Holiday apartment in Tytsjerksteradiel between water, nature and culture

Tytsjerksteradiel shows its special side where waterscapes, ancient culture and diverse nature intertwine. The municipality’s varied landscapes offer opportunities for water sports as well as numerous possibilities for hiking and cycling. Most of the area belongs to the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden, whose landscape is characterised by rows of alders and hedgerows, sandy paths and pingos formed during the Ice Age. The municipality’s tourist centre is formed by De Alde Feanen National Park and the village of Earnewâld.

Nature and water

Earnewâld is located in De Alde Feanen National Park and offers opportunities for boating, hiking, cycling and birdwatching. Excursions and round trips are also among the activities mentioned. The national park’s information centre in Earnewâld provides information about routes, nature and activities, and is also a starting point for hikes and boat trips. Pettebosk, a small wetland adventure forest with plenty of water, bridges and a play area for children, is located near the visitor centre.

The Mindfulness Route runs through It Wikelsân in De Alde Feanen National Park and has been open to the public since May 2025. “Rondje Alde Feanen” is also listed as a boat route with a length of 31.4 kilometres. The cycle route “Fietsen langs het water” is listed as 39.7 kilometres long. The route “Earnewâld: toeristisch hart van De Alde Feanen” is 5.5 kilometres long and runs through the 40 Mêd area, along the open waterway Lange Sleat and past a meadow bird area. The route “Musea en natuur in Burgum & Noardburgum” is 10.5 kilometres long and follows old paths through the natural and forested areas of the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden.

40 Mêd is a wet peatland area characterised mainly by reeds and water-filled peat extraction pits created through peat cutting. Characteristic birds include the bittern, bearded reedling and reed warbler. The polder along the path near Earnewâld is a breeding area for meadow birds in spring. Burgumer Mar also combines water and birdlife: the freshwater lake has extensive reed and marsh areas where water and marsh birds such as bitterns, bearded reedlings and great egrets can be observed.

De Leijen is a shallow lake in many places, created through peat extraction. The De Leijen–De Putten observation tower stands on an old pumping station. The nature area near Gytsjerk includes carr forests, wetlands, reeds and uncultivated areas and is part of the so-called Bûtenfjild.

Culture and crafts

In Earnewâld, the Skûtsjemuseum is dedicated to the lives of earlier generations of skûtsje skippers. It also presents traditional shipbuilding crafts such as blacksmithing and sailmaking. Scherjon's Klompenmuseum tells the history of the oldest Dutch shoes and displays an international collection of wooden shoes. Visitors can look directly into the workshop and watch sixth-generation clog makers producing wooden shoes today.

In Noardburgum, the Fierljepmuseum presents the history and development of fierljeppen, a traditional Frisian pole-vaulting sport. At the Fierljeppolder in the Burgum area, visitors can learn more about fierljeppen and also try this traditional pole-vaulting sport themselves. Another historical landmark is the Elfstedentocht memorial Tegeltjesbrug near Gytsjerk. It was designed by Maree Blok and Bas Lugthart and is covered with thousands of handmade tiles. The tiles show portraits of skaters who once completed the Elfstedentocht.

The It Kokelhûs fan Jan en Sjut museum is housed in a dwelling built in 1777 by a peat entrepreneur. It preserves a living room furnished entirely in the style of the early 20th century, with tiled walls and two box beds. In Vijversburg Park, Frijlân is designed as a park area created specifically for children. It features a water play area and a water maze that can be explored on a raft.

History and sacred buildings

In Wyns, the nave and choir of St Vitus’ Church were built around 1200 from red monastery bricks, which was unusual for that period. Inside are a 16th-century wooden barrel vault and an organ from 1899. St Paul’s Church in Aldtsjerk dates from the mid-12th century. Its well-preserved interior includes a pulpit from 1630 and the Sminiabank.

Parks and landscapes

Stania State near Oentsjerk is an estate offering opportunities for walks in the park and scenic cycling routes in the surrounding area. The old park around Heemstra State in Oentsjerk remains accessible. It includes long avenues, old trees and the former gardener’s house.

The architectural details of the Tegeltjesbrug are also part of the waterscape. The fixed Kanterland Bridge at the Tegeltjesbrug has a clearance height of 2.5 metres. It can be passed by a sloop, SUP, canoe or boat with its mast lowered.

Other places

Other places in the municipality include Eernewoude, Oostermeer, Ryptsjerk, Aldtsjerk, Hardegarijp, Sumar, Noardburgum, Burgum, Jistrum and Wyns.

To the overarching travel overview: Friesland.