Goëngahuizen: Island Nature and Mill History

Goëngahuizen offers two tangible focal points for planning a trip: the island area of It Eilân on the edge of Nationaal Park De Alde Feanen and a history of mills with traces from different periods. For the island area, access routes and seasonal protection rules are relevant; the mills have different dates for their components, timber and former functions. This gives you concrete questions to help put the landscape and history into context for your stay.

Landscape and access

It Eilân is a 230-hectare area on the edge of Nationaal Park De Alde Feanen, consisting of the two islands It Eilân-East and It Eilân-West.

It Eilân is accessible from the water or via the footbridge near Goaiïngahuzen for almost the entire year. At the same time, seasonal restrictions apply to protect nesting birds. Check these rules before your visit: access for almost the whole year does not override the seasonal protection rules.

Mill history: traces from different periods

The Roekmole was moved to an island near Goëngahuizen in 2009. Its oldest parts are believed to date from 1798 and are made of Dutch oak. The two years refer to different milestones: 2009 marks the move, while 1798 is the estimated date of the oldest parts.

Oak timber felled around 1736 was used for parts of the lower tower of De Modderige Bol. Until 1952, the mill drained the approximately 55-hectare Adamse polder. Here, the date of the timber and the end of a specific function stand side by side: the mill drained the polder until the year stated. At 230 hectares, It Eilân is about four times the size of the approximately 55-hectare Adamse polder.

According to current knowledge, the Jansmole is considered the oldest surviving mill in Fryslân. It turns very regularly.

At the site of the Heechhiem, the oldest known mention of a mill dates from 1820. Shortly before the turn of the year 2024/25, Heechhiem was once again able to grind grain. The dates refer to different events: 1820 is the oldest known mention at the site, while 2024/25 marks the mill’s restored ability to grind grain.

Finding your way along the Dorpenroute

There is a rest stop with a toilet in Goëngahuizen along the Dorpenroute. If you include the route in your trip plans, this stop is a useful landmark along the way. It complements the landscape and historical highlights with a practical place to take a break.

The information answers different questions for planning your day: at It Eilân, you should take seasonal bird-protection rules into account; along the Dorpenroute, there is a rest stop with a toilet. One concerns when you can access the area, the other a specific stop along the way.

Discover more destinations: De Tike, De Veenhoop, Rottevalle, Oudega, Oudega Gem Smallingerlnd, Drachten, Houtigehage

For the overview of the wider area: Smallingerland.