Discover Lauwersoog and find hotels

Woodland and seasonal blooms, cycling and walking routes, the harbour and trips on the Wadden Sea: Lauwersoog brings together a range of interests. If you are looking for a hotel in Lauwersoog, the planned focus of your trip can help guide your choice. The options differ depending on whether you want to explore a route on foot or by bike, learn more about fishing at the harbour, or head out by boat.

Nature trails, woodland and orchids

The Lauwersoogbos is part of the Lauwersmeer nature reserve. Since 2016, Lauwersmeer National Park has been recognised as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). This brings out different aspects of the natural setting: the woodland landscape and its Dark Sky designation. Part of the “Orchideeënpad” walking trail runs through the woodland, while another section passes open meadows. From June to August in particular, you may spot various flowering orchids there. If you are interested in blooms, this seasonal detail is a useful guide; the trail also takes you through areas with different landscape character.

Choose routes by distance and interest

The technically demanding MTB route offers a different way to explore the woodlands of Lauwersoog by bike. It is just under 20 kilometres long, with about two-thirds of the route on unpaved paths and the rest on paved paths. The length, technical difficulty and surface together give a clearer picture of the route’s character. By contrast, the “Rondje Lauwersmeer” cycling route passes the fishing and leisure harbour at Lauwersoog. The routes therefore differ in the features described: the MTB route is characterised by its length, difficulty and surface, while the “Rondje Lauwersmeer” is defined by its connection to the harbour.

Harbour, Wadden Sea and wildlife watching

The “Haventour Lauwersoog” Foodwalk route takes you through the fishing harbour and shares stories about what goes on there and the history of fishing. A boat trip with a different focus is “Ontdek de haven en de Waddenzee”: it first takes you through the harbour of Lauwersoog and then out onto the Wadden Sea. There, visitors can watch birds and, with a bit of luck, seals. You can choose between a walk featuring stories about fishing and a trip out onto the Wadden Sea.

At the WEC in Lauwersoog, visitors can visit a seal hospital and learn more about seals and their habitat. You can also learn about the Wadden Sea there, while enjoying the building and the view. At ’t Ailand, the focus is on hands-on activities in the Wadden Sea, including fishing, mudflat sledging and filleting fish. Workshops are also offered on filleting poontjes, wild Wadden Sea oysters or seagrass. If you plan to attend a particular workshop, check the booking and availability information beforehand, as both may change.

Harbour history and ferry crossing

The history of the place is closely linked to the development of the harbour. After the decision was made in 1960 to close off the Lauwerszee, Lauwersoog was established on a sandbank in the Lauwerszee as a working island. The former working island became the new ferry port for the route to Schiermonnikoog and the home port of fishermen from Zoutkamp and Wierum.

The ferry from Lauwersoog to Schiermonnikoog takes around 45 minutes; bicycles and carts can be taken aboard. This makes the crossing another option to consider when planning your stay. Timetables and booking rules may change, so check them before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Hornhuizen, Ulrum, Leens, Westernieland, Zoutkamp, Houwerzijl, Molenrij, Warfhuizen.

For the broader travel overview: De Marne.