Waterways and local history come together in Uitwellingerga. A circular boating route across the Sneekermeer, an adapted cycle route through the historic village centre and the Poldermolen Uitwellingerga offer different starting points for planning a trip. There is also a protected church and evidence of the area’s former transport history.
Waterways and passages
The circular boating route, about 11 kilometres long, runs from Sneek via Uitwellingerga and the Sneekermeer, then back to Sneek via the Houkesloot. Specific passage restrictions are important for boaters: because of its poor condition, the bridge at Uitwellingerga cannot currently be operated for shipping. Vessels at least 7.10 metres high must therefore detour via IJlst and Sneek. The route described reaches Uitwellingerga via the Watersportboulevard It Ges; boats more than 3.90 metres wide cannot pass along this section. Check the navigational status and route conditions before setting off.
The Prinses-Margriet Tunnel is another landmark on the water: near Uitwellingerga, it runs beneath the Prinses-Margriet Canal. The structure is an aqueduct that also serves as a road tunnel. It connects the Sneekermeer via the Modderige Geau and the Sânepoel to the Aldhôf. This lake, known in Dutch as de Oudhof, lies southeast of Sneek in the middle of the de Witte en Zwarte Brekken nature area and is part of a Natura 2000 site.
Cycling through the village centre
In 2024, Recreatieschap Marrekrite adapted the cycle route through Uitwellingerga: it now includes the historic village centre and avoids crossing the Nije Dyk. As this route information dates from 2024, check the current route before setting out. This allows you to plan a cycling trip that takes in the village centre without assuming that the adapted route is unchanging.
Church, village history and events
The Hermes-tsjerke in Uitwellingerga is protected as a Rijksmonument. As part of Tsjerkepaad 2026, it was open every Saturday from 4 July to 12 September, from 13:30 to 17:00. The focus was the interactive exhibition “Door het water van de doop” about baptisms and baptismal gowns. This programme was part of the summer of 2026; the opening hours given describe that season.
Another testament to local history is the former tram stop at Brêgesleatswei 1. It was built in 1886 during construction of the Sneek–Joure tram line. Village festivals are also part of the local events calendar: the Oranjevereniging Oppenhuizen en Uitwellingerga organises them annually. Sports and games, live music, bingo and a fairground ride are often part of the programme, but are not guaranteed at every festival; dates and activities vary.
The Poldermolen Uitwellingerga
The Poldermolen Uitwellingerga was built in 1920 beside the Doltesloot. It is a working American wind motor made by Herkules. It is the only surviving medium-sized “energy” wind motor in the Netherlands. In the pastureland near the Sneekermeer, the mill is also a prominent landmark because of its significance to the landscape. The structure brings together its year of construction, technical classification and importance to the landscape.
Plan your trip around your interests
If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Uitwellingerga, it helps to decide in advance what you would like to focus on during your stay. For a boat trip, the information about bridge height and boat width is relevant; for a cycling trip, check the current route. Those interested in local and architectural history can explore specific points of interest at the Hermes-tsjerke, the former tram stop and the Poldermolen.
Discover more destinations: Stavoren, Gaast, Laaxum, Workum, Arum, Warns, Molkwerum, Lollum.
Return to the main travel overview: Súdwest Fryslân.
