Discover Reitsum: Churches, Terps and Trails

Reitsum combines historic churches, visible terps and routes through the surrounding area with a tangible insight into regional dairy products.

Churches and farming heritage

On Reitsum’s village terp, the terrain reveals the remains of a church and a cemetery. In addition, there is the Hervormde Kerk van Reitsum, built in 1738. These two historical references highlight different aspects of the village’s history.

The former Reformed church at Flieterpsterdyk 23 is a straight-ended hall church built in 1896, with a wooden façade tower and an attached sacristy. Today, it is used as the Bij De Pastorie Boutique Hotel, where church suites can be booked.

Several monumental head-neck-body farmhouses stand in the immediate vicinity of Reitsum’s church. Ds. J.J.A. Ploos van Amstel was buried next to his church in Reitsum. The farmhouses and this burial add further concrete historical references to the architectural heritage of the churches.

Terps and routes around Reitsum

Two cycling routes offer different views of the landscape around the village. The “Fietsroute langs prachtige Waddendorpjes” cycling route continues via Jannum to Reitsum; Reitsum and Ginnum are among the four Flieterpen, or refuge terps. The “Rondje Holwerd” route runs through the hinterland, with Reitsum one of the small terp villages where the terps are visible.

Stage 4 of the Klooster Claercamppad between Dokkum and Ferwert also passes through Reitsum and forms part of the Klooster Clearcamppad. Reitsum, Genum and Lichtaard are among the Flieterpen, a group of terp villages in a low-lying area behind the Kwelderwall, on which Ferwert, Marrum and Hallum are situated. This creates a thematic arc for you from the terps to the surrounding routes, without limiting the village to a single activity.

There are three specific route options for planning your walks and bike rides: the “Fietsroute langs prachtige Waddendorpjes” cycling route runs via Jannum to Reitsum, “Rondje Holwerd” runs through the hinterland, and the fourth stage of the Klooster Claercamppad passes through Reitsum between Dokkum and Ferwert.

Regional products as a local detail

At De Molketap in Reitsum, you can find fresh milk, Vla and other dairy products. These products add an everyday culinary aspect to the village’s themes and provide a distinct accent alongside its church, terp and cycling experiences.

A holiday apartment in Reitsum for planning your trip

You can assess which holiday apartment or holiday home in Reitsum suits your trip primarily according to your preferred focus: churches and farmhouses, the Flieterpen and visible terps, or the two cycling routes and the Klooster Claercamppad. If you are travelling with family members who have different interests, you can deliberately plan these themes alongside one another. This keeps Reitsum a versatile destination: cultural history, landscape features, physical activity and regional products each offer their own perspective on the village.

More places to consider

If you would also like to compare other places: Ferwerd, Hogebeintum, Jannum, Blija, Marrum and Burdaard.

For the broader travel overview: Ferwerderadiel.