Sondel was founded around 1300 on Gaasterland’s high sandy ridge. The village’s history provides a clear starting point for deciding where to travel: church history is central in the village, while wetlands, birdwatching and fishing define the nature experience at the Sondeler Leien. What you can observe there varies by season, so your preferred focus also plays a role in choosing when to travel.
Church history across several periods
Sondel’s Reformed Church dates from 1870 and stands on older foundations. The history of the church site goes back to the 12th century, when a small chapel and a bell stood there. The church also has a bell frame with a 14th-century bell. These dates refer to different periods: 1870 dates the church, while the chapel and bell mark the site’s earlier history. If you are interested in Sondel’s development, you can distinguish between the 19th-century building and the site’s earlier sacred use.
Sondeler Leien: Wetland and birdwatching
The Sondeler Leien marshland consists of meadows, reed beds, dense shrubs and forest. The nature area is in Gaasterland; the inland lake probably formed when a dike broke along the former Zuiderzee.
Various duck species can be observed in the winter months from the birdwatching hut at the Sondeler Leien. In spring, various reed birds can be heard there. For planning, the difference between seeing and hearing is as relevant as the change of season: in winter, ducks are the focus; in spring, it is the calls of the reed birds. From Sondel, you can reach the hut by taking the turn-off towards De Leijen.
Fishing is possible from the fishing jetty at the Sondeler Leien. This means that two different activities take centre stage in this nature area: seasonal birdwatching from the hut and fishing from the jetty. You can choose which activity shapes your trip and match it to the focus of your stay.
The Bremer Wildernis: Forest and wildlife
The Bremer Wildernis is a 47-hectare forest area north of Nijemirdum. It borders the Lycklamabos and the Starnumanbossen. Roe deer and badgers live there. As a landscape type, this forest area differs from the wetlands of the Sondeler Leien: forest is the focus at the Bremer Wildernis, while the Sondeler Leien is marshland with meadows and reed beds.
The Bremer Wildernis can only be crossed on foot, by bicycle or on horseback along the riding trails; cars are not allowed. The permitted ways of crossing are therefore a practical planning consideration if you would like to include this forest area.
Your options offer different focal points: church history in Sondel, seasonal birdwatching or fishing at the Sondeler Leien, and forest landscapes in the Bremer Wildernis. If birdwatching is the deciding factor, take the difference between winter and spring into account; at the Bremer Wildernis, the permitted ways of crossing are particularly relevant.
Discover more travel destinations: Harich, Oudemirdum, Sleat, Rijs, Wijckel, Balk
Go to the regional travel overview: Gaasterlân-Sleat.
