Northern Lake IJssel Tour [6-00]

Ride your bike on the loveliest and quietest roads and bike tracks a cyclist could possibly hope for. The historical landscape around the former Zuiderzee, the many old fishing and trading towns on its shores all have a story to tell. The diverse and attractive scenery on this tour will never cease to surprise and delight you. As on all our carefree cycle tours, we provide luggage transfer and excellent accommodation.

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Day 1 Arrival in Harderwijk
Day 2 Harderwijk – Enkhuizen – 63 km
Day 3 Enkhuizen – Oudemirdum – 43 km
Day 4 Oudemirdum – Zwartsluis – 61 km
Day 5 Zwartsluis – Harderwijk – 61 km
Day 6 Return home

Day 1 Arrival in Harderwijk
Harderwijk can be reached by train from Amsterdam Airport in approximately one hour and twenty minutes. Free parking at the hotel.

Day 2 Harderwijk – Enkhuizen – 63 km
The first leg of your tour will take you through Flevo Polder, the newest part of the Netherlands, reclaimed from the sea! The route takes you through woods and farmland to the town of Lelystad, named after the architect of the Zuiderzee Works, Mr. Cornelis Lely. Museum Nieuwland explains how the Flevo Polder came to be and how it affected the people who used to live by the sea. A 32-km dike will take you across the waters to the lovely town of Enkhuizen, steeped in history.

Please note that until further notice the cycle path on the dike is partly closed due to construction works. There is a shuttle bus you can take (incl. bike). You will receive more information in your travel documents. In July and August 2018 the cycle path will be open.

Day 3 Enkhuizen – Oudemirdum – 43 km
For a history lesson go to ZuiderzeeMuseum in Enkhuizen. It boasts a recreated village of old, complete with craftsmen in traditional costume. You can also learn about the trading routes sailed by seafaring villagers from the shores of the Zuiderzee: For centuries, dried fish and Edam cheese were exported all over Europe; grain from Poland was shipped to Italy; wine shipped back to Amsterdam etc. After that, all aboard the ferry to cross Lake IJsselmeer in 1 ½ hours, from Enkhuizen to the pretty town of Stavoren. The lake was created in 1932 when a closure dam was put in place to cut off the Zuiderzee from the North Sea. This was necessary to stop the sea from flooding towns and villages on its shores. Once the dam was in place, the sea had become a lake. You will disembark in Friesland province which has its own official language, bi-lingual road signs and its own specialties such as “Fryske Dumkes” (hazelnut biscuits). The length of this daytrip includes the boat.

Day 4 Oudemirdum – Zwartsluis – 61 km
In the morning, you will cycle through Gaasterland, undulating and woody, to your first port of call, the picturesque town of Lemmer, a favourite with boaters in summer. Next, it’s full steam ahead to a World Heritage Site – if you are a steam enthusiast this is your lucky day… Wouda steam-driven pumping station has been operational since 1920 and was used to drain a lake. For centuries, windmills took care of water management in the Netherlands before steam engines took over. Nowadays most of our 1600 pumping stations are electrically powered. In the afternoon, nature lovers will bask in the beauty of Weerribben-Wieden National Park where water and reeds dominate the landscape. It is said to be the most valuable marshland of north-western Europe.

Day 5 Zwartsluis – Harderwijk – 61 km
After exploring Zwartsluis, popular with boaters and other water sports enthusiasts, you will set off atop the old Kamperzeedijken (Kampen sea dikes) to the beautiful town of Kampen. It has one of the best preserved town centres in the country. Check out the town gates on the River IJssel side of town. Then hop back on your bike and follow the fringes of Veluwe Forest down to Harderwijk.

Day 6 Return home
After breakfast in your hotel, you will return home.

Starting dates: 
Daily from April 27 until September 25.

Prices 2019 p.p. Euro
Per person in a double room
5 nights’ accommodation, breakfast included      485,00
A supplement will be required p.p. for:           Euro
Single room   150,00
Dinner   150,00
Extra night (BB)   70,00
Bike rental   60,00
E-Bike rental   125,00
Emergency Call Out Service/Bike Breakdown Pass   13,75

Starting point:   
Harderwijk

Practical information:

5 nights Accommodation in *** or **** hotels
Breakfast (buffet)
If you book Half Board: an evening meal of at least three courses
In Amsterdam there are no half board possibilities
Parking, free at the Hotel
Luggage transport to your next hotel
Detailed route description and maps
On demand: Tour as GPS-file
Tourist information on all the places of interest
Saddlebags for carrying things you need on the road when having rental bikes
Seven days a week service-hotline
The possibility of renting our bikes(24 gears, bag and lock), e-bikes and trailers (at extra costs)
We adapt the bike to suit your wishes
Closest Trainstation, Naarden-Bussum

Included:
Accommodation in double room
Breakfast (buffet)
Tourist information on all the places of interest
Detailed route description and maps
Luggage transport to your next hotel (1 piece p.p. max 20 kg)

Not included:
Journey to the starting point of your cycle holiday
Journey from the finishing point of your cycling holiday back home
Cost of rental bikes and trailers
If you book Half Board: Drinks with your evening meal
Lunch

Accomodations

During this tour you will stay in the following hotels:

Harderwijk – Best Western Hotel Baars****
Enkhuizen – Hotel de Koepoort****
Oudemirdum – Hotel Boschlust***
Zwartsluis – Hotel Zwartewater****