Discover Harich through a variety of interests: its church with historical details, Harichsterbos with its tree-lined avenues and wildlife, Wyldemerk with its pools and seasonal dragonfly watching, and the horse-riding facilities at Manege Gaasterland. If you’re looking for accommodation in Harich, it helps to first decide which of these themes you want to shape your stay.
Church and funerary art in Harich
The church in Harich dates from the 12th century. The rebuilt church was put into use in 1663; the history of the village therefore includes both a medieval origin and later use after reconstruction. On the south façade of the simply designed church, a memorial stone decorated with eagles and cornucopias stands out. The elevated churchyard is surrounded by a wall with cast-iron railings. The Van Swinderen family crypt is located on the east side of the church. The church’s Neoclassical tomb monument consists of a white marble sarcophagus; inscriptions mention, among others, Ulbo Aylva Rengers. The church grounds thus bring together different forms of monuments and funerary art with the history of the building.
Harichsterbos: tree-lined avenues and wildlife
Harichsterbos lies south of Harich and southwest of Balk. Its characteristic raised-bed structure and historically significant tree-lined avenues give the forest a designed landscape. A one-kilometre-long lime-tree avenue runs along its southwest side. The wildlife in Harichsterbos includes roe deer, badgers and stone martens. An old Tsjerkepaed runs from Harich along the northeast side of the forest. Alongside the designed landscape, specific opportunities for nature watching are another option to consider during your stay.
Wyldemerk: dragonflies and boat trips
The Wyldemerk nature area is characterised by several large pools and ponds surrounded by unspoilt, wooded countryside. Up to 40 dragonfly species can be observed there from spring to late summer. Those interested in dragonflies can enjoy this seasonal wildlife-watching opportunity. Wyldemerk is considered Europe’s first official dragonfly reserve. It is not a swimming area. You can go out on the water in a sloop, canoe or small cruiser. Nature watching and boating offer different ways to experience the waterside landscape; swimming is explicitly not permitted.
Horse-riding facilities and routes
Manege Gaasterland has numerous facilities for riders, horse-carriage drivers and horses. As these facilities may change, check what is currently offered before your visit. Horses and ponies are not available for hire there; you can only bring your own animals. The riding centre’s large paved car park is connected by a bridge to more than 30 kilometres of horse-riding trails. The complete Ruiterroute Gaasterland oost takes about two hours at a walk before you return to the riding centre; the actual duration varies depending on conditions and pace. Ruiterroute Gaasterland west is also accessible to horse-drawn carriages. The time estimate therefore applies to the eastern route, while the carriage rule applies to the western route.
Choose the focus of your stay
When looking for hotels in Harich, you can start by sorting your interests: architecture and funerary art, woodland scenery and wildlife, dragonfly watching and boating, or horse riding. Swimming is not an option at Wyldemerk; at the riding centre, you must bring your own horse or pony. The route details also differ: the approximate duration refers to the complete eastern route ridden at a walk, while access for horse-drawn carriages applies to the western route.
Discover more destinations: Wijckel, Balk, Rijs, Sleat, Oudemirdum, Sondel.
Go to the main travel overview: Gaasterlân-Sleat.
