Holiday apartment in Veenwouden: waterways and Frisian history

Holiday apartment in Veenwouden among waterways and history

Feanwâldsterwâl developed from Veenwouden as a peat colony, possibly founded by Gieterse Mennonites. On the Dantumadiel side, the traditional Woudhuisjes, locally known as “spultsjes”, stand in a relatively continuous row. Until 1865, there was a small meeting house on De Wâl; afterwards, a new one was built a little farther along the Zuiderweg between Feanwâldsterwâl and Veenwouden. The former School met den Bijbel at De Zwette 20 was built in 1909 as a four-class middle-hall school made of sand-lime bricks.

Hiking and cycling through the Fryske Wâlden

On foot, the Streekpad Noardlike Fryske Wâlden opens up an extensive landscape. The trail starts in Burgum, runs via Feanwâldsterwâl towards Trynwâlden, and is a circular hiking trail of around 165 km through the National Landscape of de Fryske Wâlden. The shorter Rondje Feanwâlden – Feanwâldsterwâl hiking route follows small waterways to Feanwâldsterwâl. For travel planning, the routes are clearly distinct: the Streekpad starts in Burgum and runs via Feanwâldsterwâl towards Trynwâlden, while Rondje Feanwâlden – Feanwâldsterwâl follows small waterways to Feanwâldsterwâl.

Cycling also offers clear connections: a cycle path connects De Wâl with the Trynwâlden and takes cyclists through Feanwâldsterwâl. The Iisbaankeunstrûte Noord Fryslân passes the village ice rink of Feanwâldsterwâl, where art, photography and poetry come together.

Waterways, wetlands and short paddling routes

In the wider Noard-Fryslân area, the nature reserves Groote Wielen, Sippenfennen, Houtwiel, Bûtefjild and Zwagermieden form a connected wetland landscape with reed beds and marshes. Cycling, hiking and canoeing are possible there; whisper boats and canoes are available for hire in Feanwâldsterwâl. A 4.5 km paddling route runs through the Sippen-Fennen, an area surrounded by the Ottema-Wiersma Reserve and the Houtwielen. The short It Bûtefjild route can be navigated by canoe, SUP or a small boat.

The It Bûtefjild route starts at Hotel Eetcafé 't Dûke Lûk in Feanwâldsterwâl. From the jetty at Hotel Eetcafé 't Dûke Lûk, guests can set off by whisper boat, canoe or SUP and reach the green surroundings of the Friese Wouden within two minutes.

Art, local history and traditions

The artwork Feanwâldsterwâl is a photograph by Baukje Venema. It depicts the village ice rink and is part of a series of artworks at the ice rinks along the Iisbaankeunstrûte. The village ice rink is both the subject of the photograph and part of the route of the Iisbaankeunstrûte. The local Iisklub Eendracht is also part of the local tradition; it is active and organizes, among other things, a torchlight procession.

Places in Dantumadiel

Other places in Dantumadiel: Broeksterwald, De Falom, Rinsumageast and Sibrandahûs.

More about Dantumadiel: Dantumadiel.