Veenwouden: Waterways, Walking Routes and Local History

Explore Veenwouden via its paths, waterways and local history. The Streekpad Noardlike Fryske Wâlden passes through Feanwâldsterwâl; on the water, a 4.5-kilometre paddling route and the short It Bûtefjild route offer specific options. Historic buildings, local names and art at the village ice rink complete the picture.

Walking and Cycling

The Streekpad Noardlike Fryske Wâlden is a circular walking route of about 165 kilometres through the National Landscape of de Fryske Wâlden. It starts in Burgum, passes through Feanwâldsterwâl and continues towards Trynwâlden. A cycle path connects De Wâl with Trynwâlden and takes cyclists through Feanwâldsterwâl. You can choose between an extensive circular walking route and a cycle connection that passes through the village.

Waterways and Wetland Landscape

A 4.5-kilometre paddling route runs through the Sippen-Fennen; the area is surrounded by the Ottema-Wiersma Reserve and the Houtwielen. The short It Bûtefjild route starts at Hotel Eetcafé 't Dûke Lûk in Feanwâldsterwâl and can be travelled by canoe, SUP or small boat. The hotel is the fifth stop on the “Otterspotters” water experience route and is located at De Wâl 13, 9269RA Feanwâldsterwâl. Whether guests can set off from the hotel’s landing stage in an electric boat, canoe or SUP and reach the green surroundings of the Friese Wouden within two minutes depends on availability; check in advance. Availability may change; check in advance.

In the wider Noard-Fryslân area, Groote Wielen, Sippenfennen, Houtwiel, Bûtefjild and Zwagermieden are connected as a continuous wetland landscape with reed beds and marshes. Cycling, walking and canoeing are possible in this landscape. Electric boats and canoes are also available for hire in Feanwâldsterwâl.

The Sûnte organic pick-your-own garden is nearby and serves as a rest stop along a route. Check access before your visit.

Local History and Architectural Styles

Feanwâldsterwâl grew out of Veenwouden as a peat colony; the settlement may have been founded by Mennonites from Giethoorn. On the Dantumadiel side, the Woudhuisjes, locally known as “spultsjes”, stand in a relatively continuous row. The historical accounts of the village extend beyond its buildings: until 1865, a small meeting house stood on De Wâl. A new meeting house was then built a little farther away, on Zuiderweg between Feanwâldsterwâl and Veenwouden.

A notable building is the former School met den Bijbel at De Zwette 20. Built in 1909, it is a four-classroom central-corridor school made of calcium silicate brick. Together with the Woudhuisjes, it illustrates different aspects of local architectural history, from school architecture to the comparatively continuous row of houses.

Art at the Village Ice Rink

The Iisbaankeunstrûte Noord Fryslân passes the village ice rink in Feanwâldsterwâl, where art, photography and poetry come together. The artwork “Feanwâldsterwâl” is a photograph by Baukje Venema: it depicts the village ice rink and is part of a series of artworks at the ice rinks along the Iisbaankeunstrûte. Iisklub Eendracht is active and organises, among other things, a torchlight procession.

Discover more destinations: Broeksterwald, De Falom, Sibrandahûs, Rinsumageast

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