In Opsterland, natural and cultural discoveries are close together: the landscape ranges from forests and heathland to grassland, canals and marshes. The history of peat extraction has also shaped the villages and waterways. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can explore the region on foot, by bike or along a boating route; museums and memorial sites offer further perspectives on its past.
Heathland, Forest and Water Across Varied Landscapes
Mandefjild brings together heathland, forest, small bodies of water and former areas of drifting sand. The area has Natura 2000 status. Wijnjeterperschar offers a different combination: here you’ll find wet and dry heathland, nutrient-poor meadows, small bodies of water and an old meander of the Boorne. The differences between these landscapes can become part of your outdoor experience, without every natural area having the same character.
In Wijnjeterperschar, a three-kilometre poetry trail combines walking with literary discoveries. Along the way, you’ll encounter fifteen poems by well-known writers. The route is ideal for anyone who wants to focus not only on the landscape but also on literature while out for a walk.
Choose Your Own Routes
Opsterland’s network of walking trails lets you plan your own routes from one junction to another through forests, pastures and areas with a rich municipal history. The cycling network follows the same principle: plan your own route through landscapes and villages. This lets you tailor each walk or bike ride to the places and paths that interest you. There are also bridleways, particularly around Wijnjewoude.
For walks in the Bakkefeansterdunen area, you can choose from routes of 1.5, 3.5 and 8 kilometres, which can be combined. The different route lengths give you a concrete choice of distance; check the route information before setting off. Tourist transfer points offer another way to get your bearings: visitors can park there and start their route on foot or by bike.
Waterways and Traces of Peat Transport
The Turfroute is a boating route that runs through parts of Opsterland. Construction of the Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart began near Gorredijk in 1630 to transport peat. There are nine locks along the Vaart between Gorredijk and Appelscha. The Polderhoofdkanaal has a later chapter in its history: in 2015, it reconnected the Turfroute with De Alde Feanen National Park.
The Sudergemaal is a place where the waterway and the history of technology meet. It lies south of Nij Beets, directly alongside the Turfroute. Built in 1924 as one of Friesland’s first electric pumping stations, it is still almost in its original condition. Visitors can moor there and continue on foot to Nij Beets; check locally before setting out to confirm visitor access.
Museums, Monuments and Local History
In Gorredijk, the Museum Opsterlân displays the Wijnjeterp hand axe, dating from 150,000 BC, in its permanent exhibition. The open-air museum It Damshûs offers a different view of the past: it reconstructs peat workers’ cottages, a church, the peat contractor’s pub, a small mill and other buildings at a 1:1 scale. Rather than individual objects, the focus is on a reconstructed setting of buildings.
Opsterland’s discoveries also include places of remembrance. The Joods Monument in Gorredijk commemorates the Jewish residents of Gorredijk who died during the Second World War. Huize Olterterp Park was once part of the Olterterp estate; the present country house replaced the former castle in 1907. In Tijnje, guided tours at Kaasboerderij De Gelder offer insights into how the farm came about and the journey from grass to cheese. Tours take place by request or as part of scheduled open tours.
Discover more destinations: Bakkeveen, Frieschepalen, Beetsterzwaag, Gorredijk, Jonkerslan, Lippenhuizen, Olterterp, Wijnjewoude, Hemrik, Tijnje.
Go to the main travel overview: Friesland.
