{"id":1928,"date":"2021-09-20T08:57:43","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T08:57:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=1928"},"modified":"2025-11-19T10:34:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T09:34:31","slug":"cycling-on-the-ridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/fietsen-op-de-heuvelrug","title":{"rendered":"Cycling on the Heuvelrug: classic from Bunnik"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cycling on the Heuvelrug. Anyone looking for a little bit of altimeters in the Netherlands soon ends up on a route across the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. For many people in the Randstad, this is the first opportunity to get a sniff of real climbing. Of course, it is not yet a alpencol<\/a> Or does it not remotely resemble the longer Ardennes<\/a> work. Still, you can take in some nice climbs from Bunnik. This is one of my favourite routes! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hill Ridge Highlights 75km<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rhijnauwen teahouse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For anyone coming from Utrecht or wanting to drive this route, it is Rhijnauwen teahouse<\/a><\/strong> a fine and recognisable starting point. Not only is it the perfect spot to catch up with a good pancake after a ride, the avenue to it, coming from Utrecht, gives a very nice and atmospheric view! Alternatively, you can start this route at Early<\/strong> in Bunnik. The coffee there is already simmering on time and they have really delicious cake and lunch. In summer, there is also ice cream, so there is something for everyone in this neighbourhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Teahouse Rhijnauwen as the perfect base of operations<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On to the hills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The route itself starts with a nice long, meandering stretch across the Rear dyke<\/em>. This is a favourite with many Utrecht cyclists because you have four kilometres of space. Yes, there is traffic, but you don't have to constantly squeeze your brakes and there are no traffic lights either. You could almost extend this all the way to Langbroek, but for this time we'll bend towards the \u2018castles route<\/strong>\u2018. This is not an official route per se, but you still pick up some nice old cottages this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beverweert and Ridderhofstad Sterkenburg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have crossed the N229 you turn onto Molenhoeflaan between the yellow ornaments along the road. Pretty soon you see on your right the (dilapidated) Beverweert castle<\/strong>. This is the place for the average handyman. From a distance, it still looks reasonably well maintained, but closer you can see that it could really use more than just a lick of paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The road past this castle is very quiet, but relatively narrow. two cars cannot pass just like that, so be careful with oncoming traffic. After the bend, you come to a nice stretch under the trees, where you could sprint full speed. At the end of this stretch, turn right and you'll see Ridderhofstad Sterkenburg in the distance, on your right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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No hill seen yet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So far, everything is pretty flat. Geographically, we also need to head a little further north, as that's where the final Utrecht Hill Ridge lies, where you need to pick up the altimeters. We'll do this by getting to Sterkenburg castle <\/a>(an insane wedding venue, by the way, tip!) turn left onto Sterkenburgerlaan and at the end turn right on Gooijerdijk. This stretch is lovely. The tarmac is good, you are surrounded by meadows and sometimes you drive through a patch of forest. Here you can pedal undisturbed for kilometres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The real thing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the Gooijerdijk<\/strong>, after crossing the N-road, turn left onto Sandenburgerlaan. Here you can see in the distance on the right Sandenburg castle<\/strong> lie. At the end of Sandenburgerlaan, near the restaurant, it goes up false flat for the first time. Make sure you are well warm, because from now on we go uphill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, there lies a classic triangle, the combination of Ruiterberg-Hoogstraat-Ruiterberg<\/strong>. One you can't avoid when cycling up the ridge. It's about 2 minutes up this side of the Rider Mountain<\/strong>. It is not hugely steep as you pick up a maximum of 5% but you feel m in the legs. The descent in the Cape forests<\/strong> is good to catch your breath again, as you then turn right again at the end, just before the main road, onto Hoogstraat. This is a long continuous climb that just doesn't seem to stop. If you can earn an imaginary mountain prize on top, wait a long time before turning on. Here you tap a maximum of 7.5%, so this is a calf bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the descent of the Hoogstraat, turn right again before taking the Ruiterberg again. After the second descent of the Ruiterberg, turn left onto the Maarnse Grintweg. This is a popular stretch and you'll meet cyclists here all months of the year. It runs very slightly downhill here, but the bigger descent comes a bit later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Ruiterberg,
Rider mountain south-north (c) Sander Kolsloot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cycling on the Hillside, even in the city!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now it's just a bit of \u2018crossing\u2019 to Amersfoort. Past the Leusderheide training area (where you can also enjoy MTBing and Graveling), you head north towards the city. Passing under the A28 motorway you briefly drive into a residential area, but at the roundabout it's left and then you see Galgenberg<\/strong> lie, as Mount Amersfoort is officially called. You drive up Hugo de Grootlaan here. Which is pretty tough. Again, this climb is about two minutes for the average amateur. There is a sign with 5% along the road, so it takes some effort. According to Strava, it is 700 metres at 4.4% average. Especially the last bit is very dirty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galgenberg<\/a>, Amersfoort, the Netherlands<\/p>- Distance: 753 m, Height difference: 25 m, Average slope: 3.3 %<\/blockquote>