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The Fryske Fersepaad runs from Bolsward to Iens, or vice versa. It’s an 11-kilometre one-way cycle route passing 25 panels featuring Frisian poems.

Right at the start of the route, you’ll pass—quite appropriately—Wipstraat 6 in Bolsward, the birthplace of Gysbert Japicx (1603–1666). Japicx is Friesland’s most famous poet. Find out more about him at the De Tiid Cultural History Centre. Then follow the Bolsward city canal north. Along the way, you’ll cross the historic Slachtedyk and can visit several museums and churches.

Following the towpath along the Leeuwardervaart and Bolswardertrekvaart, you’ll pass through the small village of Burgwerd and, via Wommels, reach your final destination, Iens. Iens is a tiny village with just 50 residents, who live around the church on Van Burmaniawei.

The poems were written by well-known Frisian poets such as Tjits Peanstra, Waling Dijkstra, Obe Postma and many others. Between Burgwerd and Wommels, you’ll need to take the inner towpath to find the three poems in the Aylvapolder.

Towpath
The paths you’ll follow alongside the canals are also known as towpaths. They’re a typical feature dating back to the seventeenth century. These beautiful, narrow paths along the waterways were then used to pull boats along. This was known as “jagen” (literally, “chasing”) at the time. They were the highways of their day.

The Greidhoek
This route is not a loop. You can retrace your steps or take a detour back to Bolsward, as there are plenty of other lovely paths in the area. The Greidhoeke (the pastureland you’ll travel through) is known for its expansive meadows and historic terp villages. You can also walk this route. Just follow the cycling route markers.