Beginner bike trip through the Netherlands
If you’re considering getting into cycling holidays (and I highly recommend that you do!), there is no better place for it than the country known for its great cycling infrastructure. I’m therefore sharing the route of this beginner bike trip through the Netherlands. It’s a slightly adapted version of a trip I’ve done myself in the summer of 2020. There is hardly any elevation, you’ll never be far from cities or towns in case something happens, and you won’t have to cycle on car roads. Sounds ideal, right?! The route outlined below takes you 6 days to complete, with being on your bike no more than 3,5 to 4 hours each day. If you want a more elaborate, adapted version of this route that includes suggestions for accommodation and food, check out my free guide on Thatch! The guide also outlines detailed route information and Strava routes that can be used for navigation.
Before you start
Okay, so you want to go on a beginner bike trip through the Netherlands, now what do you need? Of course, a bike! Because the Netherlands is very flat, you can ride this route on any type of bike. The distances are probably a bit far for a ‘city bike’ or mountainbike, as these are heavier and slower. Ideally, you’d use a touring bike, gravel bike or road bike (any type of e-bike will do, too).
In terms of kit, a small backpack was enough for me, although riding with a backloader or paniers is a lot more comfortable. As I stayed in B&B’s, camping gear was left at home. In case you want to know more about what your first cycling holiday might look like, I suggest you read this other post as well.
Day 1 – 69 km/37 miles
Den Haag (or Rotterdam) > Utrecht
The first day of cycling will also be the longest one! Den Haag is a great place to spend a few days before you start cycling. For tips, check out my sustainable city guide about Den Haag. After hopping on your bike, the first part of the route to Utrecht is not the most exciting. Until you reach Bodegraven, you’re cycling parallel to a motorway (A12). However, the cycle path here is great and goes to show why cycling in the Netherlands is so easy. If you really want to avoid the motorway, you can follow the Eurovelo 2 route. But be aware that this requires a lot more navigation! The second part of this leg, between Bodegraven and Utrecht, is more rural either way. Alternatively, you could start from Rotterdam, which is shorter by about 10 km/6 miles. Utrecht is a lovely city to stay for an extra night if you want to travel slower or get some rest after the first day.
Day 2 – 43 km/27 miles
Utrecht > Ede
The route to Ede is pretty straightforward. Dutch people might say you’ll come across a hilly area, but the total elevation level on this day is just a bit over 50 meters/170 feet. You also cycle through what is (by Dutch standards) a forest. Quite an easy ride as you’re nearing the more beautiful side of the Netherlands. Ede definitely does not qualify as beautiful, so I’d recommended spending the morning in Utrecht and arriving in Ede around dinner time.
Day 3 – 55 km/34 miles
Ede > Epe
Don’t be confused by the names! The route between Ede and Epe can be done in a fairly straight line, but it’s worth lengthening the ride to take a detour through the National Park ‘De Hoge Veluwe’ and avoid cycling along the edges of Apeldoorn. If you take my advice, you can admire the heath, and cycle amongst trees for a good part of the day. The town of Hoog Soeren is a popular lunch stop in summer, where you are likely to find lots of bike parking racks.
Day 4 – 61 km/38 miles
Epe > Ommen
On day 4, you follow the IJssel river to Zwolle, and after that the Overijsselsche Vecht to Ommen. Zwolle is a nice city where you can have an extended lunch break. I really enjoyed cycling along the water most of this day. Especially with some tailwind, it’s an easy ride. Ommen, with over 50 campsites in the area, becomes quite the bustling town when the sun is out. On weekend days in summer, you might want to book a table in advance if you’d like to eat out.
Day 5 – 59 km/37 miles
Ommen > Wijster
Similar to day 3, cycling in a straight line is not the way to go when heading up north to Wijster. You’ll want to stay on the left side of Hoogeveen and pass through the National Park ‘Dwingelderveld’. As Wijster is a tiny village, there aren’t many options for accommodation. I was able to stay at a friend’s place. There are some also B&B’s, but chances are you will end up in another village nearby, such as Spier. In any case, the surroundings you’ll pass to get there are great.
Day 6 – 61 km/38 miles
Wijster > Groningen
The last day is a good one! Keep an eye out for ‘Hunebedden’, which are neolithic burial mounds. ‘Hunebedden’ are made of large boulders left behind by retreating ice during the glacial period. They are only found in this region of the Netherlands and parts of Germany. You can spot a few of them, especially if you look up the locations in advance and plan your route accordingly. Cycling through the ‘Drentsche Aa’ is also a good idea. Again, there are some nice paths through heaths and groups of trees. And to end the day, you reach Groningen. It’s worth staying an extra night to go into this lovely city. Alternatively, you can take the train back to Den Haag (or Rotterdam) to end up at your starting point.
Conclusion
By going on this beginner bike trip through the Netherlands, you get a good idea as to whether cycling holidays are up your alley or not. You will not have to spend an excessive amount of time on your bike, and you cycle through some of the most beautiful nature areas in the country. I hope this route sparks your enthusiasm, because I really enjoyed it! And please do reach out if you want more info or have any questions.