Gorredijk offers opportunities to explore local history, green routes and recreational boating. A special cultural destination is Museum Opsterlân, housed in a listed school building dating from 1887. The historic centre also features old canal houses, the Groene Long and the Turf Route, which runs through Gorredijk. When planning your visit, you can choose different areas of focus rather than trying to fit every activity into a fixed itinerary.
Museum and history of Gorredijk
Museum Opsterlân presents the history of Gorredijk. Frequently changing themed exhibitions complement the permanent exhibition, which covers five timeless themes. The museum also serves as a tourist information centre: you can get information there about regional activities, other museums, leisure options and events. Guidebooks, souvenirs, maps and brochures are also available. This gives you both exhibition content and guidance on other regional offerings in one place.
The historic centre also tells the story of the town’s development. Old canal houses define the centre and were built during Gorredijk’s early years. The town itself grew out of peat extraction. The Friese Waterlinie, established in the 16th and 17th centuries, offers another historical connection; remnants of this line can still be found in Gorredijk.
South of Gorredijk, a historic Jewish cemetery lies along the Dwersfeart. It makes a suitable stop on a walking or cycling tour. This allows you to include a site of Jewish history as a separate stop on a tour on foot or by bike.
Walking routes through green spaces and past information boards
The Groene Long route passes through Gorredijk’s green spaces and includes the Gordykster Bos, the only forest in Gorredijk. “Gordykster Bos” is a locally used name, but not an official one. The Gordykster Feitjes offer a different focus: they connect around 20 information boards along three walking routes in Gorredijk. The two options therefore differ in focus: the Groene Long centres on green spaces and woodland, while the Feitjes focus on information boards and the three walking routes.
Turf Route and waterways
The Turf Route runs directly through Gorredijk and is now used for recreational boating. Both the long and short loops pass through the town, and boats can moor at several places here. The lock in Gorredijk is one of three entrance locks to the official sections of the Turf Route. Those exploring the route will find that Gorredijk is both a point along both loops and the location of one of the aforementioned entrance locks.
The length and infrastructure of another specific waterway section are also described: the section of the Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart runs from Gorredijk via Donkerbroek to Sluis III near Oosterwolde. It is 20 kilometres long and has four locks, 22 movable bridges and one fixed bridge.
Markets throughout the year
Gorredijk’s Wednesday market has been held since 1694. The Gordykstermerke takes place in the town twice a year. If one of the markets is a deciding factor in your trip, check the current dates in advance so you can plan your stay accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Beetsterzwaag, Wijnjewoude, Bakkeveen, Hemrik, Lippenhuizen, Jonkerslan, Frieschepalen, Tijnje.
For the broader travel overview: Opsterland.
