Hybrid Bike
£77 for 7 days
The IJsselmeer was once the open Zuiderzee, home to thriving fishing villages, until it was dammed in the 1930s and turned into a vast inland lake. That history lingers everywhere on this loop from the Veluwe forests around Nunspeet, through Amsterdam and the old Zuiderzee ports, and back through the Frisian countryside — a ride through calm water, green polders and small towns that still feel a little frozen in time.
Highlights include the star-shaped fortress of Naarden-Vesting, the cheese town of Edam, the former VOC port of Hoorn, and a short ferry crossing to Friesland — carrying your own bike and bags aboard — before looping back through the peatlands of De Weerribben National Park and the historic Hanseatic city of Kampen.
Arrive in Nunspeet or neighbouring Elspeet, tucked into the wooded Veluwe landscape — old farms, green meadows and wooded banks give Nunspeet its nickname, 'pearl of the Veluwe'. Overnight in Nunspeet/Elspeet.
Ride via Harderwijk, once a Hanseatic city between the 13th and 17th centuries, where the old city walls, town houses and former university buildings still stand. Continue to Amersfoort, a town where history feels very much alive — wander its old walls and cosy shopping streets. Overnight in Amersfoort.
Cycle to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, via Naarden-Vesting, one of Europe's best-preserved fortifications, and the ancient Eemland bog. Along the way, the medieval castle of Muiderslot is well worth a stop, with an interesting exhibition and lovely gardens. Amsterdam itself needs little introduction — scenic canals, rich history and an iconic cultural scene. Overnight in Amsterdam.
Ride via Edam, famous for its cheese, then on to Hoorn, which likes to call itself 'the pearl of the IJsselmeer' and was founded in the 12th century, gaining international importance after the Dutch East India Company established a base there in 1602. Continue to Enkhuizen, a leading port during the Dutch Golden Age. Overnight in Enkhuizen.
Take the morning ferry from Enkhuizen to Stavoren, carrying your own luggage and bike aboard — a short crossing into typical Frisian landscapes. Stavoren has become well known as a stop on the famous Eleven Cities Tour. Overnight in the South-Frisia region.
Before leaving Lemmer, it's worth visiting the only pumping station in the world still driven by the original steam engine, capable of pumping up to 6 million cubic metres of water a day. The route continues through De Weerribben National Park, an ancient peat moor landscape, with the option of stops in Blokzijl or Vollenhove along the way. Overnight in Zwartsluis, home to the former fortress of Swartsluys, now a hub for watersports.
The highlight today is Kampen, a former Hanseatic city with more than 500 listed monuments — look out for the city gates, the 14th-century Sint-Nicolaas church and the gothic house. After passing the small reed-roofed village of Noordeinde, you're back in the Veluwe landscape for the final stretch to Nunspeet or Elspeet. Overnight in Nunspeet/Elspeet.
Depart after breakfast.
We recommend flying to Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam) and returning from Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam).
£77 for 7 days
£161 for 7 days
£42 for 7 days
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£126 for 7 days
Not available for hire
Getting to Nunspeet/Elspeet (start and end of tour)
By plane: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is served by direct flights from virtually every UK airport, in under 1 hour. From Schiphol, an Intercity train to Amersfoort connects to a regional train to Nunspeet, a journey of around 1.5 hours in total.
By train: The Eurostar runs direct from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal in around 4 hours, connecting onward to Nunspeet via Amersfoort.
By car: Nunspeet is around 500km from Calais, taking approximately 5 hours via the E19 and A28.
Bikes are not included. You are welcome to bring your own bike or hire one. Please see our bike hire section for details.
Flights are not included. Please refer to the what's included section for full details.
We will confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry. Please wait for confirmation before booking flights or making other travel arrangements.
Most itineraries include cycling on most days, with some rest or shorter days built in. Please check the itinerary for day-by-day details.
The latest you can book is 9 days before departure. This gives us enough time to confirm arrangements and accommodation.
You will receive full travel details, including accommodation, meeting points and local contacts, 3 to 5 weeks before departure.
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