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The West Frisian Omringdijk winds its way around West Frisia. 126 kilometres of dyke, villages, water and open countryside. The dyke runs via Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Alkmaar, Schagen, Medemblik and back to Enkhuizen.
That dyke isn’t just there for show. For centuries, Westfriesland was threatened by water from various directions. The former Zuiderzee, in particular, made its presence felt on a regular basis. Generations of West Frisians therefore worked on dykes to keep the land dry. The Omringdijk remains the great, meandering testament to this to this day.
You can discover it on foot, by bike or by making individual stops along the way. From ‘ Hoorn ’ to ‘ Enkhuizen ’ and from ‘ Medemblik ’ to the polder: everywhere you look, you can see how water and land have shaped Westfriesland. You’ll cycle with the Markermeer by your side. Walk past reeds, thatched cottages and old harbours. And sometimes you’ll simply pause for a moment at the top of the dyke. After all, you don’t have to do the whole circuit in one go. Choose a section, pick a spot to rest and set off.
This is how you really get to know Westfriesland: with water on one side and green countryside on the other.
Quick links:
Cycling along the Omringdijk
The Tour of the West Frisian Omringdijk
Walking along the Omringdijk
West Frisian Omringdijk Regional Trail
A good meal really does lift your spirits
Why not stay the night?
Towns along the West Frisian Omringdijk
Fancy a proper cycle? Then tackle the 143-kilometre West Frisian Omringdijk route. This ride will take you about ten hours, so we recommend turning it into a multi-day trip. That way, you’ll still have some time left over for a coffee.
You start at Enkhuizen. Shortly afterwards, there’s a long stretch along the Markermeer. Eventually, you’ll reach Hoorn. Passing through various villages, you continue your route to Alkmaar. You then cycle through several villages before eventually turning back towards Enkhuizen.
Not up for 143 kilometres? Quite right. Starting from Enkhuizen , there’s also a 31-kilometre loop waiting for you. You’ll cycle via Lutjebroek and Westwoud to Venhuizen. Then you’ll take the Zuiderdijk along the water back to Enkhuizen. Along the way, you’ll come across meadows, villages and stalls selling local produce.
Follow the junctions: 30 – 27 – 48 – 49 – 83 – 82 – 66 – 11 – 10 – 47 – 28 – 12 – 92.
Fancy some water, harbours and three West Frisian towns? Then take this stage of the LF Zuiderzee Route.
The route runs from Hoorn to Medemblik and is 49 kilometres long. Along the way, you’ll pass Enkhuizen and various sections of the West Frisian Omringdijk. De Ven Lighthouse is also on this stage.
You can also cover a good stretch of the dyke from ‘ Medemblik ’. To do this, follow a 50-kilometre cycle route.
Starting from the Bakery Museum in Medemblik , cycle through the West Frisian countryside and along the IJsselmeer towards Enkhuizen. Here, round off your day with a portion of freshly fried kibbeling at Vishandel van der Veen.
Four days of cycling through Westfriesland? That’s possible too. During the Fiets4Daagse Hoorn , cyclists set off from Hoorn on various routes through the region. This year, the Westfriesland route was on the programme for the final day, a large part of which ran along the Omringdijk. You can choose from a range of distances: these are usually routes of 30, 50 and 70 kilometres. You can also join in for just one day.
Keep an eye on the website for the exact dates in 2027.
Don’t fancy figuring out the junction points yourself? Then the Tour of the West Frisian Omringdijk is a great option. This organised tour takes place every year in July and starts from Alkmaar, Enkhuizen or Hoorn. You can choose from 50, 80 or 135 kilometres. Along the way, you’ll cycle past water, open countryside and old dyke villages. But there are also culinary and cultural stops along the route.
The shorter 50-kilometre route is ideal if you want to cover a good stretch of the dyke without immediately burning your leg muscles. The 80-kilometre route is for those who want to cycle for longer, with more villages, sections of dyke and places to stop along the way. The 135-kilometre route is the full works: it’s not called ‘De Grôte Daikboekel’ for nothing. This route takes you all the way round the Omringdijk. It’s lovely, but you’ll need to sit in for a while. On your saddle, that is.
Read more about the event
The first stage of the Streekpad starts at Hoorn and initially follows the dyke along the Markermeer. You then head into the countryside.
As you head towards the Mijzen polder, the landscape changes. Here, water and narrow strips of land alternate. After 17 kilometres, the stage ends in Ursem, at a bend in the Omringdijk. Time for a treat.
Stage six runs from Medemblik to Enkhuizen. At 23.9 kilometres, this is the longest stage of the Streekpad.
You’ll have views of the IJsselmeer throughout the entire stage. A lovely route for anyone who loves dykes, water and a good long walk. And for those who like to feel they’ve earned their coffee afterwards.
This stage is full of beautiful views. From typical West Frisian houses along the dyke to sailing boats on the Markermeer.
At 13 kilometres, this is the shortest day walk. It’s therefore ideal for walkers who like to take a little extra time for a break along the way and a drink afterwards.
The West Frisian Omringdijk is a regional walking route that circles historic West Frisia, from Hoorn, past Alkmaar, Schagen, Medemblik, Enkhuizen and then back to Hoorn. The Westfriese Omringdijk Regional Trail is divided into eight day walks, also known as stages, and you will find yellow and red markings in both directions.
Stage 1: Hoorn – Ursem, 17.0 km
Stage 2: Ursem – Alkmaar, 16.7 km
Stage 3: Alkmaar – Eenigenburg, 18.0 km
Stage 4: Eenigenburg – Kolhorn, 22.0 km
Stage 5: Kolhorn – Medemblik, 20.6 km
Stage 6: Medemblik – Enkhuizen, 23.9 km
Stage 7: Enkhuizen – Wijdenes, 15.4 km
Stage 8: Wijdenes – Hoorn, 13.3 km
Walk the Streekpad
It’s in a really convenient location: right on the West Frisian Omringdijk in Oudendijk.
Les Deux Ponts is a starting point and hub for walking, cycling and boating trips. You can pop in for coffee, lunch, drinks or dinner. From the terrace, you can look out over the Beemsterringvaart and the polder.
Are you passing through Hoorn? Then the old harbour is a natural place to stop for a break. The harbour is also a lovely spot to stop off whilst cycling along the Omringdijk Route.
Restaurant De Hoofdtoren is situated on the Hoofd, right in the heart of the historic harbour area. It’s open for lunch and dinner.
The Rijksmagazijn is situated between Twee Havens. The name pretty much gives the location away.
From the terrace, you can look out over the water, the harbours and the embankment of the West Frisian Omringdijk. You can pop in for coffee, cakes, lunch, drinks, tapas and dinner.
When you arrive in Medemblik , you can cycle on towards the harbour for a break.
MED Trattoria is situated in the Regatta Centre on the Vooroever. The restaurant overlooks the IJsselmeer and has the harbour right on its doorstep. It isn’t literally on every Omringdijk route, but it is certainly a logical stop if you’re following the ‘ Medemblik ’ route.
It’s hard to get any closer to the dyke than this. De Appelhoek is situated at the foot of the West Frisian Omringdijk in Wijdenes. The Markermeer is right on your doorstep. You can go camping, book an apartment or stay in a B&B. The accommodation is also situated directly on the LF Zuiderzee Route.
Book your stay
Here, only the West Frisian Omringdijk lies between your cottage and the Markermeer. The detached hotel cottages are situated in Oosterleek, between Hoorn and Enkhuizen. Would you like to cycle again the next morning? Then you can easily book a bike in advance.
Staying in the countryside
At Enkhuizen , you can stay overnight in a listed building right in the heart of the city. ‘Die Port van Cleve’ is situated by the harbour, at Dijk 74–76. This is handy if you’re splitting the 143-kilometre route over several days.
Stay right in the heart of Enkhuizen
Sleeping in a church? In ‘ Hoorn ’, it’s perfectly possible. Heavens Hotel is situated in the Grote Kerk, right in the centre of Hoorn. From here, it’s just a short walk to the harbour and the starting point for various routes along the Omringdijk. Handy if your route begins or ends in Hoorn .
Discover Heavens Hotel
EuroParcs IJsselmeer is situated close to the IJsselmeer and the Omringdijk. From the park, you can walk or cycle along the water’s edge towards Medemblik. It’s a great base if you want to explore the Omringdijk over several days.
View the holiday cottages
In Medemblik , the harbour, Radboud Castle and the Omringdijk are all close together. Just outside the town is the Steam Engine Museum. Here you can really see just how much work it actually takes to keep your feet dry.
In ‘ Enkhuizen ’, the water is never far away. Harbours, Drommedaris and then back up onto the dyke. To the north of the town lies De Ven Lighthouse.
Start at the old harbour and head up the dyke along the Markermeer. The town, harbour and open water are all close together here.
On the northern side of the route, you’ll pass through Aartswoud. Here, the landscape becomes much more rural, with open countryside and green villages.
Between Hoorn and Enkhuizen , the Omringdijk is known as the Zuiderdijk. Here, the Zuiderdijk runs past places such as Schellinkhout, Wijdenes and Oosterleek. Water on the outside. Villages and countryside on the inside.
At Broekerhaven, the Omringdijk passes Stede Broec. From here, you can head towards Enkhuizen or, alternatively, westwards along the Zuiderdijk.
The Omringdijk runs through Koggenland via Oudendijk and Ursem. You won’t see the IJsselmeer here for a while. But there are plenty of polders.
The West Frisian Omringdijk itself is over 126 kilometres long. The marked cycling and walking routes may be slightly longer, as they include additional stops.
Absolutely. Fancy cycling it yourself? The West Frisian Omringdijk route is over 143 kilometres long. Prefer not to navigate the junction points yourself? The organised Tour of the West Frisian Omringdijk also features a 135-kilometre route around the entire Omringdijk.
Yes, to do this you’ll be walking the West Frisian Omringdijk Regional Trail. The trail is divided into eight day walks and covers a total of around 150 kilometres.
Right on or near the dyke, you’ll find places such as Les Deux Ponts in Oudendijk, Rijksmagazijn in Enkhuizen and Theetuin De Libel in Andijk. In the harbour towns of Hoorn and Medemblik , you’ll also find plenty of places to stop for a longer break.
Discover more great places to eat and drink in Westfriesland.