This route is suited for beginner and all boats.
Terherne, Sneek, IJlst, Heeg, Galamadammen, Warns, Stavoren, Woudsend, Sloten, Uitwellingerga, Grou, Akkrum, Terherne.
Did we just cross a road? The lakes area in the south western region of Friesland has no less than five aqueducts.They allow you to sail around this part of the province unhindered, and offer the ideal solution for bottlenecks where water and road traffic meet.
The Galamadammen aqueduct, commissioned at the end of 2007, ensures the boat traffic in the Johan Friso canal and the road traffic on the provincial N359 road (between Bolswaard and Balk) no longer hinder each other.
The Ee aqueduct was opened in 2007 and solved the cramped and unsafe situations for water sporters at the bridge in the centre of Woudsend.
Since 2007, the Jeltesloot aqueduct near Hommerts-Jutrijp has replaced the Jeltesloot bridge, the busiest bridge in Friesland.
The Houkesloot aqueduct has been part of the Sneek Ring East since 2003. It has reduced traffic in the town centre and is an improvement for recreational boats.
The Geeuw aqueduct has been an important part of the busy A7 trunk road at Sneek since 2008. It makes the town more accessible and gives water sporters an alternative route for the Prinses Margrietkanaal.
The feeling of freedom
Sailing through the south western part of the Frisian lakes has now become even more attractive. The construction of five aqueducts has given water sporters room to move. You now sail on instead of waiting for bridges. On entering the IJsselmeer lake at Stavoren Fryslân, you’re in an open landscape, no longer interrupted by the busy bridge at Galamadammen. The aqueduct fits effortlessly into the countryside, and sand martins watch us from their nests just beside it. With the Koudemur woods on the one side and De Morra on the other side of the lake, there is a wide variety of flora and fauna. The aqueduct therefore has special passageways for both water and land mammals.
No delay
Further on towards Sneek, traffic moves from De Fluessen in cosy Woudsend much quicker than before. The bridge is still there, but the construction of a ring road with the Ie aqueduct means that this bridge need be less frequently operated for shipping purposes. It’s always busy at the pavement cafes near the bridge however. In the village itself, the old Het Lam corn mill still works, why not pay them a visit to pick up some traditional products? From De Fluessen, the route via Heeg is also an option. Follow the sound of happy voices from the quayside cafés. After Heeg, the vastness becomes even more apparent thanks to the Jeltesloot aqueduct at Hommerts. From its slopes, walkers enjoy the landscape and views of the new swimming lake and aqueduct.
On to Sneek
On we go to Sneek, through the green countryside. Two aqueducts welcome water sporters to the south east and south west of this bustling city. Coming from the Sneekermeer lake, which also features the hyper modern starting island, boats sail via the cheerfully coloured Houkesloot aqueduct over the traffic into town. From IJlst, the impressive yet airy Geeuw aqueduct offers wonderful views of Sneek. People wander over the floating jetty along the waterfront and the newly planted reed banks. While sailing into Sneek, you’d almost forget it’s such a busy junction of roads, rail and water. There’s plenty to do in town. The centre oozes a cosy atmosphere, with lots to do: shops, pavement cafes, the Friesian Shipping museum, the Model Railway museum or the old Weduwe Joustra distillery. What a wonderful view of the quaysides from the water. Let’s moor here!
Downloads: Map Aqueductsroute
Map in: Google Maps
