Churches from two different periods, traces of the railway and cycling connections with water crossings give Hijum several specific points of interest. You can explore these themes separately during your stay: the churches reveal different eras through their architectural styles, while the routes connect Hijum with Stiens and Hegebeintum. The picture is completed by a former railway station building, two railway crossing barriers and a bridge over the Hijumervaart. This makes it possible to discover the village through its architectural history, railway history or cycling routes with a ferry.
Churches from the Middle Ages to the 19th century
On the edge of Hijum, the Sint Nicolaaskerk stands on a mound that has been largely levelled. The Romanesque church dates from the 12th century. Its location connects the religious building with the shape of the landscape; its date also provides a clear point of reference for the history of the village. A visit to the Sint Nicolaaskerk requires collecting a key from the Plaatselijke Commissie, which manages the church. Before your visit, check whether the church can currently be visited and how key collection is arranged.
The Bethelkerk offers a different architectural style. It is a T-shaped church dating from 1877, with Neo-Gothic details. On the building, a façade tower rises into a slender wooden roof turret set at an angle. The two churches therefore offer a comparison between a Romanesque church from the 12th century and a 19th-century building with a T-shaped plan and Neo-Gothic details. If you are interested in church architecture, their different forms and dates provide a specific point of comparison.
Cycling routes with different destinations
The Iisbaankeunstrûte runs between Hijum and Stiens via the Wynser oerset, a bicycle ferry across the Dokkumer Ee. Check the ferry’s operating details before setting out. One stop on the route is Hijum’s ice rink, where you can see a painting by Hendrik Elings. The route thus connects two different points of interest: the crossing over the Dokkumer Ee and a stop to see a painting.
An alternative route between Hijum and Hegebeintum is intended to be used during the breeding season, from 15 March to 15 July. The two connections can first be distinguished by their destinations; the route to Hegebeintum also has the stated seasonal period. Before setting off, also check the local route conditions. This lets you choose a route based on your destination and the seasonal guidance.
Railway history and water crossings
The former railway station building still stands at De Loane 5. Two railway crossing barriers recall Hijum’s railway history. The building and the barriers offer different points of interest: the former station building is still there, while the barriers specifically serve as reminders of the village’s history. These tangible railway traces provide another historical perspective alongside the churches.
The Mariëngaarderbrug crosses the Hijumervaart. It differs from the Wynser oerset, a bicycle ferry across the Dokkumer Ee: here, a named bridge is set apart from a ferry connection that forms part of the route to Stiens. This distinction is useful when considering the water crossings: the bridge crosses the Hijumervaart, while the ferry crosses the Dokkumer Ee and is connected to a cycling route.
Discover more destinations: Jelsum, Feinsum, Stiens
Go to the main travel overview: Leeuwarderadeel.
