Bike Tour: Northern Lake IJssel Tour - 6 days

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 July and August 2018 the cycle path will be open.

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.