As early as the sixteenth century, work began on a network of waterways along which peat barge captains transported their cargo to the western part of the country. The Peat Route follows these waterways through Southeast Friesland, the western part of Drenthe, and the northern tip of Overijssel.
For motor yachts with a maximum clearance height of 3.30 meters. This route is not suitable for beginners.
Terherne, Akkrum, Oldeboarn, Gorredijk, Donkerbroek, Oosterwolde, Olderberkoop, Echtenerbrug, Scharsterbrug, Langweer, Joure, Terherne.
| Van | Naar | Afstand | Tijd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terherne | Akkrum | 3.3 km | 25 min |
| Akkrum | Oldeboarn | 7.6 km | 50 min |
| Oldeboarn | Gorredijk | 14.6 km | 150 min |
| Gorredijk | Donkerbroek | 17 km | 120 min |
| Donkerbroek | Oosterwolde | 5.1 km | 40 min |
| Oosterwolde | Oldeberkoop | 15.1 km | 180 min |
| Oldeberkoop | Echtener Bridge | 26.7 km | 180 min |
| Echtener Bridge | Skarster Bridge | 10 km | 70 min |
| Skarster Bridge | Langweer | 5.1 km | 35 min |
| Langweer | Joure | 5.7 km | 40 min |
| Joure | Terherne | 11.1 km | 75 min |
The Linthorst Homansluis and the nearby Driewegsluis connect to the waterways of Northwest Overijssel. To ensure smooth passage, there are no interruptions in the operation of the Linthorst Homansluis for five to six weeks during the high season. This allows you to sail through smoothly from Lake Tjeukemeer as well as from Wolvega and Heerenveen. Driewegsluis is a beautiful spot for a stop. Enjoy the panoramic view or explore the Brande Meer nature reserve. From the boat, you can also easily walk into the Rottige Meenthe nature reserve.
Nature beckons in other places as well. You can enjoy endless hiking and biking in the Drents-Friese Wold near Appelscha, the forests around Oranjewoud, and the Dellebuursterheide Nature Reserve, close to Oldeberkoop. A little further on lies the Katlijker Schar, a beautiful wooded area where Scottish Highland cattle graze.
The Turfroute passes many bridges and locks, often featuring beautiful lockkeeper’s houses. You operate many of the small bridges yourself, while lockkeepers are on hand to assist you at the larger bridges. To help maintain the Turfroute, you can purchase an admission ticket for 15 euros at the lock in Gorredijk, the Damsluis near Appelscha, and Sluis I near Oudehorne. The route is accessible to boats up to 28 meters in length, 5 meters in width, and 3.30 meters in height, with a maximum draft of 1.30 meters.
The other side of Fryslân, with forests, peat colonies, and heathlands: that’s the southeastern corner of the province. The Turfroute connects this area with West Drenthe and the northern tip of Overijssel.
In addition, you’ll pass through no fewer than four beautiful national parks: the Drents-Friese Wold, the Dwingelderveld, the Alde Feanen, and the Weerribben. The route’s name refers to the history of noblemen, peat barons, and poor peat diggers. The peat trade made several prominent Frisian families incredibly wealthy. Their legacy—estates with beautiful gardens and parks—can be found in places such as Bakkeveen, Oldeberkoop, Beetsterzwaag, and Oranjewoud.
The “Short Turfroute” takes you on a roughly 70-kilometer cruise through southeastern Friesland. The trip starts on the Opsterlandsche Compagnonsvaart in Appelscha, a thriving recreational village home to the Duinen Zathe amusement park, the Friesland Miniature Golf Park, and the historic cooking museum De Vleer. Appelscha is located near the Drents-Friese Wold, the second-largest nature reserve in the Netherlands. On the other side of the canal lies the unique Fochteloërveen, a Frisian savanna and home to cranes, grebes, and adders.
As you cruise toward Gorredijk, you can see the distinguished Bakkeveen in the distance. At the Bakkeveenster Dunes, a modern observation tower offers magnificent views. On the way to Gorredijk, the forests along the water stretch all the way to the chic town of Beetsterzwaag. In the heart of Gorredijk, a typical peat colony village, lies the first and largest lock on the Turfroute. If you stop here, you can relax at the Thermen Saunastate or visit the Opsterlân Regional Museum. Continuing through the meadows, you’ll see the striking “Boarnster Toer” of Aldeboarn in the distance. Shortly afterward, you’ll enter the water sports village of Akkrum. From there, the route runs via Heerenveen across the Tjonger to the stately Oldeberkoop. A few beautiful villas and Het Molenbosch Park hint at its “distinguished” history.
Back in Appelscha, it is possible to continue sailing and cross the provincial border into the Drentse Hoofdvaart. We sail through an old esdorp landscape to Meppel. Via the watersports town of Zwartsluis, we head north towards Steenwijk, passing picturesque Giethoorn along the way. Further on lies the water-rich nature reserve of De Weerribben, where the otter feels at home once again. From Ossenzijl, there is a connection to the northern part of the Turf Route.
Downloads: Map of the Turf Route
View: Map of the Turfroute in Google Maps
