Holland Cyclist's Paradise Tour
If you like traffic-free cycling and you even fancy a cycling holiday overseas there is only one destination that will make you feel completely relaxed on your bike. The Netherlands is not only flat, it is also well known for its extensive network of more than 25,000 miles(*) of traffic-free cycle routes, most of them in spotless condition. It is great to explore this country beyond the clichés of Amsterdam, clogs and windmills; you won't be disappointed!
The Dutch coast is well preserved with great sandy beaches and sand dune reserves, with plenty of traffic-free cycle routes. Inland you'll find hundreds of quiet country lanes and cycle paths. The routes along the old waterways are particularly scenic. A lot of these routes were originally tow paths and guide you without any traffic worries to historic town centres like Edam and Gouda. In the east of the country you'll find some great cycling opportunities in the moors and forests of the Veluwe and the Drente provinces.
Cycling in The Netherlands is not only ideal for novice cyclists and people with children, but also for the active cyclist who is keen to do some serious mileage. With ferries departing from Harwich and Hull the country is also extremely easy to get to from the UK! The only back drop is that most information about cycling in The Netherlands is only available in Dutch language, which can make it difficult for you to find out where to go.
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This is where EOS Cycling Holidays comes into the story. We not only know the best routes available, we are also one of the few who are able to relate to the UK cyclist. We can help you to understand Dutch traffic cycling rules (these are very different on some points), which will make you safer and happier while being on your bike in The Netherlands. Also, the apparently complex Dutch cycle route signing is much more fun if you understand what the different route numbers are all about. We have put all this information together in our Guide to cycling in The Netherlands for UK visitors which you can order from us for only £5.
We also offer to share our knowledge of the best available cycling routes in The Netherlands. We have a booklet available (in English!) with a circular route from Hook of Holland (accessible by the Harwich ferry). This is our Holland Cyclists's Paradise Tour, of which you will find an itinerary by scrolling down this page. The "full circle" is probably only appealing to keen cyclists, but if you are a novice cyclist or cycling with children you can also easily use just part of the route, splitting up the day distances into smaller sections. Tourist information and accommodation suggestions are also included in this booklet, which we offer for only £20. Note we are also happy to offer this route for groups as a guided tour. Please contact us if you are interested.
For those who want to go beyond the suggestions above we can offer tailor-made cycling holiday advice. So if you wonder what cycling is like in Zeeland, Friesland, Drente or around the IJsselmeer, get in touch with us. We can supply you with the right maps for the area and even with a full itinerary, complete with accommodation suggestions. You can send your requirements by email or discuss these by phone. Prices for this service are as follows:
Tailor-made cycling holiday advice - basic: £25
This service provides you with Dutch cycling maps of the area you require on which we will highlight our recommended routes. Besides our handling fee we also charge for the maps we ordered on your behalf. You'll receive our booklet "Guide to cycling in The Netherlands for UK visitors" (see above) for free.
Tailor-made cycling holiday advice - extended: £60
This service provides you with Dutch cycling maps of the area you require on which we will highlight our recommended routes. We'll also provide you with a full itinerary of your proposed holiday, including accommodation suggestions. Note we can't book accommodation for you. Besides our handling fee we also charge for the maps we ordered on your behalf. You'll receive our booklet "Guide to cycling in The Netherlands for UK visitors" (see above) for free.
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Route Summary Holland Cyclist's Paradise Tour:
You travel by ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland. If you don't want to bring your own bike you can hire a bike from the local bike shop in Hook. From there you join one of Holland's most attractive routes; the tarmac car-free cycling highway through the sand dune reserves of the Dutch coast.
Just an hours ride away is The Hague. This city has plenty of scenic sites, like the medieval seat of the Dutch government, the International Court and some world class museums. There is also Madurodam, a miniature city with all well known buildings of The Netherlands on 1:25 scale. We should also mention Scheveningen beach, the seaside promenade and beach of The Hague.
After The Hague you rejoin the sand dune cycling highway northbound. It is possible to break up the cycling at the theme park of Duinrell. Most popular here is the Tiki pool, the largest covered waterslide paradise in Europe with ten unique slides; don't forget to bring your swimming costume! You can also use this for a sea swim at any time following the coastal route. The laid-back seaside town of Katwijk is probably one of the best locations in which to embark upon such a swim.
Beyond the seaside town of Noordwijk you have to decide whether you wish to keep following the superb Dutch coastal cycling highway or to move slightly inland for a bike ride through Holland's bulb fields. These are blooming in April and May and if you are cycling during these months you don't want to miss the famous Keukenhof Gardens either.
Haarlem is a lovely old city. It has a medieval town square and scenic canals; much more quiet than those in busy Amsterdam and therefore much more enjoyable. Beyond Haarlem you can cycle by the statue of the legendary (fictitious) boy, Hans Brinker who put his finger in a Dutch dyke to prevent the land from flooding.
A bike ride in Holland wouldn't be complete without some serious windmill spotting and halfway between Haarlem and Amsterdam there is an attractive opportunity. The Zaanse Schans is one of Holland's premium free-access windmill reserves and it is great to spend some time here before making your way by Twiske Nature Reserve to the Dutch capital.
Whether it is a visit to the Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House , a canal boat tour or a walk through the infamous Red Light District, Amsterdam has it all. You might like to leave your bike at your accommodation, as city cycling can be hectic but the choice is yours. If you wish to do some cycling, the routes along the Amstel river and the routes in the Vondelpark are probably your best choices. For those who want to get some more mileage in we recommend the easy access routes to the former island of Marken.
Leaving Amsterdam is best along the busy Amsterdam-Rhine Canal where barges set off on their long journeys along the Rhine. Soon you'll switch waterways to continue along the sleepy Vecht River, where the merchants of the Dutch Golden Age built their country mansions and estates. There are plenty of opportunities for breaks on the way, especially at the original Dutch "Brooklyn Bridge". The Vecht River ends in the City of Utrecht, where its scenic "Old Canal" and one of Europe's tallest medieval church towers mix with countless shopping opportunities.
From Utrecht you cycle into Holland's Green Heart, a farmland belt of peace and quiet. Spend some time at the majestic De Haar Castle and the old Oudewater Witch Weighing Table. If you didn't fly off on your broomstick after that there is also an opportunity to visit a working Gouda Cheese Farm before you make your way into famous Gouda itself with its triangular Market Square.
Heading back to Hook of Holland you'll cycle across Holland's lowest lands (22 feet below sea level) and you'll visit another famous Dutch town, Delft. This scenic old town full of Delftware is the last stop before arriving at the massive Rotterdam Harbour Flood Barrier. From here the ferry back to Harwich is only a couple of miles away!
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Check your Cycling Profile:
Anyone who enjoys cycling can do this Dutch Tour! Cycling on the Dutch flat terrain is extremely pleasant and on the flat most people easily cycle 10 miles per hour. Cycling in The Netherlands is especially recommended for children as the Dutch cycle path infrastructure seems to be made for them! Children love the Dutch cycle ways with their own road markings and traffic signs. Nevertheless, they have to be mentally and physically prepared to cycle in bad weather too!
As the total distance of this route is approximately 160 miles, the whole route could be covered within 16 hours of cycling. We recommend cycling this route in 6 or 7 days, meaning you only actually cycle 2 to 3 hours a day. Of course you can also take more time for your holiday, meaning the actual cycling time per day is reduced even further. For novice cyclists and children it is also possible to cycle just the stretch from Hook of Holland to Amsterdam. Along the whole route there are plenty of opportunities to take the train back to Hook of Holland if you wish. Taking bicycles on trains in The Netherlands is extremely easy, although there is a charge for every bike carried.
It is also good to know that you can use all types of bicycles, as even gravel routes are of such a high quality that they can carry racing bicycles with narrow tyres with no problems. The Hook of Holland bike hire offers various Dutch on-road bicycles with comfortable saddles, hand brakes and at least 3 speeds (you won't need more!). Note it is not possible to rent a helmet as the use of helmets in The Netherlands is largely unknown; if you wish to wear one please bring your own.
Regarding the helmet issue EOS Cycling Holidays endorses the policy of the European Cyclist's Federation, which is also endorsed by the British CTC: "ECF is not opposed to the wearing of bicycle helmets, but firmly believes that this should be a decision for each individual cyclist. The countries with the highest level of cycle use and the lowest risks per kilometre cycled (read: The Netherlands) have chosen to create safer road conditions rather than promote the wearing of helmets."
Travel Information:
By train: National Express East Anglia runs a direct link with London Liverpool Street and Harwich International and the journey time is approximately 80 minutes. Have a look at the bicycle information on their website to check whether or not you can carry your own bike on the train, as this depends upon the service you are travelling. At Harwich International you board the Stenaline ferry to Hook of Holland.
By car: You might want to drive your car to Harwich. The North Sea crossing to Hook of Holland is operated by Stenaline ferry. It is much cheaper to leave your car in Harwich and board the ferry as a cyclist. The down side is the lack of inexpensive parking at Harwich International Port . These charges can be easily avoided however if you are happy to park your car at own risk on a public road in the outskirts of Harwich town.
By plane: If you travel from further afield and you wish to fly, we recommend you fly to the Netherlands directly, as public transport between Harwich International Port and London airports is not an easy ride. Nearly every UK International Airport has a flight to Amsterdam Airport and from there it is approximately 20 minutes by Dutch Railways to Amsterdam Central station, where you can start our circular route as well.
* Research by Navi Car Nederland: "41.000 kilometres of cycling highways and cycle paths"
