Westhem: Village Character, Paths and Water Landscape

When looking for a hotel for a trip to Westhem, it is worth first considering what you would like to focus on during your stay. The village center is designated as a valuable municipal village landscape; walking paths, the water landscape and a story route offer different themes to explore. You can focus on the village landscape and churches, consider a circular walking route or the path to Abbega, or look into boat trips. The details vary depending on the type of route, destination and water activities, and can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.

Village Landscape and Paths

Westhem’s village center is designated as a valuable municipal village landscape. The Kuiertocht Westhem is a 4.6-kilometer circular walking route. Opposite the Bartholomeüskerk Westhem, a church path runs through the meadows to the church in the neighboring village of Abbega. This gives you two distinct walking options: a circular route with a stated length and a path to a church in Abbega. The Kuiertocht’s 4.6-kilometer length gives it a fixed scope; on the church path, the route through the meadows and its destination in Abbega help you find your way.

At De Kat, another part of Westhem, there is said to have been a drainage sluice beside the Hemdijk on the Sylroede. Together with the regional history of the Hemdijken, this trace adds a historical perspective on water and land to the village and church paths.

Hemdijken and the Water Landscape

In the broader Frisian landscape, Hemdijken are classified as inland dikes. They were built in the 12th century to protect important agricultural areas in Lage Midden in Friesland from impounded water. Differences in elevation often make Hemdijken easy to recognize even today. This makes it possible to read the landscape both by its visible form and its former function: the differences in elevation help identify the dikes, while their protective purpose explains their connection to the agricultural areas. This regional perspective adds a history of the relationship between water, land and agriculture to the view of Westhem.

The Blauhuister Poelen, called Blauhúster Puollen in Frisian, comprise the three inland lakes It Fliet, Reidmar and Sipkemar, as well as the former Boezemland of the Tsjesskar. The Poelen therefore include several lakes and former Boezemland. Trips on the Blauhuister Poelen are possible by electric boat or sloop. From Westhem, you can also travel the Reidmarroute by electric boat. When choosing, you can compare the options by boat type and route: two types of boat are available on the Poelen, while the Reidmarroute can be travelled by electric boat from Westhem. The availability of specific trips may vary; check before making your plans.

Story Route and Church Visit

Westhem is part of the Verhalenroute Ruimte van Waterland van Friesland. The route offers a poem about Westhem and its medieval church; its presentation may change over time. The poem focuses on Westhem, while the church path runs through the meadows to the church in the neighboring village of Abbega. These cultural connections are distinct: the story route features Westhem and its church, while the path leads to a church destination in Abbega.

As part of “Tsjerkepaad,” the Bartholomeüskerk Westhem was open to visitors on Saturday afternoons during the summer months. If a visit is part of your plans, please check the current year’s schedule.

Discover more destinations: Woudsend, Gaast, Parrega, Heeg, Stavoren, Arum, Kimswerd, Pingjum

For the broader travel overview: Súdwest Fryslân.