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Cycle around the largest Dutch lake, the IJsselmeer with stay in hotels. See great vistas and get to know many towns that were once situated at this former inland sea ‘Zuiderzee’.
Your holiday starts in Hoorn, where you dine in the old harbour overviewing the traditional sailing ships. You cycle along the coastline of the IJsselmeer in direction of Enkhuizen and from here you take the ferry across the IJsselmeer to Stavoren in the province of Friesland. The wide Frisian landscape surrounds you while cycling to the village of Rijs where you will stay overnight. The town of Lemmer demonstrates an atmosphere of boats and water. The itinerary passes the Tjeukemeer, goes through rural villages and ends in Ossenzijl. The hotel is situated in national park De Weerribben a unique marshland. Because of the many small canals and waterways Giethoorn is often called ‘The Venice of the North’. It is worthwhile to make a canal cruise with a ‘punter’.
The cosy town of Zwartsluis is situated at a crossing of several waterways. On top of the former sea dike that now overlooks the polderlands you pedal to the hanseatic town of Kampen. The small fortified town of Elburg is very worthwhile visiting. Crossing moorlands and forestries you arrive in lively Harderwijk. Your hotel is located at the marketsquare. Via the artistic village of Laren your trip leads to the Tafelberg moorlands and to the small walled town of Naarden. The river Vecht leads you to Weesp, your final destination. You’re only 20 minutes away by train from Amsterdam Centre.
You can start this tour on Saturday or Sunday from either Hoorn or Weesp.
If you prefer to start this tour in Weesp please click The Countryside IJssel Lake start Weesp (HYR)
Reservations allowed from 4 participants on.
Saturday: Arrival in the starting point, your hotel in Hoorn.
In the evening you have your diner in a restaurant in the centre of Hoorn. After your diner in a monumental building from where you can see the traditional sailingships on the Havenhoofd.
Sunday: cycle ride ± 35 km
After breakfast you leave for your first real bike ride: along the coast line of the IJssel Lake you cycle to Enkhuizen, another splendid port from the rich Dutch past. From here you make the crossing by ferry to Stavoren in the Province of Friesland (± 80 minutes). From Stavoren it is a one hour bike ride to your next hotel in Rijs.
Monday: cycle trip ± 45 km
From Rijs, the cycle trip leads via Lemmer. From here you ride along The Tjeuke Lake and several tiny rural villages like Echtenerbrug to Ossenzijl. You’ll be staying overnight in hotel ‘De Kluft’ located in the National Park De Weerribben.
Tuesday: cycle trip ± 40 km
Just outside Ossenzijl, you cycle in to the national reserve ‘De Weerribben’. Via Steenwijk, the route leads to Giethoorn, ‘Venice of the North’. You can make a cruise on the canals with a ‘punter’ ( a traditional barge especially used on these small canals) or just make a strol in this fascinating village. The next part of today’s trip leads straight across some huge lakes and ends in Zwartsluis, a nice little town situated at a crossroad of waterways.
Wednesday: cycle trip ± 70 km
You take a small ferry to Genemuiden and cycle to the hanseatic town of Kampen, a town full off monuments. After this town, the road leads to Elburg, a former fishing-town with a beautiful harbour. Your itinerary leads through heath land and forestries and finally ends in Harderwijk.
Thursday: cycle trip ± 50 km
At the beginning of today’s cycle ride there’s a huge area of woods and moorland, which you’ll be crossing till Nijkerk. You may wish to visit the local cheese farm or the steam pumping station and then head for your hotel in Eemnes.
Friday: cycle trip ± 30 km
Through Blaricum, a villadom, and the Tafelberg moorlands you arrive in Naarden-Vesting. This is one of the finest walled towns in the Netherlands. Following the pictoresque river Vecht, you reach the finish of your tour in Weesp. If you feel like visiting Amsterdam at night: it’s only ± 20 minutes by train!
Saturday: After breakfast you leave your hotel for you homeward journey.
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