Hijum: Churches, Cycling Route and Railway Heritage

For a stay in Hijum, churches, railway heritage and a cycling route offer different points of interest. You can shape your trip around architectural history, local history or a bike ride. The Mariëngaarderbrug, which crosses the Hijumervaart, is another specifically named structure. The following places and information can be considered according to their respective themes: the churches represent different building periods, while railway remnants recall the history of the railway and the cycling route includes specific waypoints and a ferry.

Churches and architectural history

On the edge of Hijum, the Sint Nicolaaskerk stands on a terp that has been largely levelled. The site and the terp shape the description of the building. As a Romanesque church dating from the 12th century, it offers an early point of reference for exploring Hijum’s architecture. Its date clearly distinguishes it from the later Bethelkerk.

The Bethelkerk dates from 1877 and has a T-shaped design and Neo-Gothic details. Particularly striking are the façade tower and the slender wooden roof turret set diagonally at the corner. This places two churches with different architectural forms and dates side by side in Hijum: the Romanesque church from the 12th century and the Bethelkerk from 1877 with its Neo-Gothic details. If you are interested in architecture, you can use these differences as a guide to exploring the village’s architectural history.

Cycling and waypoints

The Iisbaankeunstrûte between Hijum and Stiens crosses the Wynser oerset, a bicycle ferry across the Dokkumer Ee. Check the ferry’s operating details before setting out, and take the crossing into account when planning your route. This lets you keep the key stretch in mind before you set off.

One stop on the Iisbaankeunstrûte is the ice rink in Hijum. A painting by Hendrik Elings can be seen there. This stop adds a cultural point of interest to the route. When deciding what to focus on, you can include not only the bike ride but also a specific place with a work of art.

There is a seasonal note for the alternative route between Hijum and Hegebeintum: it is intended to be used during the breeding season, from 15 March to 15 July. Check local path conditions before setting off. For your planning, this means that the season matters for this alternative; on the Iisbaankeunstrûte, you should check the bicycle ferry’s operating details. These two notes give you different points to plan for before a bike ride.

Traces of the railway

The history of the railway can also be traced through specific remnants. The former station building at De Loane 5 is still standing and points to the area’s former railway connections. In addition, two railway barriers in Hijum recall the village’s railway history. The building and barriers offer different points of interest: the preserved former station building on the one hand, and the railway barriers as reminders on the other. The railway thus adds a theme clearly distinct from church architecture and the cycling route.

Find a hotel for your stay

Then tailor your hotel search to your own requirements. If a bike ride is part of your plans, also factor the seasonal recommendation for the alternative route or the ferry’s operating details into your travel planning.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Jelsum, Feinsum, Stiens.

Go to the main travel overview: Leeuwarderadeel.