Drachten, Earnewald, Oudega

This route takes you through Oudega, a picturesque village in the Smallingerland municipality, among other places. Oudega has a rich history and was once the main town of this municipality. Smallingerland is an elongated municipality in Friesland, which takes its name from the narrow water the Smalle Ee, also known as the Smalle Eester Sanding. From Oudega, you cycle towards this picturesque water, passing various wide landscapes with characteristic Frisian farms along the way.

On your bike, you will enter the nature area De Alde Feanen, a vast low moorland swamp that has been declared a National Park. This unique nature reserve is known for its rich biodiversity. Bird lovers can enjoy the many special species nesting in the marshland here, and along the route there are several viewpoints where you can stop to take it all in.

At the village of De Veenhoop, you can shorten the route by crossing the water with a ferry (only during the high season) and directly enter De Alde Feanen. In low season, you make a diversion via the pretty village of Grou. Located on the Pikmeer lake, Grou is known for its rich maritime history, making it a popular destination for sailors and water sports enthusiasts.