass under the bridge of Bartlehiem and then turn left towards Dokkum via Burdaard. In Burdaard, between the 2 bridges, there is a wonderful restaurant (It Posthus) where you can have a good lunch.
In Dokkum, you can stay overnight under the windmill.
Day 6 – Lauwersmeer – 22km – 2.5 hours
On day six, you sail from Dokkum to the Lauwersmeer.
Tip: Pay close attention to sailing in the navigation channel; if you stray outside, you may run aground. However, you can usually get free quickly.
A tip from our guests: We had a truly delicious meal at the restaurant “Het Raadsel van de Wadden.”
Day 7 – Homeport – 10km – 1.5 hours
On day seven, you return to Jachthaven Lunegat.
