Frisian Lakes route by car
A loop past the lakes of southwest Friesland, from Sneek via Grou and Langweer to Sloten and Woudsend. For convertible, touring car, motorbike and camper.
This route is long, so Google Maps splits it into parts (up to nine points per link). Part 1 runs from your location to Woudsend; the further parts under the exports pick up exactly where the previous one stopped. The GPX download holds the whole route in one file.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Sneekermeer by Dominicus Johannes Bergsma (CC BY-SA 4.0, two photos), Woudsend by Udo Ockema (CC BY 3.0).
From lake to lake, the water always in view
The Frisian Lakes route is the finest way to discover the lake district of southwest Friesland by car: a loop of about 107 kilometres over quiet back roads from one lake to the next. The Sneekermeer, Slotermeer, Heegermeer, the Langwarder Wielen and the Pikmeer lie linked like a chain, with watersports villages, old harbours and windmills in between. No motorway, just the still water where sailing belongs.
You drive round in about 2 hours and 15 minutes, so with terraces, a harbour stroll and perhaps a little ferry it is a lovely day. Where the Elfstedentocht links the eleven cities, this route goes around the water: masts rise above the reeds and the next lake is always around the corner.
The route on the map
A schematic overview by Touren.app, not a navigation map. The exact route opens under “Drive this route” or in Google Maps. Map orientation: north is up.
Soon: your time and starting point
The places along the route
1. Sneek
Sneek sits on the Sneekermeer and is the beating heart of Frisian watersports. From here the canals and lakes fan out in every direction; you set off among the sailing boats and marinas.
Practical: park around the centre; waterside terraces as a starting point.
2. Joure
Joure (De Jouwer) is a lively market town, known as the birthplace of Douwe Egberts coffee and tea. The long Midstraat with its shops and the Jouster toer make a fine first stop.
Practical: ample parking; drink coffee where the coffee comes from.
3. Terherne
Terherne is a true watersports village on the Sneekermeer, famous as the home of De Kameleon, the little boat from the Dutch children's books. Boats lie packed together along the harbour.
Practical: small and low-traffic; fun for families with the Kameleon village.
4. Grou
Grou (Grouw) lies on the Pikmeer and is the largest watersports town in Friesland, with a cosy old centre around the St Piter church. Here they celebrate their own Santa, Sint Piter.
Practical: park on the edge; plenty of waterside terraces.
5. Akkrum
Akkrum lies on the river Boarn, between the lakes and the meadows. The quiet village has a striking almshouse, the Coopersburg, built by a villager who had emigrated to America.
Practical: a short stop; park in the village.
6. Langweer
Langweer (Langwar) is one of the loveliest watersports villages, with a shady avenue of lime trees, an old harbour and the church tower rising above the water.
Practical: park on the edge; harbour terrace overlooking the boats.
7. Sloten
Sloten (Sleat) is a completely preserved little fortified town on the Slotermeer, with a canal down the middle and a corn mill on the rampart. Tiny, and one of the highlights of the loop.
Practical: park outside the ramparts; low-traffic and best on foot.
8. Balk
Balk lies on the little river Luts, on the edge of the wooded Gaasterland. The stately houses on either side of the water make its protected village scene one of the finest in the region.
Practical: park in the centre; terrace on the Luts.
9. Woudsend
Woudsend (Wâldsein) lies on the narrow strip between the Slotermeer and the Heegermeer, with two windmills, t Lam and De Jager, above the roofs. A real sailing village where the water is everywhere.
Practical: park on the edge; the centre and harbour are compact.
Practical: for convertible, motorbike and camper
From which town: the route starts in Sneek, but you join wherever you like. Enter your address or holiday home in the planner, choose your time, and Touren.app rebuilds the same lake loop from Heerenveen, Lemmer or Joure.
For which vehicle: the lake district is flat and the roads are quiet, so this is a relaxed scenic drive with the water always in view. With a camper, mind the narrow centres of Sloten and Woudsend and park on the edge.
Water and sailing: this is watersports country par excellence. In summer it is busy on and around the water, with open bridges and full harbours; that is part of it. To get on the water yourself, hire a boat in Grou, Sneek or Langweer.
Difference from the eleven cities: if you have come for the famous towns, the Elfstedentocht by car is your route; these lakes go around the water and the sailing villages, with a little overlap such as Sneek and Sloten.
Best season: May to September is finest, with the longest days and the most life on the water. For quiet, drive in spring or early morning, when the lakes lie mirror-still.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the Frisian Lakes route by car?
107 km, about 2 hours and 15 minutes of pure driving, measured via Google Maps with motorways avoided. With terraces and a harbour stroll it is a lovely day.
Which lakes does the route pass?
Among others the Sneekermeer, Slotermeer, Heegermeer, the Langwarder Wielen and the Pikmeer, with watersports villages such as Grou, Langweer, Terherne and Woudsend in between.
What is the difference from the Elfstedentocht by car?
The Elfstedentocht links the eleven Frisian cities; the Lakes route goes around the water and the sailing villages of southwest Friesland. Sneek and Sloten lie on both.
Is the route suitable for convertible, motorbike and camper?
Yes. The area is flat and the roads are quiet. With a camper, mind the narrow centres and park on the edge.
Are the GPX and road book really free?
Yes, free with a Touren.app credit on them. You never pay us for exports; those who want to drive ad-free and offline choose Plus.
Keep exploring
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