The flat landscape with its many sceneries is the ideal condition for a varied and relaxed holiday at the coast and inland.
Start and end point of the 280-kilometer route is Wilhelmshaven, the naval and harbor city on the Jade Bight. The total of six stages with lengths between 30 and 60 km each have their own charm. Nature lovers enjoy the diversity of the Frisian landscape, which repeatedly shows new faces from marsh, geest, and moor to the beaches at the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea. Historic buildings such as churches, mills, and castles fascinate culturally interested cyclists and invite you to take a break along the route. But no one is left wanting gastronomically on the Tour de Fries either. The legendary rhubarb cake in Dangast should not be missed, nor a freshly tapped Jever Pils. And fresh fish is, of course, also high on the menus in the region.
Good to know
Best to visit
Directions
The route is consistently marked with the blue-yellow-green logo. The plaques are inserted into the arm direction signs with the green/white destination signs.
Stage 1 Wilhelmshaven - Varel (approx. 55 km)
Wilhelmshaven - Sande - Zetel - Varel
Stage 2 Varel - Bockhorn (approx. 50 km)
Varel - Westerstede - Bockhorn
Stage 3 Bockhorn - Friedeburg (approx. 45 km)
Bockhorn - Neuenburg - Wiesmoor - Friedeburg
Stage 4 Friedeburg – Carolinensiel (approx. 41 km)
Friedeburg - Wittmund - Carolinensiel
Stage 5 Carolinensiel - Jever (approx. 49 km)
Carolinensiel - Jever
Stage 6 Jever – Wilhelmshaven (approx. 35 km)
Jever - Schortens - Wilhelmshaven
Equipment
No special equipment is required!
Directions & Parking facilities
Coming from the east: via Bremen - A28 towards Oldenburg - A29 towards Wilhelmshaven
Coming from the south: via A31 towards Leer - A28 towards Oldenburg - exit 2 Leer-Ost onto B436 towards Hesel - via B72/B436 to Wiesmoor - via A436 further to Friedeburg and Sande - A29 towards Wilhelmshaven
Alternatively coming from the south: via A1 via Osnabrück towards Oldenburg - at the Ahlhorner Heide triangle onto A29 towards Oldenburg - Wilhelmshaven is located at the northern end of A29
Train: You can conveniently reach Wilhelmshaven main station from Oldenburg (Oldb) main station with the Nordwestbahn. Information about taking bicycles can be found here.
Long-distance bus: There are long-distance bus connections from numerous German cities where bicycle transport is possible subject to availability.
Additional information
Further information about the Tour de Fries can be found on the website of the Friesland Tourism Association.
Website of the Wilhelmshaven Tourism & Leisure GmbH
Website of the Municipality of Sande
Website of the Municipality of Zetel
Website of the Dangast Tourism Office
Website of the Wangerland Tourism GmbH
Website of the City of Jever
Website of the City of Schortens
Literature
The free route guide is available via the brochure order at the Friesland Tourism Association.
License (master data)
Michael Wessel
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
Stage 1: Wilhelmshaven - Varel (approx. 55km)
The romantic moated castle Gödens and the small village Neustadtgödens are beautiful photo motifs and invite you to take a short break. Zetel in the Frisian Wehde is the perfect place for nature lovers with its marsh, geest, and moor landscapes. In the artist village Dangast, small galleries invite you to browse. The delicious rhubarb cake in the old spa house should definitely not be missed.
Stage 2: Varel - Bockhorn (approx. 50km)
A visit to the Rhododendron Park Linswege is especially worthwhile during the blooming season. In Bockhorn, the typical Frisian St. Cosmas and Damian Church, built around 1200 from glacial erratics and housing an organ by the well-known organ builder Christian Vater from 1720, invites you to visit.
Stage 3: Bockhorn - Friedeburg (approx. 45km)
You enter a primeval forest! The route leads through the Neuenburg primeval forest, an almost 50-hectare nature reserve in the Frisian Wehde. Flower and plant enthusiasts should plan a little more time in the flower town of Wiesmoor. An original photo motif in Friedeburg: the place-name signs of Friedeburg’s districts Russland and Amerika!
Stage 4 Friedeburg – Carolinensiel (approx. 41 km)
From Friedeburg, the route goes again towards the Ems-Jade Canal. After crossing the watermill bridge, the route leads through the typical hedgerow landscape towards Reepsholt with the St. Mauritius Church, then to Leerhafe and through the East Frisian town Wittmund. In the town center of Wittmund you can find the Hands of Fame. Modeled after Hollywood, there are numerous celebrity handprints here. If you have some time, you should register for the East Frisian Abitur at the tourist information. Only in Wittmund can guests prove their skills in typically East Frisian abilities and earn an Abitur certificate. The stage continues from the town of Wittmund through the villages of Rosental and Altfunnixsiel to the Harle River. Following this, the “Tour de Fries” reaches Carolinensiel.
Stage 5 Carolinensiel - Jever (approx. 49 km)
From Carolinensiel, the route leads to Harlesiel directly on the North Sea. Parallel to the North Sea and through the Wangerland, this stage passes through the quiet coastal resort Minsen-Förrien. From there, the route leads again to the North Sea coast and towards Horumersiel-Schillig. In Schillig, the wide sandy beach with its dunes, passing cutters, sailing and container ships, and kite surfers offers much to see. Horumersiel, on the other hand, has a charming town center and a beach with extensive green areas. In Horumersiel, you can enjoy the sea without sand in your clothes. Passing the outer harbor and along the Wangertief and the North Sea, the “Tour de Fries” leads to the North Sea spa Hooksiel. Here, a detour to the Hooksiel outer harbor and the Hooksiel inland water is worthwhile. The historic town center with its listed “Old Harbor” invites you to make a stop. The “Tour de Fries” leads from Hooksiel through meadows and fields to Jever. The Friesian town is especially known for the beer of the same name. Besides the brewery, Jever also has much to offer culturally. On a walk through the picturesque old town, past numerous fountains and the castle of Jever with its castle park, you can experience Frisian calmness.
Stage 6: Jever - Wilhelmshaven (approx. 35km)
The Accum mill is a beautiful photo motif. On weekends from April to September, the mill is operated on baking days. An ideal place for a break with freshly baked cake! In Wilhelmshaven, the museums of the Maritime Mile invite you to visit, or you can set sail for a harbor tour. The landmark of the city is the Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge, which connects the south beach with the south town.
Safety guidelines
The Tour de Fries can be ridden without special safety precautions.
Map
The Friesland holiday card is available free of charge via the brochure order at the Friesland Tourism Association.
Nearby
