Holiday apartment in Earnewâld: Nature, Water and Skûtsje History

Earnewâld lies in the heart of De Alde Feanen National Park and combines nature rich in waterways with unique insights into Friesland’s past. When choosing your holiday apartment in Earnewâld, you can therefore focus on different aspects: peaceful landscapes, active days on hiking and cycling routes, experiences on the water, local history or winter ice skating on natural ice.

Nature and routes around Earnewâld

The information point for De Alde Feanen National Park is located in the centre of Earnewâld. Hiking and cycling routes are available there. Several hiking trails around Earnewâld lead to various birdwatching hides and observation towers. This allows you to combine exercise and nature observation without all travellers having to follow the same daily rhythm.

De Alde Feanen National Park is characterised by a diverse landscape: more than 450 different plant species occur here, and the area also includes around 425 hectares of water. The natural area also includes It Wikelslân, a wetland with alder carr forests, reed beds, peat cuttings and narrow strips of land. These different landscape elements give walks and observation tours their own distinctive character.

Water experiences and cycling tours

De Alde Feanen National Park is particularly well suited to exploring by boat. A varied route also leads through the area by bicycle: the 45-kilometre De pontjesroute runs across the island of De Bird towards Grou, then via Akkrum, Pean and De Veenhoop back to Earnewâld. Four ferries are used along the way. The “Hin & Wer” ferry connects pedestrians and cyclists between the village of Earnewâld and the It Wiid bungalow park and campsite.

Earnewâld also has a beach with a large recreational area. This means that active routes, trips on the water and quieter hours at the beach are among the different options you can take into account when planning your stay.

Skûtsjes, crafts and local history

The Skûtsjemuseum Earnewâld is dedicated to the lives of earlier generations of Skûtsje boatmen. It presents traditional shipbuilding crafts, including blacksmithing and sailmaking. A replica of a wooden Skûtsje from 1861 is moored at the museum’s quay. In Earnewâld, you can therefore encounter both maritime everyday history and vivid traditional craftsmanship.

The village churches also preserve distinctive historical details. The Nederlands Hervormde Kerk in Earnewâld was built in 1794; its pulpit, dating from 1699, bears the coat of arms of Earnewâld. The Gereformeerde Kerk was built in 1906 and has a distinctive pulpit shaped like the bow of a Skûtsje.

Another special feature is De Zwaluwhaven. Its design includes 251 nesting openings; 12 of them remain closed and symbolise the number of aircraft that did not return. Behind the Skûtsjemuseum, an exhibition about the excavated aircraft and the history of its final flight in Earnewâld can also be visited.

Summer on the water, natural ice in winter

Earnewâld is considered a true ice-skating village. In winter, its sheltered surroundings, rich in waterways, are ideal for skating on natural ice. Together with the beach, hiking trails, viewpoints and boating experiences, this creates a destination where very different types of holiday days can be enjoyed depending on the season.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Earnewâld, your preferred combination is therefore the main factor: those seeking nature and birdwatching will find plenty of opportunities along the hiking trails and in the wetlands. Those interested in water and activity can focus on cycling routes, ferries and exploring the national park by boat. Culture enthusiasts can discover the Skûtsjemuseum, churches and the exhibition on the history of the aircraft.

Discover more places

Other destinations you can discover from this selection of locations: Sumar, Oostermeer, Noardburgum, Wyns, Hardegarijp, Burgum, Jistrum and Ryptsjerk.

For the higher-level travel overview: Tytsjerksteradiel.