Day 1 Arrival Amersfoort
Day 2 Amersfoort – Muiderberg – 42 km
Day 3 Muiderberg – Volendam – 45 km
Day 4 Volendam – Enkhuizen – 45 km
Day 5 Enkhuizen – Lelystad – 30 km (via Urk)
Day 6 Lelystad – Hulshorst – 35 km
Day 7 Hulshorst – Amersfoort – 48 km
Day 8 Return Home

Day 1 Arrival Amersfoort
Free parking at the hotel (no reservation required).

Day 2 Amersfoort – Muiderberg – 42 km
After fishing village Spakenburg, the route takes you through Arkemheen-Eemland, a protected national landscape. The area was surrounded by dikes in the year 1360 to stop cropfields from being flooded by the sea. Arkemheen polder is special because the original lots are still intact. The lots are divided by curvy creeks, remnants of Zuiderzee tidal streams. Some plant species still recall the influence of salt water. Part of the polder is being preserved as a bird habitat for “Natura 2000”. The visitors’ centre has more information. Via Huizen and Naarden, today the tour will end in Muiderberg.

Day 3 Muiderberg – Volendam – 45 km
From Muiderberg you will cycle to Muiden where you can visit medieval Muiden Castle. From here, it is a short ride to Amsterdam. A pleasant cycle along the former estuary brings you to Waterland, with its bird-rich peat meadows, ancient canals and watercourses. After that you will proceed to Amsterdam. There is more to this capital city than just canals, bridges and over 800,000 bicycles. How about art, culture, shopping, dining out (have you ever tried Indonesian food?) or going for a drink in a cafe? After taking your leave of Amsterdam, the route continues atop the old sea dike to Volendam. This fishing village has always had a character all of its own.

Day 4 Volendam – Enkhuizen – 45 km
Today’s peaceful route, past farmhouses and windmills, continues up the coast to Edam, Hoorn and then Enkhuizen. Beautiful buildings are reminders of the prosperous 17th century Golden Age when they were affluent harbour towns, focussed on trade and shipbuilding. For centuries, small, round, salty cheeses produced by dairy farmers in neighbouring polders were shipped out of Edam and exported all over Europe. In Zuiderzee Museum, in Enkhuizen, learn all about the days when ships from villages on the Zuiderzee sailed the seven seas trading in bulbs and spices.

Day 5 Enkhuizen – Lelystad – 30 km (via Urk)
In Enkhuizen, board a ferry (only in summer months) and cross IJsselmeer to Urk, a close-knit and religious community of fishermen. Urk and neighbouring Schokland used to be islands in the Zuiderzee. Due to regular floods caused by rising sea levels, living conditions were harsh and the destitute islanders eventually had to be evacuated (Schokland: 1859). In 1942 the islands were incorporated into a new polder and people moved in again. The new polder was called Noordoostpolder and it is one of the polders created during the Zuiderzee Works in the 20th century. You’ll note that Schokland lies higher than the surrounding polder land. In a way, it symbolizes the battle against the water of the people of the Netherlands. Schokland is 4.5 km long and 400 m wide. After Schokland you will cycle to Lelystad. Lelystad boasts two very interesting museums as well as Batavia Outlet Shopping Center. Museum Nieuwland explains all about why and how the Zuiderzee was turned into a lake and how land was reclaimed in the lake. Bataviawerf Museum is also great for kids. It’s a shipyard where you can observe the building of a life-sized replica of a 17th century navy ship. Best of all, you can board and tour the finished replica of the Batavia, a 17th century carrying ship. In low season, when the ferry to Urk is not going, you need to cycle across a 32 km dike towards Lelystad.

Please note that until further notice the cycle path on the dike is partly closed due to construction works. There is a shutte bus you can take (incl. bike). You will receive more information in your travel documents.

Day 6 Lelystad – Hulshorst – 35 km
After Lelystad, you will cycle the width of Flevoland, on ‘new land’, past farms and fields and through the woods to Harderwijk, back on the ‘mainland’.
This is where the Dolphinarium can be found, Europe’s largest zoo for marine mammals. Children and adults alike will enjoy spectacular shows with dolphins, walruses, sea lions and sharks. After Harderwijk it is only a short distance to Hulshorst where you can relax at the hotel by the pool.

Day 7 Hulshorst – Amersfoort – 48 km
From Hulshorst, pedal to the banks of the Veluwerandmeren lakes and make your way to Amersfoort. The greatest charm of this stretch of the route is the mix of woods, water and polderland.

Day 8 Return Home
After breakfast in your hotel it’s time to go home.