The Netherlands is beautiful. If you haven’t seen it yet, we have a number of great tips for going on a cycling holiday in your own country. Especially with the high temperatures, the traffic jams on the roads, and the hassle with airports, the Netherlands is again very popular. And rightly so! Because in Netherlands There is certainly plenty to discover in the cycling world. 12 reasons to go on a cycling holiday in the Netherlands. You can read about them here. These twelve reasons (+1) should be enough to simply stay in your own country and explore the trails in the proverbial backyard. After all, isn’t everyone looking forward to a cycling holiday in the Netherlands?
Elevation meters on the Dutch Mont Blanc (4800cm above NAV)
The nod to the height of Mont Blanc is nice. Drenthe has it with the VAM mountain take on your own challenge. And not only the VAM mountain is beautiful. The new ‘Emmen wall’ is also one to keep coming back to. Would you rather not be so focused on the clouds at home? Then go to the Dwingelderveld for stunning views in this natural area.
www.drenthe.nl
Fun off-road driving in the Achterhoek
Gravel is hip. Especially in the Netherlands, the gravel craze knows no bounds. Whatever you want, if you can get your hands on the unpaved paths in the Achterhoek. We are fans ourselves and have already driven on these routes: explorer Nynke went on a journey in Montferland and Sander was on the beautiful white strips from the Achterhoek. Via achterhoek.nl if you can find all the info and if you really like it, then the ‘Strade Bianche Achterhoek’ is an absolute must-see!
What an area!
Cycling on the islands is very beautiful. For the race cyclist it is often just a little too short, but for any other form of cycling it is wonderful. But have you ever driven through the Wadden area on the mainland? From Den Helder to Delfzijl you have beautiful places. The seawall is closed for now, but otherwise there are beautiful bulb fields, views over the sea and more to explore. After all, there is nothing like Groningen. Read our own travel stories from the Wadden area here and here. Another one of those 12 reasons to go on a cycling holiday in the Netherlands!
Fries lakes
There are even more opportunities for a cycling holiday in the north of the Netherlands. Friesland has a lot to offer. Of course, you can explore the entire region by bike. Elfstedentocht We’re going to go cycling, but just taking a walk around the various lakes is beautiful. Tjeukemeer, Fluessen, Slotermeer. Each one of them is beautiful. With the family near Sneek and the Snekermeer? Then go to Terherne and immerse yourself in the adventures of Hylke and Sietse Klinkhamer, the famous “Kameleon-twins”. Also check out Mark Heij’s blog about his visit South-West Friesland
Sallandse Heuvelrug: Holterberg – Lemelerberg
When it comes to a cycling holiday in the Netherlands, people quickly look to the south. The area around the Holterberg And the Lemelerberg is often forgotten. However, the Sallandse Heuvelrug (where the Holterberg is located) is beautiful and diverse. There are plenty of beautiful routes for city bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes and race bikes, as well as many fun and atmospheric stops. Plus the hospitality of the people is a definite recommendation. If you combine this with the Lemelerberg, take a nice ride along the Regge back.
Playing the Crown Dome
The province of Gelderland is very diverse (and large, the largest in the Netherlands). There is plenty to choose from for a cycling holiday in the Netherlands. But a favorite this year is definitely the ‘Crown domain Playing games’. In the backyard at Willem-Alexander and Maxima, why wouldn’t you want to have some fun? Beautiful paths, stunning nature and all that close to the city. Crowned estate played out? Then go and enjoy the Hoge Veluwe or take the National Park Veluwezoom with you. Not bad either. For a cool story: check out our Shimano GRX Series and the corresponding article about our tour of the Crown Dome
The roof of Brabant and the Brabant Sahara
The Roof of Brabant is a beautiful MTB playground east of Eindhoven. Why go to the Alps or the Ardennes? You can play with the MTB right here, in ‘our Brabant’. And the wonder that the Loonse And Drunense Duinen is called that; that shouldn’t be missing either. Imagine yourself in the desert in this ‘Brabantse Sahara’. But would you rather do something different? Start and end where you want. round trip at the Neerlands Trappist brewery ‘La Trappe’.
Quiet and deserted on the beach
Zeeland is a blind spot for many Dutch people when it comes to cycling holidays in their own country. It is ignored in the winter and avoided in the summer. But along the Zeeland waters it is a very pleasant place to be. Just watch out for the tourists, but take a left and right turn and you are completely alone again. Do you want to experience some history as well? Then take the flood route on Schouwen-Duiveland. Or the classic ‘round the Veerse Meer’, with a nice stop in Veere. Did you know that Zeeland has many bike cafés along its cycling routes? Try them all!
Check out these articles about Zeeland:
- Gravel route on Noord-Beveland: looking hard for unpaved roads
- Mountain biking in West-Zeeuws-Vlaanderen: bouncing over cobblestones with the wind in your hair
www.zeeland.com
Border posts count
In both Zeeland, Brabant and Limburg, you can still visit the old-fashioned Grenspaal. And you can combine that nicely with a climb of ‘De Epenerbaan’ that ends in the Gemmenicherweg. Don’t forget to stop at the ice cream stand just before the village on the way back to Epen. If you’re in Brabant, combine that with a ride near Chaam – Breda for a beautiful tour along the Brabant bike route! Since this year, there’s a real tour, the Border pillar classic.
Castles in Utrecht
Utrecht is the smallest province of the Netherlands, but when you drive past it on a bike, it still feels huge! Take a tour around all the castles on the Heuvelrug (and grab a nice drink at Kasteel Kerckebosch, Kasteel Amerongen, or even stay the night in a real tower room in Castle Sterkenburg!). You've had enough of the knightly pursuits? Then take a short ride over the Ruiterberg and Hoogstraat. It's lovely in the shade, the wooded area is beautiful, and after the climb you can, for example, head via the Maarnse Grindweg towards the Austerlitz Pyramid or, alternatively, stop off at Den Treek along the way!
Around new ground
Many people will quickly leave the province of Flevoland behind. Little history, ‘just straight ahead’. Yet this piece of the Netherlands should not be missed. How about the beautiful Oostvaardersplassen? At sunrise and sunset the pictures are absolutely instagram worthy. And with its location right next to the dike, you’ll always have something to see on the water.
In the dunes
North and South Holland are both provinces known for their dunes. In Schoorl you can enjoy your bike ride on the MTB trails. The same goes for the MTB route from Noordwijk, which many have already explored thoroughly. Want something a bit different? Try cycling from Den Helder to Hoek van Holland (which can also be done in several days), and for the real challenge, back again!
If you head further inland, you’ll find another beautiful North-South (Holland) combo. The circular canal route is generally easy for all types of cyclists. Unfortunately, there’s not much off-road, but it’s nice to cycle along the water. In the summer evenings it can be quite busy, but choose your moment and you’ll have a wonderful route ahead of you. And with a little luck, a plane will even land on the Kaag canal track – ears open!
BONUS:
Limburg, but just a little bit different
Limburg. Everyone knows it, the Cauberg, Keutenberg, Eyserbosweg. Sounding names. But Limburg is more than that! Ever heard of the Hollweg Sint Jansbeek? Many of you will not place this climb in Limburg, just like the Zevendalseweg, unknown but with a climb of 9%. All in the northernmost point of Limburg. And if you are there anyway, take a ride through the national park De Maasduinen. Beautiful with the MTB (and the gravel bike for the thrill seekers. Who knows, you might spot some wild animals or the smooth snake there again. Check out this story from the Mountain High Chasers: Gravel in Limburg: The same Limburg, but a different world
In short: The Netherlands is so beautiful. And with our 12 reasons to enjoy a cycling holiday in the Netherlands, you don't want to choose anything else.
Because the Netherlands is perhaps the ultimate ‘Cycling Destination’
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.