Greater Friesland Path

Our friends the Oranginas walking group of the Netherlands say:

“This is a long distance walking route between Bergen aan Zee on the North Sea coast (West Friesland), Netherlands, and heads to Leer (East Friesland, Germany), via the lake IJsselmeer to LAW nr.14. The entire trail is 362 km/224 m.

History: In earlier times Friesland was overall the northern area along the Dutch and German North Sea coast, a large, contiguous area of habitat. There would have been a kingdom of Friesland: Frisia or Magna Frisia. Due to subsidence of the peat soils during the early Middle Ages a lot of land flooded, resulting in the Zuiderzee (nowadays the IJsselmeer) and as a result of that the separation between West Friesland, Friesland (the province) and the Frisian in the north east of Germany.

The Greater Friesland trail (LAW 14) has been developed by Wandelnet. Here you can buy the guidebook LAW-gids nr.14, S. de Vet, pub.Stichting Wandelnet. Or in the Tourist offices, bookshops or internet. €19,45.
The 23 sections of this trail, 20 - 23 km., lead you through a varied landscape. Starting from the North Sea coast, through the dunes to Schoorl. And ending in Leer, along the Ems river.
You walk across ancient dikes, a boat trip (ferry, 80 min.) on the IJsselmeer, old Frisian cities, a lot of water; the Frisian lakes. Streams, rivers, canals, ponds, ditches and locks. In Friesland they have more words for bodies of water than for bread.
Elongated peat villages remind us of the poverty of the past. Through meadows, heath land and forests. Endless views.
For more information about the trail, the landscapes, the culture, the photos, please visit:
https://www.oranginas.nl/en/hiking-trail/wandelroute-netherlands

Getting there: the start of the walking tour is near Schiphol airport. Take the train to Alkmaar: about 1 hour. And from there the bus to Bergen aan Zee ( 35 min). Throughout the route there are sufficient possibilities for public transport. When you arrive in Leer, we advise you to use the train station in Nieuweschans for your return journey. Leer-Nieuweschans: 28 km.
Accommodation: hotels, B&B's. Camping sites, in summer.
Height: below sea level till 30 m. (!)”

Thank you to the Oranginas for the infomation and Hans in particular. And for the lovely photos. And to Marjin Bosma for the map.

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