Surroundings - Hetblijeschaap.com

What to do?

B&B Het Blije Schaap is the perfect base for discovering Friesland. Visit picturesque villages and historic towns, or enjoy a day on the water.

In the surrounding area, you will find numerous attractions, such as the Frisian lakes, De Alde Feanen National Park, and the famous Eleven Cities. There are beautiful hiking and cycling routes in the area.

Those seeking peace and quiet and nature lovers can also indulge themselves. The area behind the dike, the Noorderleeg, is part of the Dutch Wadden area and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On top of the dike, you can look out over the mudflats and see Ameland. At night, you can lie on your back here and admire endless stars and the Milky Way.

The tourist information point is located 5 km away in the highest terp village, Hegebeintum (Pypkedyk 4). Terp Hegebeintum is definitely worth a visit.

Visit the Wadden Islands

The ferry to Ameland departs 5 km away in Holwerd.
The boat to Schiermonnikoog departs from Lauwersoog, a 25-minute drive away.
Vlieland and Terschelling are accessible from Harlingen, 35 km away.

Nearby towns

Nearby towns include Dokkum (15 km), Leeuwarden (15 km), Harlingen (35 km) and Franeker (30 km). There are plenty of shops and eateries here, as well as beautiful museums such as the Planetarium, the Princessehof or the Natuurmuseum.

Restaurants in the area

If you want to go out for dinner, there are several good restaurants in Dokkum.
But you can also go to Holwerd for a pleasant dinner.

Below are a few suggestions:

Land en Zeezicht
Grândijk 2
9151 AE Holwerd
Tel: 0519-561406
Open daily
Menu

Eetcafé Het Graauwe Paard
Monnikebildtdijk 1
9078 VB Oude Bildtzijl
Tel: 0518-421343
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Menu

KB Food&Drinks
Keppelstraat 4
9101 MV Dokkum
Tel: 0519-221199
Closed on Sundays
Menu

De Waard van Napels
Hoogstraat 27
9101 LH Dokkum
Tel: 0519-295097
Open Wednesday to Sunday
Menu

Grand Café De Waegh
Grote Breedstraat 1
9101 KH Dokkum
Tel: 0519-220452
Open daily
Menu

Hip Asian Food and More
Hellingpad 8
9101 BB Dokkum
Tel: 0519-235959
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Menu

Stadscafé Artisante
Diepswal 1
9101 LA Dokkum
Tel: 0519-740005
Open daily
Menu

In Ferwert there is a butcher, a supermarket and an eatery with snack bar.

Cycling in the area

If you like cycling, B&B Het Blije Schaap is the perfect base for exploring the area by bike.
We have 2 electric bicycles for rent, should you need them. You can also rent bicycles at Jellema Tweewielers in Ferwert (Hoofdstraat 23), which can be reached on 0518-411286 or info@siepjellema.nl.

The Salty Path
The Salty Path is a beautiful route totaling about 312 km and runs along the Wadden Coast of North Holland, Friesland, and Groningen. The route takes you past religious heritage, untouched nature, and authentic villages.
The Ziltepad is not only a hiking and cycling route, but also a journey through the time and culture of this unique part of the Netherlands.

The path is divided into fifteen stages between 15 and 20 kilometers.
Each stage can be cycled/walked separately and can be completed from left to right and vice versa. Each resting place also has a unique circular walk.
Whether you are on foot or by bicycle, Het Ziltepad offers a unique opportunity to experience the rugged edge of the North in a different way.

Food Route Living with the Sea
This cycling route (47 km) lets you experience the landscape and food in and around Dokkum. From farm shops to catering establishments, interspersed with the most beautiful cultural and scenic spots.
Starting point: Dokkum

Along Middelzee and Ee
A water-inspired cycling route (33 km) along the former Middelzee and Ee. In addition to water, you can also enjoy the terp landscape with pearls of villages and their cultural treasures.
Starting point: Leeuwarden

Water Experience Route: Pure architecture – tour of the city center
A bike ride (7 km) through time past striking buildings and works of art in the historic Leeuwarden city center and the Potmarge area.
Starting point: Leeuwarden

From Hofstad to Wad
This cycling route (69 km) takes you past old houses of the Nassaus, country houses and stinzen and tells the story of prosperous Friesland in the past.
Starting point: Leeuwarden

Piece of Eleven Cities
This varied cycling route (37 km) takes you along historic waterways, characteristic villages and well-known places from the iconic Eleven Cities Tour.
Starting point: Aldtsjerk

Round Lauwersmeer Oostmahorn
This cycling route (44 km) takes you through the unique landscape of Lauwersmeer National Park, past Lauwersoog and the Esonstad recreation park near Oostmahorn.
Starting point: Oostmahorn

Round Fryske Wâlden and the Burgumer Mar
This cycling route (46 km) takes you through the Frisian Woods and around the Burgumermeer, past old villages and beautiful nature.
Starting point: Feanwâlden

Village route: De Alde Feanen National Park
In this route (45 km) you combine nature and culture around the unique marsh area of De Alde Feanen National Park.
Starting point: Eernewoude

The Wadden Tour
This tour (60 km) leads past terp villages such as Ee, Holwerd, Metslawier and Paesens-Moddergat on the Wadden coast. The route can be followed by bicycle or car.
Starting point: Holwerd

Literature route Ljouwerteradiel South
This literature route (16 km) takes you past Frisian-language poems and novel fragments
through villages in the municipality of Leeuwarderadeel.
Starting point: Stiens

Literature route Ljouwerteradiel North
This literature route (16 km) runs through the northern villages of Leeuwarderadeel
and contains Frisian-language poetry and prose.
Starting point: Stiens

Hiking in the area

The Burmania Path
The official Burmania Path is a route of approximately 30 km and runs from the Vrijthof in Ferwert, towards Hegebeintum, along the highest terp in the Netherlands, over the Wadden Sea dike through the salt marsh area back to Ferwert.
Starting point: Ferwert

The Historical Paths walk
This route of almost 11 km runs over part of the Burmania Path.
The starting and ending point is the former Foswert monastery site near Ferwert.
Some parts run over agricultural land; dogs are not allowed here.
Starting point: Ferwert

Claercamppad Monastery – circular walk 1: Holwerd–Blije
A walking path of 21 km through the summer polder and along the edge of the salt marshes
(note: closed during the breeding season). Outside the dikes, herds of horses and cattle graze in the summer. You can also encounter approximately 240 bird species and many salt-loving plants here. Noard-Fryslân Bûtendyks is the largest contiguous salt marsh area in Europe.
Starting point: Holwerd

The Foodwalk Living with the Sea
This walking route of 14 km runs along the Wadden coast and introduces walkers to the nature and culture of the Wadden. Along the way you will learn more about local sea vegetables and shellfish, the ecology of the Wadden and the fishing history of villages such as Wierum, Moddergat and Paesens.
Starting point: Wierum

Rounds around the churches
This route of 10 km takes you past centuries-old churches and through a landscape
that tells the story of the fight against the water and human perseverance.
Starting point: Mitselwier

Museums and Nature
A varied route of 11 km through the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden National Landscape. You walk partly on old paths through nature and forest area,
with a beautiful viewpoint along the way. Because part of the route runs through meadow, dogs are not allowed.
Starting point: Burgum

Noarderleech
This walking route of 6 km in Noard-Fryslân Bûtendyks guarantees
at least an hour of relaxation. You will hear nothing but bird sounds, the bleating of sheep, the hooves of horses and your own footsteps.
Starting point: Hallum

Eleven Cities Path – Stage 1
During this first stage of 22 km you leave the Frisian capital Leeuwarden
and discover the charm of the surrounding rural area. Dogs are not allowed everywhere on this route.
Starting point: Leeuwarden

Eleven Cities Path – Stage 12
From the outer dike Hallumerhoek you walk towards Ferwert. Just after Ferwert lies the terp of Hegebeintum, the highest in Friesland. After a tour around the church of Lichtaard, the Eleven Cities Path continues along the banks of the Dokkumer Ee, eventually ending in Dokkum, a place of pilgrimage in the north (21 km).
Starting point: Hallummerhoek

Eleven Cities Path – Stage 13
You start on the edge of Dokkum and walk through the old city center, over the bulwarks and past various markets. Via the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden, with characteristic alder hedges, this route of 17 km ends just south of the village of Wouterswoude.
Starting point: Dokkum

For the real enthusiast there is also the complete route of the Elfstedenpad (283 km) or the Reisgids Friese Elfsteden.

Dutch Coastal Path 3 – Stage 5
This stage is 18 km long, running from Ferwert to Ternaard, and passes right by our B&B. Coastline, dunes, birds, wildlife and farmland. Space — and even more space — with nothing but meadows and the tiniest villages you can imagine, perched on ancient mounds in the landscape. In Hegebeintum you’ll find the highest mound (terp) in Friesland.

Walking around Oostmahorn
A short walk of 4.4 km with varied landscapes and many special residents. In less than fifty years, nature has transformed the Lauwersmeer area
into a species-rich National Park, known for its tranquility and great birdlife.
Starting point: Oostmahorn

Canadian Trail – Stage 7: Dokkum–Lauwersoog
Stage 7 of the Canadian Trail (29 km) is an impressive hiking route from Dokkum to Lauwersoog and is part of the Liberation Route Europe. This stage tells the story of the liberation of Northeast Friesland in April 1945.
Starting point: Dokkum

Historical walk Dokkum–Holwerd
This historical walking route of 15 km takes you through the Frisian terp landscape that dates from before our era. You will discover old farms, characteristic villages and impressive terps that offered protection against high water in the early Middle Ages.
Starting point: Dokkum

Bird watching

Opposite our house, behind the dike, are the salt marshes: a hidden gem where you can experience the pure beauty of the Wadden area.

The salt marshes are a dynamic area, constantly shaped by the ebb and flow of the Wadden Sea. This creates a unique ecosystem with special flora and fauna and offers unprecedented tranquility. At high tide, the landscape changes and you can really experience the rhythm of nature.
It is a true paradise for nature lovers, hikers and bird watchers.

During a walk across the salt marshes you will come across various plants that have adapted to the salty environment, such as sea aster and sea lavender, which turn a beautiful purple in the summer. In addition, the area is a favorite spot for migratory birds, who find rest and food here during their long journeys. The area is located on the western bird migration route along the coastline. Enormous numbers of birds find their way here every year. Tens of thousands of barnacle geese overwinter in this area and fly north again at the end of May.

Done with bird watching? As icing on the cake, you can enjoy the most spectacular sunsets from the dike!

Bird watching hut De Wydemar (Stiens)
In the spring, the Wydemar is a breeding ground for meadow birds, including the black-tailed godwit. From the bird watching hut you have a beautiful view of the breeding island, where dozens of birds can nest safely in a colony. These include black-headed gull, avocet, shelduck and other waders.

The area is also popular with waders and waterfowl that can safely spend the night here during the spring and autumn migration. The hundreds of ruffs and spotted redshanks in the spring are special. In the grasslands and around the pond you can see pintail, shoveler, mallard, tufted duck, teal, wigeon, black-tailed godwit, redshank, oystercatcher, lapwing, various types of geese and gulls.

Route: From Stiens, follow the Truerderdijk / Wurge Dyk towards the east.
After 3 km there is a dead-end road to the left that leads to the water
where the bird watching hut is located.

Bird watching hut Kees Weverswadpost (Holwerd)
The summer dike has been lowered here so that the salt marsh can flood again at high tide.
In addition, a bird pond with an island has been created for waders such as oystercatcher and avocet.

The hut is located in the salt marsh, at the transition from the low salt marsh to the sea. At high tide, the Wadden Sea comes up to the round dike where the bird watching hut is half buried. It is an excellent base for hiking and bird watching. The salt marsh is accessible to the public for a large part of the year.

Route: Parking is available on the left on the Grândyk.
Bicycles can be placed at the first gate next to the bicycle path. You walk through the gate over the old (excavated) summer dike until you see the bird watching hut on the left. The hut is also accessible via the dike north of Holwerd.

Viewpoint Noard-Fryslân Bûtendyks (Hallum)
You can look out over the area from an old bunker. In winter, this is an excellent place to spot geese and peregrine falcons. The area is accessible all year round.

Route: Parking is available north of Oudebildtzijl on the Zeedijk. From here you can take a walk of approximately 3 km through the outer dike area. Halfway you will find the bunker.

Tip: For almost all walks: don’t forget your boots when you go exploring the area!

Mudflat hiking

Mudflat hiking is a unique experience in perhaps the most unspoiled nature reserve in the Netherlands. It is not without reason that the Wadden Sea was declared a World Heritage Site in 2009 and the most beautiful nature reserve in the Netherlands in 2018.

Mudflat hiking is also a sporting activity. Walking through mud flats is very different from walking on a solid surface and requires good physical condition, especially on longer trips.

Mudflat hiking requires some preparation, also in terms of clothing. More information about this can be found on the websites below.

Wadloopcentrum Fryslân
Offers various mudflat hiking tours. The tours vary in difficulty, duration, and departure point. The minimum age is 10 years.

Wadlopen Holwerd
Organizes educational mudflat hiking tours and excursions. Also suitable for children from 6 years.

Visit a museum

De Princessehof
There is plenty to experience for young and old in the Princessehof in Leeuwarden. Stroll through the exhibitions with special family routes or participate in fun activities for the whole family. The Princessehof is always free for children up to 17 years old. With great workshops and interesting exhibitions, this is a museum you can visit several times a year.