Through and around the Princehof and De Alde Feanen nature reserves - 47 km

This route is suitable for beginners and for any motorboat.

Terherne, Irnsum, Grou, Wergea, Warten, Earnewald, Akkrum, Terherne.

Distance and estimated travel time:

The 2,500-hectare Princehof and Alde Feanen nature reserve, a national park, is one of the most remarkable natural lowland peatlands in Western Europe.

In this nature reserve, managed by It Fryske Gea, it is not people but plants and animals that take center stage. However, on these low-lying peatlands—home to over 400 plant species and more than 100 species of breeding birds—the traces of human intervention, resulting from nearly two centuries of fuel extraction and agriculture, remain visible to this day. You can see this in the so-called “ribs,” “petgaten,” and blue grasslands. Surrounding this fantastic nature reserve are characteristic Frisian villages that you simply must visit if you want to get to know Mid-Friesland.

At Pikmar near Grou, sail up the Tynje into the Peanster Ie, which merges into the Sitebuorster Ie. Then proceed via the Kromme Ie and the Grytmansrak to the drawbridge over the Headamsleat.

– Maximum clearance height on the main route: unlimited
– Maximum draft on the main route: 1.50 m
– Length of the main route: approximately 22 km

Option 1

From the Peanster Ie, you can also sail starboard via the Janssleat, the Modderige Bol, and the Goengahuster Sleat toward the Kromme Ie and the Grytmansrak. At the beginning and end of this alternative route, there is a lock with a maximum width of 5 m. The maximum draft is 1.4 m. Via the Headamsleat, you’ll reach the Krusdobbe. If you continue straight ahead here, you’ll reach the village of Earnewald via the Fokkesleat.

Route 2

If you want to avoid the drawbridge over the Headamsleat, you must sail up the Greft via the Sitebuorster Ie. Halfway along the Greft, turn starboard off the Geau. This waterway leads to the Bleipet. If you continue to follow this route, you’ll end up on the Krusdobbe.

Option 3

If you head port side on the Krusdobbe, you can reach the Princehof Earnewald via several scenic routes through nature. For example, you can sail via the Raamsleat or the Djippe Gat and the Hansmar to the Folkertssleat, after which you’ll reach Earnewald via the Ulekrite. Max. draft 1.2 m./max. width 5 m.

After your visit to Earnewald, sail back toward Hotel-Restaurant Princenhof, and then proceed via the Sigersdjip—which flows into the Lange Sleat—to reach the Kruswetters. As an alternative to this short route, you can also sail through the Alde Feanen nature reserve. From the Kruswetters, you can sail back to Grou via the Prinses Margriet Canal and the Biggemar. At the intersection of the Prinses Margriet Canal and the Trijhustersleat, you’ll find Restaurant Trijejus, which features a lovely waterfront terrace.

Route 4

From the Kruswetters, continue along the Prinses Margriet Canal toward Grou. Halfway there, turn port and enter the Greft, which leads to the Sitebuorste Ie. Via the Peanster Ie, the Tynje, and the Pikmar, you’ll return to Grou. Maximum draft: 1.70.

Map in: Google Maps