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Cycle break by the canal with passing boat

Around the IJsselmeer

Market towns, dreamy harbors, and the tranquil sea

7 Days / 6 Nights
Easy
Cycle break by the canal with passing boat

The Ijsselmeer, formerly a part of the North Sea, offers a stunning setting for cycling tours in the Netherlands. With a coastline extending over 300 kilometers, this inland sea showcases picturesque villages, historic cities, and captivating landscapes. Cycling paths along the dyke offer memorable days, enhanced by the presence of windmills and sailboats. Whether exploring a national park or a Hanseatic city, the route's numerous exciting stops ensure an active holiday of a unique nature.

The journey begins in the medieval town of Harderwijk. After exploring the old town, including the Church of Our Lady, you set off on your first leg toward Naarden. Along the way, you'll traverse the breathtaking scenery of a national park and discover the defensive structures of the Dutch Water Line. Continuing on, you'll pass by Muiderslot Castle and through the capital city of Amsterdam before reaching Volendam.

Sample the fine cheese in Edam and stroll through the old town of Enkhuizen. Or perhaps you'd prefer to try out a new water sport? Enjoy a drink with a view of the water in Lemmer before the final stage takes you back to Harderwijk.

  • The flora and fauna in Arkemheen-Eemland National Park: Heavenly tranquility meets a fascinating array of wildlife and plants. Rare bird species, such as the spoonbill and the marsh owl, call this place home. Visitors can also discover wild plants like the marsh forget-me-not.
  • The charming Hanseatic city of Kampen: Located on the IJssel River, the old town impresses with its rich history and network of picturesque streets. Be sure to explore historical landmarks such as the Gothic Cathedral and the Town Hall. A boat ride on the IJssel offers a picturesque perspective of the city.
  • The impressive Muiderslot Castle: The 13th-century water castle boasts splendid interiors and provides captivating glimpses into history. Take leisurely strolls through the surrounding gardens, and explore the nearby town of Muiden, which beckons with its charming cafes and restaurants.

Over the course of seven days, you'll not only get to know the rich maritime culture, but the flat and easy stages also leave you plenty of space and time for culinary delights and sports activities – whether on or in the water. You'll cover between 25 and 75 kilometers on your daily stages. Look forward to excellent bike paths and a varied route layout.

Amidst the culinary, cultural, and scenic delights, you'll encounter fascinating cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Maastricht, where tasty cheese, colorful flowers, and delightful natural scenery abound. A cycling excursion in the Netherlands not only offers activity but also promises countless memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Itinerary at a glance

Individual arrival in Harderwijk. Discover the medieval Hanseatic city. A walk through the city leads you almost always past the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk). It is a basilica with a three-part elevation from the 14th and 15th century.

Look forward to the Arkemheen-Eemland National Park and the wide, flat landscape with its extraordinary vegetation. Black-tailed godwits strut across the moor. You cycle alongside the banks of the Randmeren to Huizen, the twin village on the Eemmeer with costumes and fishing museum. Naarden is a beautiful city in the green Gooi region and one of the best-preserved fortress cities in Europe. It was one of the most important defenses of the New Dutch Waterline, which still amazes people today.

On your tour along the IJsselmeer, you will touch the medieval moated castle "Muidenschloss". Continue on to Amsterdam, enjoy the historic buildings, wonderful museums and cosy atmosphere. After a few more kilometres you reach the typical old Dutch town of Monickendam, a real water town. Enjoy the cycle tour along the IJsselmeer to Volendam or Katwoude. You will take your breaks in traditional fishing villages whose past as flourishing trading towns cannot be overlooked. Volendam is famous for its traditional costumes and is considered the home of a particularly delicious smoked eel. Overnight stay in Volendam/the surrounding area.

In Edam, you will soon discover that the town has more to give than the world-famous cheese. Hoorn is a small shopper's paradise with numerous terrace cafes and restaurants to enjoy and 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 a city walk to visit the Zuiderzeemuseum with its replicated old Zuiderzee town.

On a ferry (not incl.) you cross the waves of the IJsselmeer before you disembark in Stavoren. Discover the nostalgic charm of the oldest of the eleven Frisian cities in the Netherlands. You cycle through the gently sloping and wooded Gaasterland with its cliffs to Lemmer or the proximity. The cozy center with its many terraces right on the water, the cafes and the many attractions, such as the old lock represent the zest for life in the town.

You cycle through the national park "De Weerribben". Not only canoeists love this bog area, which is home of rare plants and animals - due to the variety of canals. One of the jewels of the place Blokzijl is the historic harbor area. It is not surprising that it is a protected heritage. The natural landscape De Wieden borders on the Weerribben. Together they form the largest contiguous flat moor in Western Europe. Zwartsluis (Black Lock) took over the role of the transit port for peat in the 18th century. Kampen has a tradition for centuries in the fields of trade and shipping and this is still evident today. 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 to Elburg. The traditional sailing ships, which are originally called “Botte”, 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 the prolongation.

Itinerary at a glance

Along the Ijsselmeer, you'll visit the Hanseatic city of Harderwijk, the Arkemheen-Eemland National Park, the Muiden Castle, and charming gems like Hoorn, Edam, or Stavoren. Don't miss the opportunity to taste regional delicacies, from cheese to eel.

Individual arrival in Harderwijk. Discover the medieval Hanseatic city. A walk through the city leads you almost always past the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk). It is a basilica with a three-part elevation from the 14th and 15th century.

Look forward to the Arkemheen-Eemland National Park and the wide, flat landscape with its extraordinary vegetation. Black-tailed godwits strut across the moor. You cycle alongside the banks of the Randmeren to Huizen, the twin village on the Eemmeer with costumes and fishing museum. Naarden is a beautiful city in the green Gooi region and one of the best-preserved fortress cities in Europe. It was one of the most important defenses of the New Dutch Waterline, which still amazes people today.

On your tour along the IJsselmeer, you will touch the medieval moated castle "Muidenschloss". Continue on to Amsterdam, enjoy the historic buildings, wonderful museums and cosy atmosphere. After a few more kilometres you reach the typical old Dutch town of Monickendam, a real water town. Enjoy the cycle tour along the IJsselmeer to Volendam, Katwoude or Hoorn. You will take your breaks in traditional fishing villages whose past as flourishing trading towns cannot be overlooked. Volendam is famous for its traditional costumes and is considered the home of a particularly delicious smoked eel. Overnight stay in Volendam/the surrounding area.

In Edam, you will soon discover that the town has more to give than the world-famous cheese. Hoorn is a small shopper's paradise with numerous terrace cafes and restaurants to enjoy and 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 a city walk to visit the Zuiderzeemuseum with its replicated old Zuiderzee town.

On a ferry (not incl.) you cross the waves of the IJsselmeer before you disembark in Stavoren. Discover the nostalgic charm of the oldest of the eleven Frisian cities in the Netherlands. You cycle through the gently sloping and wooded Gaasterland with its cliffs to Lemmer or the proximity. The cozy center with its many terraces right on the water, the cafes and the many attractions, such as the old lock represent the zest for life in the town.

You cycle through the national park "De Weerribben". Not only canoeists love this bog area, which is home of rare plants and animals - due to the variety of canals. One of the jewels of the place Blokzijl is the historic harbor area. It is not surprising that it is a protected heritage. The natural landscape De Wieden borders on the Weerribben. Together they form the largest contiguous flat moor in Western Europe. Zwartsluis (Black Lock) took over the role of the transit port for peat in the 18th century. Kampen has a tradition for centuries in the fields of trade and shipping and this is still evident today. 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 to Elburg. The traditional sailing ships, which are originally called “Botte”, 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 the prolongation.

Other variations of this tour

Route information

Easy

Easy - The path quality is above average. In Holland, there is a two-lane and paved bike path along almost every street.

Prices & Dates

Category A: 3*** and 4**** hotels

Category B: Hotels and guest houses on 3*** level

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Best developed route
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • GPS-data is available
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Harderwijk train station
  • Amsterdam airport
  • Cat A: hotel parking for free, no reservation possible
  • Cat. B: Parking spaces close to the hotel, costs approx. EUR 15 per day, no reservation possible, to be paid for at the time

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Ferry trip from Enkhuizen to Stavoren is not included in the tour price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in the selected category
  • Breakfast
  • Digital briefing (German, English)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French)
  • App for navigation and GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Harderwijk train station
  • Amsterdam airport
  • Cat A: hotel parking for free, no reservation possible
  • Cat B: parking near by the hotel, 15 EUR per day, no reservation possible

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Ferry trip from Enkhuizen to Stavoren is not included in the tour price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of EUR 20 per room.

Antonia Kreiseder

"I look forward to making your vacation dreams come true."

Antonia Kreiseder
Travel Specialist
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