Its location on the dike and the IJsselmeer gives Laaxum its distinctive landscape; its fishing history and routes add to the picture of the place. During your stay, you can focus on nature watching, traces of the past or choosing a route.
On the dike: nature and geology
The shallow waters, reed beds and shore areas of the Mokkebank nature reserve provide a habitat for breeding birds. The nearby De Mok birdwatching hide offers a view over the Mokkebank. The hide is accessible year-round; check access before you travel.
Nearby, the Rode Klif (Red Cliff) lies on the IJsselmeer. The cliff is 10 metres high and formed during the penultimate ice age. Its formation adds a geological dimension to the landscape that differs from the shore and reed areas of the Mokkebank.
Harbour, fishing and history
Laaxum’s historic fishing industry initially focused on catching flounder and later on eel fishing. The former building De Hang was once used for salting and smoking herring. It now houses a fish restaurant where fish is served. Two professional fishermen continue to catch Laaksumer Bot using traditional methods; Laaxum harbour is their base. The harbour is known as “Europe’s smallest fishing harbour”.
Laaxum played a role in the Battle of Warns in 1345: an army led by Count Willem IV of Holland landed there to attack the Frisians. Laaksumer Bot is a recognised Frisian regional product. In summer, you can try it at restaurants in the area around Laaxum.
Routes and cultural traces
The literary cycling route “Tusken Himel en Ierde” passes through Warns on its way to Laaxum. Its history includes roof texts at seventeen farms in Molkwerum, Warns, Laaxum and Scharl. Together, the texts formed a poem; some have since disappeared. The route thus links a specific cycling route with a literary idea, whose elements have not all survived.
The Vissersroute runs along the coast of the former Zuiderzee and includes Laaxum as one of the fishing villages. A signposted circular route runs for 6.7 kilometres between Warns, Laaxum and Skarl. Its first section descends from Warns to the hamlet of Laaxum. The Kuiertocht Warns follows paved paths throughout and is considered easily accessible for wheelchairs, rollators and pushchairs.
Another circular route is named Laaxum–Mirns–Bakhuizen–Hemelum–Warns. It runs from Laaxum harbour along the Wieldijk, with views of the IJsselmeer, towards Bakhuizen. The routes therefore differ in their stated highlights: the 6.7-kilometre route specifies its length and the descent on its first section, while the route along the Wieldijk highlights the lake views. Before setting out on the 6.7-kilometre circular route or the route along the Wieldijk, it is worth checking the current route, as path conditions can change.
Discover more destinations: Parrega, Woudsend, Hindeloopen, Warns, Wons, Ijlst, Koudum, Pingjum.
For the main travel overview: Súdwest Fryslân.
