Ferry De Grietman

Between De Veenhoop and the Hooidammen lies the water of the Wide Ee / Grietmansrak.
During the season, from 1 April to 1 October, the Grietman ferry ferries cyclists and pedestrians across this part of the Alde Feanen National Park.
The ferry sails daily from 10:00 - 20:00 and the crossing costs € 1.50.

The skippers of the Grietman sail to the other side and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The wide water, the recreational boats and the cheerful people enjoying a drink on the terrace of Hotel Restaurant Ie-Sicht. Most people who use the ferry are out for a day, just cycling or walking, at ease and enjoying! The crossing takes an average of 2.5 minutes. But this does depend on a number of factors. When the weather is nice, the skippers often sail more calmly. People can then take pictures and enjoy the crossing. In case of bad weather, you prefer to get to the other side as quickly as possible. Even when it is very busy and there are queues, we sail faster. You don't want to leave people standing longer than necessary.

Menno is one of the four skippers at 'De Grietman' and has been working there for 4 years now. In contrast to his predecessor Jetze Feenstra, that has not been the case for very long. He was skipper on 'De Grietman' for 25 years and retired. Menno then took over his baton. But when we hear Menno talk and see with how much passion he brings people to the other side, we think he will have a few more years. The ferry is part of beautiful cycling routes, including 'the 8 of Grou'. 'It's always very busy, especially on Sundays,' says Menno. 'Now with the corona measures, there are no events, but during the Skûtsjesilen and the Veenhoop festival, a lot of people use it. With the Veenhoop Festival, we even sail at night.' Nevertheless, the number of visitors has not decreased since the corona crisis. On the contrary, it has become busier. Normally, the number of visitors was around 34,000 per year. In 2020, this number was 40,000, while the ferry only started sailing later in the season (June). Menno expects to handle over 40,000 passengers in 2021.

The ferry was built by the Akerboom brothers in 1957 in Oegstgeest. The ferry then sailed on the Zaan and was called 'De Ruiterveer' at the time. Later, the ferry also sailed to the starting island in Sneek. Since 1982, the ferry has been in the possession of the municipality of Smallingerland and the ferry has been renovated. In 1983 the ferry started at its current location in the Veenhoop under the name De Grietman.

On the side of Oudega Smallingerland there is a restaurant next to the ferry: Hotel restaurant Ie Sicht. But there is also catering in De Veenhoop across the street: it Polderhus
Please note: due to corona measures, the ferry may not sail and if it does sail, the 1.5 meter distance applies due to the coronavirus. As a result, passengers may sometimes have to wait a little longer.
For the transfer of groups outside the regular sailing hours: tel.06 57991511

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