Created from the separation of the North Sea and the wild Zuidersee with a dam, Ijsselmeer presents peaceful water and a beautiful sailors paradise. With slight gust of winds coming from the sea the water is perfect for sailors, kite and windsurfers. The beautiful views and mostly flat surrounding area makes it a cyclist paradise too.
The Seven or Eight-day (optional) round trip will take you on an exploration through nature parks to see rare animals and plants. Cycle though thriving picturesque fishing villages and cities to experience true fishing town culture. On your longer journey, Amsterdam marks a milestone destination. Explore the city, experience a mixture of culture and the marvel at beauty of the water that builds the landscape around Ijsselmeer. Enjoy the good weather and path conditions for a fantastic cycling holiday.
Arrival in Harderwijk (Individual). Collect Travel Information and Bike (If booked) in the afternoon. Take time to discover the medieval Hanseatic city and walk through the streets that lead you almost always past the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk). Capture the Basilica with a three-part elevation from the 14th and 15th century.
Enjoy the wide, flat landscape of the Arkemheen-Eemland National Park with its extraordinary vegetation. Keep the camera ready to capture a Black-tailed godwits strut across the moor. cycle alongside the banks of the Randmeren to Huizen, the twin village on the Eemmeer with exiting culture stops such as the costumes and fishing museum. Naarden marks your final stop. Discover the beautiful city in the green Gooi region and venture around one of the best-preserved fortress cities in Europe. It still amazes people today that Naarden was one of the most important defenses of the New Dutch Waterline.
Enjoy a 30km cycle from Bussam/Naarden to Amsterdam alongside the Ijsselmeer. During your trip you will reach the medieval moated castle "Muidenschloss" erected over 700 years ago and surrounded by beautiful gardens. This isn’t a sight you will want to rush past. Your path will then lead you to Amsterdam. Enjoy the historic buildings, the magnificent museums and the cozy atmosphere of the city. Take tours on the canals, walk through the Vondelpark, visit the floating flower market and shop in the old city center. Amsterdam is unique, due to the short stage, you have enough time to explore the beautiful city that awaits you!
If you cycle the “7 days / 6 nights” tour, day 3 is cancelled. You cycle directly to Volendam / proximity and stay overnight there. (about 55 km)
A few kilometers in to your journey you will reach the typical old Dutch town of Monnickendam, a real water city. Demount or cycle through the lovely centre with countless monuments to gaze at. From here, enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the IJsselmeer to Volendam or Katwoude. Take a break in traditional fishing villages, which have a past as thriving commercial cities. Discover why Volendam is famous for its costumes and is said to be home of a delicious smoked eel.
In Edam, you will soon discover that the town has more to give than the world-famous cheese. Explore its streets and discover the culture that surrounds you. Hoorn is a small shopper's paradise with numerous terrace cafes and restaurants to enjoy a rest. The picturesque town of Enkhuizen attracts thousands of tourists every year, some love it because of its many historic buildings and monuments, others because of its harbor and the optimal water sports facilities. Take time to explore enkhuizen yourself and discover your love for the city. Take an additional city walk to visit the Zuiderzeemuseum with its replicated old Zuiderzee town.
On a ferry (not included), cross the gentle waves of the IJsselmeer before you disembark in Stavoren. Discover the nostalgic charm of the oldest of the eleven Frisian cities in the Netherlands and the medieval legend of the Lady of Stavoren. You then cycle through the gently sloping and wooded Gaasterland with distant cliffs to Lemmer. Explore the cozy centre and the cafes and the many attractions such as The Old Lock, all right on the water.
Today you will cycle through the national park "De Weerribben". Not only loved by cyclist, this bog area is loved by canoeist. The Park is home to a collection of rare plants and animals, due to the variety of canals. Having cycled through the national park you will then reach Blokijl. Explore the jewel of the city and protected heritage sight of the harbor area. The natural landscape De Wieden borders on the Weerribben, together they form the largest contiguous flat moor in Western Europe. Cycle past Zwartsluis (The Black Lock), that took over the role of the transit port for peat in the 18th century. Kampen holds centruries of tradition fields of trade and shipping. In this Hanseatic city, you will see more than 500 monuments, including the Sint Nicolaaskerk, the Gothic Huis, the city gates and a replica of the medieval merchant ship 'De Kamper Hanze Kogge'.
Cycling alongside the dam you reach Elburg. You will see The ‘botte’, the traditional sailing ships which were formerly used for fishing. On your journey alongside the Veluwemeer you come back to your starting point: Harderwijk. Here you start your individual return journey.
(Or prolong it: you can book additional nights)
Easy - The path quality is above average. Cycle along the mostly flat Holland on paved two-laned bike paths accessible on almost every street.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
Self-guided tour
Not included services:
Arrival and departure, all ferries, also the ferry Enkhuizen-Stavoren, spa and local taxes, parking fees, optional visits, expenses of personal needs.
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
E - Bike (Colour may vary)
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gearing information available on request.
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Season | Date | Prices per person | Arrival Day |
Season 1 | 23.04 – 05.05 | 14.09 – 18.09 | £715 | Tuesday Friday Saturday & Sunday |
Season 2 | 06.05 – 13.09 | £755 | Tuesday Friday Saturday & Sunday |
Single Room Supplement | All | £160 |
Bike Type | Price |
Rental Bike: | £85 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £190 |
Location | Price DBL/BB | Single Supplement Price SGL/BB |
Harderwijk | £85 | £130 |
Date From | Date To | Price |
23 April 2022 | 18 September 2022 | £0 |