7 days around lake IJssel

Depending on availability, your cycling holiday in the Netherlands will start in Huizen or Bussum. Take the time to get comfy in your accommodation and discover the surroundings.

On your first cycling day, you cycle along the south bank of the IJsselmeer, until you reach Muiden and it's Muiderslot castle. From there, it's a short trip to Amsterdam. 

After Amsterdam you'll cycle on a nice cycle path along the old estuary which takes you to Waterland, a region with thousands of birds, canals and waterways. 

In the village of Marken, houses are still being constructed in wood, as if time has stood still. From there, you can cross the lake with a ferry or cycle around it to reach Volendam or Katwoude.

Today you'll pedal along the dykes protecting you and the land from the Zuiderzee. You'll cross Edam (famous for it's cheese) and the old town of Hoorn, with it's many 17th century buildings, dating from the golden age. You'll sleep in Enkhuizen. Plan a walk in the town and a visit to the museum of the Zuiderzee is strongly recommended. 

Today you will cross Lake IJssel with a ferry to reach the city of Stavoren. There you can choose to add a loop to Hindeloopen (26 km extra).

You continue to pedal through the wooded countryside and the "valley" of Gaasterland until you reach Oudemirdum.

After a well deserved night's rest, you will pass in front of an old, still working steampump station, before you reach the national parc of Weerribben. This is a peatland wit a unique fauna and flora. 

Your hotel is located in Giethoorn, the spectacular "Venice of the Netherlands", with a myriad of bridges, arches, boats, and tatched roof farms.

From Giethoorn you will cycle to the Hanseatic city of Kampen, located on the river IJ. Passing the pretty fortified town of Elburg and passing many small lakes, you will reach your destination of Nunspeet, located on the edge of the Veluwe, the largest forest in the Netherlands.

On this last day, you will pass through the old harbour town of Harderwijk and the fishing village of Spakenburg before returning to Huizen via the vast Eempolder. On this stage there is a ferry crossing. On Sundays, the ferry does not sail, in which case you have to make a detour of about 8 km (see detailed documents).