Monk's Hike
Along the vanished monasteries of Northeast Friesland
Once, Friesland was teeming with monasteries. Particularly in Northeast Friesland, they were found everywhere, and at their peak, monasteries owned no less than 20% of Frisian land. The monks and nuns not only prayed but also worked on peat reclamation and took the initiative for the construction of dikes, polders, canals, and sluices.
Nowadays, little remains of the former monastic life.
In 1580, the monasteries were expropriated and demolished, and many stones were reused for other buildings.
But if you look closely, you can still discover traces: centuries-old church paths, historic sluices, and dikes that were once built by monks.
How fun is it to discover this hidden history yourself?
Hop on your bike, follow ancient monastery paths, and enjoy the beautiful Frisian landscape along the way!
 
In Veenklooster – you guessed it – there was also a monastery;
Mons Olivetti, the Olive Mountain.
The site of this former convent of nuns is the starting point of our journeys.

Are you biking with us??

You can bike the routes at your own convenience starting June 7, 2025.

The routes in RouteYou contain information about all the interesting points you pass along the way and where history lies from the monastic era.

The route can be cycled in one go as a total route of nearly 150 km, but it can also be done in 3 separate routes.

Full route 150 km: https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/route/view/15031541

South route 65 km: https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/route/view/15850277

North-West route 77 km: https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/route/view/15850282

North-East route 57 km: https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/route/view/15850336