Friese Elfsteden Wandeltochten

Friese Elfsteden Wandeltochten (11-Cities Walking Tour) is a 207 kilometer long tour that leads the walkers in 5 days through the historical Frisian 11 cities. Between the cities you can walk through the vast meadow landscape and picturesque villages. During the trip you can enjoy the panoramic views, the beautiful fields with grazing cows, Friesian horses and the rich history of the landscape. The 11-Cities Walking Tour is traditionally organized in the week of Ascension Day.

Frísia, Netherlands
From May 16 to
May 20, 2023
5 days
/ 5 routes
Difficult Levels: Hard
Landscape: Urban, Urban Surroundings
Stichting Friese 11-Stedenwandeltocht
Icarusweg 22A 8938 AX Leeuwarden

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Friese Elfsteden Wandeltochten

The 75th edition of the tour will be hiked in 2023, from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 May.

5-day

The 5-day tour is the traditional tour as it has been held since 1946. In 5 days the tour leads the walkers along the historical Frisian 11 cities. The tour is a nice challenge for an experienced hiker. The person who completes the tour is awarded the 11-City Cross and an unforgettable memory.

The rate for participation in the five-day walking tour, without arrangement, € 75.00.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration for the 5-day tour is only possible by pre-registration via this site. Registration at the start is no longer possible.

What is special about the 5-day trip is that, just like in previous years, we offer the possibility to spend the night on one of the sleeping ships. The ships follow the same route as the walkers.

We have hired five sleeper ships for 2022: Hydra, In Dubio, Stella Frisia, De Hoop and Avontuur. This gives us a place to sleep for a total of 116 hikers.
The Hydra has 16 sleeping places. There are eight bunk beds in the hold of the ship.
The In Dubio, Stella Frisia and De Hoop have cabins. In total there are three single cabins, 24 double cabins, three triple cabins and ten quadruple cabins.
A special feature of the ship Avontuur is that there are two 'outside cabins'. These are two cabins (with a double bed) that have their own entrance (with a staircase down). These cabins provide privacy, but have the disadvantage that you have to go over the deck to get to the facilities such as toilet and shower.
There are several toilets and showers on all ships (shared use).
The package on one of the sleeping ships includes a start card and meals (5x a hot meal on Monday through Friday and 5x breakfast/lunch package on Tuesday through Saturday).
Because the ships 'sail' to the next finish/start location, you do not need bus transport.

 On April 9, 2022, there are still a few spots available on the sleeping ships. Sign up as soon as possible! You can also be placed on the waiting list via the contact form .

Sleeping on the ships contributes to the unique atmosphere of the 11-Cities Walking Tour. Of course it is also possible to arrange the overnight stays yourself. There is also free transport of your luggage from start to finish.

The stages

Day 1     Leeuwarden – Sloten approx. 49 km

Day 2     Sloten – Workum approx. 44 km

Day 3     Workum – Franeker approx. 42 km

Day 4     Franeker – Dokkum approx. 44 km

Day 5     Dokkum – Leeuwarden approx. 28 km

3-day

The 3-day (or half) tour covers the last 3 stages of the 11-Cities Walking Tour. From Thursday to Saturday, the tour will take you to 6 of the 11 cities. The tour goes from Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker through the vast Bildt and 'around Dokkum'. On Saturday, the festivities in Leeuwarden are at the Prinsentuin and/or at the finish of the 11-Cities Walking Tour in Stadsschouwburg de Harmonie.

The rate for this 3-day walking tour is € 50.00 pp

Costs for bus transport (in the morning from the finish point to the start point): €7.50 per person per day.

In 2022 it will no longer be possible to use bus transport against cash payment. Everyone must order a bus ticket in advance for the days that he/she wants to use our bus transport. You can do this under “Register”.

The stages

Day 3      Workum – Franeker approx. 42 km

Day 4      Franeker – Dokkum approx. 44 km

Day 5      Dokkum – Leeuwarden approx. 28 km

1-day

The 1-day tour is a fun sporting challenge. It is possible to participate in 1 or more stages of the 11-Cities Walking Tour. The average stage distance is about 42 km, the distance of a marathon. It's a nice way to get a taste of the atmosphere of the 11-Cities Walking Tour.

The rate for participating in one of these stages is € 17.50.

Unlike previous years, participation in the one-day tour is only possible with pre-registration. Deadline is Sunday, May 15, 2022.

Costs for bus transport (in the morning from the finish to the start) : €7.50 per person per day.

In 2022 it will no longer be possible to use bus transport against cash payment. Everyone must order a bus ticket in advance for the days that he/she wants to use our bus transport. This can be done at “Register”.

The stages:

Day 1: Leeuwarden – Sloten approx. 49 km

Day 2: Sloten-Workum approx. 44 km

Day 3: Workum – Franeker approx. 42 km

Day 4: Franeker – Dokkum approx. 44 km

Day 5: Dokkum – Leeuwarden approx. 28 km

Frísia, Netherlands
Friese Elfsteden Wandeltochten

PRICES & RESERVATIONS

Friese Elfsteden Wandeltochten

PACKAGES

During the 11-Cities Walking Tour 2022 you can spend the night on one of our sleeping ships. These ships sail along, from city to city. You can book a package for this, including a starter card and meals. You can embark on Monday, so that you can start fresh on Tuesday.

All packages include:

5x overnight stay

5 x breakfast / packed lunch

5 x hot meal (Monday to Friday)

We have hired five sleeper ships for 2022: Hydra, In Dubio, Stella Frisia, De Hoop and Avontuur. This gives us a place to sleep for a total of 116 hikers.
The Hydra has 16 sleeping places. There are eight bunk beds in the hold of the ship.
The other ships have cabins. In total there are three single cabins, 24 double cabins, three triple cabins and ten quadruple cabins.
A special feature of the ship Avontuur is that there are two 'outside cabins'. These are two cabins (with a double bed) that have their own entrance (with a staircase down). These cabins provide privacy, but have the disadvantage that you have to go over the deck to get to the facilities such as toilet and shower.
There are several toilets and showers on all ships (shared use).
The package on one of the sleeping ships includes a start card and meals.
Because the ships 'sail' to the next finish/start location, you do not need bus transport.

The rates for 2022 have been determined as follows:
Package with overnight stay on the Hydra, in one of the outside cabins of Avontuur or in a 3- or 4-person cabin on one of the ships: € 485.00 per person.
Package with overnight stay in a 1- or 2-person cabin: € 525.00 per person.
NB: the rates for the packages are per person (and not per cabin).

BASIC INFORMATION

Friese Elfsteden Wandeltochten

THE 11 CITIES

Leeuwarden

Cultural capital of 2018 and the place where the historic Oldehove and the contemporary Achmea Tower are striking buildings in the skyline of Leeuwarden. Wandering through the Nieuwestad, the shopping center, through the picturesque alleys with small surprising shops and eateries, and the Prinsentuin, you will come across many historic buildings, such as De Waag, the Jacobijnekerk and the Blokhuispoort. The history of famous Dutchmen such as Abe Bonnema and Margaretha Zelle, alias Mata Hari, is also located here.

As the capital of the province of Fryslân, Leeuwarden is also the start and finish of the legendary Tour of Tours, the Frisian Eleven Cities, a tour of more than 200 km along the Frisian 11 cities in which the word perseverance is central. This arose mainly after the tough trip of 1963, in which the weather conditions turned out to be the biggest opponent of the participants.

Sneek

The water sports city par excellence with the Sneekermeer as a base and known for the annual sailing event: the Sneekweek. This is a full week of festivities around a sailing competition in various classes from jol to skûtsje. Like all Frisian cities, Sneek also has its beauties in terms of architectural style. The Waterpoort is the most appealing building here, but we should certainly not forget the characteristic town hall. Sneek as a whole has a beautiful city center with a bustling shopping heart.

IJlst

One of the smaller towns, but no less attractive for that. With the iconic windmill De Rat and the pipe of the skating factory Nooitgedagt, there is a rich history in this town near Sneek. You will find nostalgia in the center when you stand on the pipe and look along the canal with the atmospheric old houses on both sides. Fastest…..I never had that!

Sloten

Striking when you arrive in Sloten; the milk factory and just a little further the inexorable medieval cannon on the stronghold. Just like in IJlst, there is a canal along which the 'trade' used to be brought in and out. To this day, despite the current multimedia, Sloten still has an authentic town crier, a pleasure to be informed about the ups and downs of Sloten and its surroundings…

Stavoren

The southernmost town is located directly behind the dike. A cast iron female statue peers over the IJsselmeer at the harbor. Attached to this statue is a story, a saga about a rich woman, richer than all the merchants of Stavoren put together. Curious? Convince yourself of the beauty of this Lady and this Hanseatic city of yesteryear…

In 1996 the foundations of the former Blokhuis were rediscovered. Around 1530, Charles V had this fortification built to keep the Frisians in check. This disappeared in the city walls around 1580, but on that spot you can now find a tribute in modern materials to this piece of lost history….

Hindeloopen

Recognizable from afar by the striking church tower, the pearl of southwest Fryslân. But also what Hindeloopen produces, Hindelooper pottery with all its beautiful colors. On the lie bank opposite the harbor you will be informed as soon as possible about the ups and downs of Hindeloopen. If you have some time left, a visit to the skating museum, where a wealth of information about the Tour of Tours on skates is exhibited, is definitely worth it.

workum

As the 7th city of the 11 cities, the last city located on the IJsselmeer, but with its own lighthouse! You can sail past this attraction from the IJsselmeer into the canal to Workum, which grew up due to shipbuilding in the past. Nowadays (water) tourism is a major source of income. Kokedei, a large livestock inspection, attracts many farmers, citizens and outsiders to De Merk in the city in September. But the Strontrace, a nostalgic sailing race from Workum to Warmond and vice versa, also makes Workum sparkle. You can admire the creative expressions of painter and draftsman Jopie Huisman all year round. A simple frieze in doings, which has managed to give the simplest things on paper a lively appearance.

Bolsward

Pilgrimage city with a grace statue of Mary in the St. Franciscus Church, in former times lying on the Wadden Sea. Textiles formed an important source of income, which is still recognizable by some striking buildings. Another eye-catching building is the old rococo town hall. In addition to many other beautiful sights, it is also a city with taste. For example, "the roots" of Sonnema Beerenburg lie in this city, but there is also the "Heamiel", a culinary festival after the various harvests in the city center, which attracts a large audience. Sporty Bolsward is characterized by the start and finish on Whit Monday of the Eleven Cities Bicycle Tour, in which approximately 15,000 recreational cyclists cycle past the 11 cities in one day.

Harlingen

City of tub dancers and old folks, but also of trade and industry. From this port city, trade routes were and are maintained, including to Scandinavia, as well as the ferry to the Wadden Islands of Terschelling and Vlieland. Sailors are still being trained at the maritime academy that the city has been rich in since the admiralty settled in Harlingen in the past. In this context, Harlingen annually celebrates the fishing and harbor days, but the HT race and the 2 km sea swimming trip are also attractive maritime festivities. In 2014 Harlingen was even the starting point of the Tall Ships' Races, an event with approximately 150,000 visitors. Harlingen, a prosperous city to this day.

Franeker

The 2nd university city after Leiden and 10th city of the Eleven Cities. Here, Eise Eisenga created “The center of the universe; the planetarium, a cogwheel of stars and planets brought together in a house. In addition, Franeker has more beautiful buildings, including the Dekema House, the old town hall in Renaissance style and the remains of the old stronghold, etcetera…. In addition to these antiquities, Franeker is also the Mecca of the Frisian handball sport, with the Tsjûkelân being the sacred grass of Fryslân during the royal PC, the handball match of the season. Franeker in boppeslach!

Dokkum

Whoever says Dokkum, says turning point. On the one hand, Boniface brought about a turning point in the religious history of the inhabitants of the former Fryslân. Boniface came to Dokkum as a missionary to convert the people to Christianity. After being murdered, this reformer was canonized for his work. On the other hand, as a port city on a spur of the Lauwerszee, Dokkum is the most northerly of the 11 cities. Those who cancel here will return to Bartlehiem on their way to the finish in Leeuwarden. But Dokkum is more than a turning point, of course. In the cozy city center, various buildings recall the heyday of the Admiralty, including the Admiralty House, the old town hall and the Waag. And then there is that story of the Granaet,

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where are the start and the finish?

The tour starts in the 11Stedenhal (Fryslânplein 1 in Leeuwarden) and finishes in the Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie (Ruiterskwartier 4 in Leeuwarden).

What time and where do the daily stages start and end?

It starts from:

  • Tuesday: De 11Stedenhal (the new skating hall), Fryslânplein 1 in Leeuwarden
  • Wednesday: The Dubbelstraat in Sloten
  • Thursday: at Kulturhus, Begine/Panwurk in Workum
  • Friday: The old town hall on the Raadhuisplein in Franeker
  • Saturday: The Zuiderbolwerk (near the Forest Bridge) in Dokkum

The finish is on:

  • Tuesday: The Voorstreek in Sloten
  • Wednesday: De Merk in Workum
  • Thursday: De Breedeplaats in Franeker
  • Friday: at De IJsherberg, Harddraversdijk 1 in Dokkum
  • Saturday: City Theater in Harmonie, Ruiterskwartier in Leeuwarden

Start and finish times :

It starts every day at 07:00.

The finish closes every day at 7 pm (except on Saturdays, when the finish will probably close at 2 pm).

Is it possible to buy a ticket during the start?

No, that is not possible for the 5-day and 3-day walking tour. Participation is only possible after pre-registration (via the website). You must also register via our website to participate in the one-day tour. You can register until Sunday 15 May 2022.

How do I get to the starting point in the morning?

 

You can use our bus service. You must then be present at the finish location of that day early in the morning with your own transport. We will then bring you to the starting point on time. Tickets for the bus can no longer be paid in cash, but must be ordered in advance for the days you want to use it. You can order at “Register”.

These are the departure places and departure times of the buses:

Tuesday

  • Departure no later than 5:45 am : Sloten (finish location), De Lytse Jerden, Wijckelerweg
  • Destination: Elfstedenhal, Fryslânplein 1 Leeuwarden

Wednesday

  • Departure no later than 6.15 am : Workum (finish place) Sporthal De Rolpeal
  • Destination: Sloten (starting place) Parking Lytse Jerden, Wyckelerweg

Thursday   

  • Departure no later than 06.00 am: Franeker (finish place) sports hall De Trije, Jan Roedenhuisplein
  • Destination: Workum (starting place) Brand/Begine

Friday 

  • Departure no later than 06.00 am : Dokkum (finish location) Kalkhuisplein/Harddraversdijk
  • Destination: Franeker (starting place) Via Voorstraat (starting place Martenahuis)

Saturday

  • Departure at the latest 06.00 hrs : Leeuwarden (finish location) 11Stedenhal)
  • Destination: Strobosserweg (opposite Hotel van der Meer, before the bridge)

Where can I park?

 

If you participate in the 5-day tour, you can park your car at 11Stedenhal (Fryslânplein 1, Leeuwarden). We request that you park as far as possible from the entrance, so that regular visitors to the 11Stedenhal can reach it more easily.

Do I get my registration fee back in case of cancellation?

 

In the event of cancellations on your part, the organization cannot grant a refund of the registration fee if it cannot fill the vacant place with someone from the waiting list. If she can, then a refund will be made. In the event of an unexpected cancellation by the organization, a refund of part of the registration fee is only possible if the financial situation of the tour, after deduction of the costs incurred by the organization, allows this.

Are there any tips for arranging overnight stays yourself?

 

There are many B&Bs along the route that you can book. You can also go camping. You will then drive to the finish location every morning. Buses run from the finish to the start location (see other FAQ). We can heartily recommend De Domp campsite in Sneek. You can do the same with a hotel.

What do I do with my luggage if I arrange my overnight stay myself?

 

You can place your luggage in the appropriate Titan trailer at the start in the morning. In the afternoon you can remove the luggage from the trailer again. This luggage transport is free.

How can I apply for the certificate?

 

If you have successfully completed both the 11-Cities Walking Tour, Cycling Eleven Cities Tour (not the winter tour) and the Elfsteden Tour on skates, you are eligible for the certificate. The certificate is awarded once a year by the King's Commissioner of the province of Fryslân. Would you like to receive the certificate?

Download the application form here  , fill it in and send it to us (the address is on the form).

How can I request a certificate?

 

When you have completed the five day stages of the 11-Cities Walking Tour in different years, you can request a certificate. You can request the certificate by sending an email to: info@elfstedenwandeltocht.nl

What do you do with my personal data?

 

Read our privacy statement for this .

How can I sign up as a volunteer?

 

Send an email with your contact details to: info@elfstedenwandeltocht.nl

VIDEO

Friese Elfsteden Wandeltochten