Arrival in Harderwijk
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 the summer months the cycle path is expected to be open again.
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.
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.
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.
After breakfast in your hotel, you will return home.
Starting dates: |
Daily from May 1 till September 25. |
Price pp | € | |
Single room, breakfast | 635.00 | |
Double room, breakfast | 485.00 | |
Dinner | 138.00 | |
Extra night (breakfast only) | 70.00 | |
Rental bike | € | |
Child bike | 50.00 | |
Hybrid | 60.00 | |
Ebike | 125.00 | |
Extra services | € | |
Bike Breakdown pass | € 2.75 x 5 | 13.75 |
Child seat | € 5.00 x 5 | 25.00 |
Bike theft insurance | € 3.00 x 5 | 15.00 |
E-bike theft insurance | € 6.00 x 5 | 30.00 |
Add on bike | € 6.00 x 5 | 30.00 |
Child trailer | € 17.50 x 5 | 87.50 |
Bike helmet | per piece | 10.00 |
Starting point:
Harderwijk
Harderwijk - Best Western Hotel Baars****
Enkhuizen - Hotel de Koepoort****
Oudemirdum - Hotel Boschlust***
Zwartsluis - Hotel Zwartewater****
5 Nights included
3/4 Star Hotels
Breakfast included, Halfboard optional
Tourist information on all the places of interest
The possibility of renting our bikes
7-days a week service-hotline
Luggage transport to your next hotel
Harderwijk
Parking possibilities at the hotel
GPS-tracks availible
Any ferry crossings are not included
...Every hotel was expecting us and the baggage was handled without mistakes. We loved the week and had no issues with the company. Definitely loved the week and would love to come back and do it all over again...