The Netherlands - A Cyclist's Paradise

There's a reason why the Netherlands is known as the cycling capital of the world. With over 35,000 kilometers of dedicated cycling paths crisscrossing this famously flat country, Dutch cycling infrastructure is unparalleled. From picturesque canals and historic windmills to coastal dunes and flower fields, the Netherlands offers some of Europe's most diverse and accessible cycling experiences.

As we move into 2025, the popularity of cycling tourism in the Netherlands continues to grow, with both locals and international visitors seeking authentic Dutch experiences on two wheels. The country's commitment to sustainable tourism has resulted in improved cycling infrastructure, better signage, and enhanced facilities along the most popular routes.

1. Texel Island Coastal Route: Dunes, Beaches, and Wildlife

Distance: 56 km (full island loop), shorter options available
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Best time to visit: April to October
Start/End Point: Den Burg or ferry terminal at 't Horntje

Why It's Special in 2025

Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands, has seen significant investment in its cycling infrastructure for 2025, including improved signage and new rest areas. The island is set to host several cycling events this year, making it a hub for cycling enthusiasts.

Route Highlights

The Texel Island Coastal Route takes you through the diverse landscapes of Dunes of Texel National Park, a protected nature reserve covering much of the island's western shore. The national park encompasses shifting sand dunes, forested areas, heathlands, and pristine beaches.

Starting from the ferry terminal (where you arrive from Den Helder on the mainland), you can follow the well-marked route that circles the entire island. The northern section takes you through:

• De Slufter: A unique tidal inlet where saltwater meets freshwater, creating a remarkable ecosystem with salt-tolerant plants that bloom purple in summer
• Eierland Lighthouse: The island's iconic red lighthouse at its northernmost point
• De Cocksdorp: A charming village perfect for a refreshment stop
• Wadden Sea Dyke: Offering spectacular views across the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea

The southern loop includes:

• De Hoge Berg: A glacial deposit creating the island's highest point, surrounded by traditional sheep farms
• De Dennen Forest: A cool, shaded pine forest ideal for summer cycling
• Den Hoorn: One of the island's most picturesque villages with its white church
• De Koog: The main beach resort with access to wide sandy beaches

Practical Information

Texel is easily accessible by ferry from Den Helder (30-minute crossing), with departures every hour during peak seasons. Bikes can be brought on the ferry for a small fee, or rentals are available at multiple locations on the island.

What makes cycling on Texel particularly enjoyable is the lack of cars – the island maintains a comprehensive network of dedicated cycling paths separate from vehicular traffic, making it ideal for families and less experienced cyclists.

For 2025, new attractions include the expanded Ecomare nature center and several new beachside cafés that welcome cyclists.

2. Kinderdijk Windmill Route: UNESCO Heritage Landscapes

Distance: 43 km (full route), 28 km (shorter option)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: Year-round, but special illumination event in September
Start/End Point: Kinderdijk Visitor Center

Why It's Special in 2025

The Kinderdijk windmills celebrate their 750th anniversary of water management in 2025, with special events planned throughout the year. The UNESCO World Heritage site has recently upgraded its cycling facilities, with new bike-friendly rest areas and improved route markers.

Route Highlights

This iconic cycling route takes you through one of the most quintessentially Dutch landscapes, featuring 19 historic windmills dating back to the 18th century. The Kinderdijk windmill complex showcases how the Dutch have managed water for centuries, making it a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997.

The full route includes:

• Kinderdijk Windmill Complex: The star attraction where you can see 19 perfectly preserved windmills in their original setting along the canals
• River Lek: Following the scenic riverbank with views of passing ships
• Schoonhoven: Known as the "Silver City" due to its historical connection to silversmithing
• Nieuwpoort: A well-preserved fortified town with intact city walls
• Groot-Ammers: Home to the "Stork Village" nature reserve Het Liesvelt
• Alblasserwaard Polders: Peaceful agricultural landscapes showcasing Dutch farming traditions

For a truly magical experience, plan your visit during the annual Illumination Week in September (September 5-9, 2025), when all 19 windmills are illuminated in the evening, creating breathtaking photo opportunities.

Practical Information

The Kinderdijk windmill area is easily accessible from Rotterdam (about 15 km away), making it perfect for a day trip. You can:

• Cycle directly from Rotterdam along the well-marked LF2 route
• Take the Waterbus from Rotterdam's Erasmus Bridge to Kinderdijk (bikes allowed on board)
• Use public transportation to Kinderdijk and rent bikes on site

While the paths around Kinderdijk are open to the public for free, entry to the museum windmills requires a ticket (€20 in 2025). For cyclists, special discounts are available when showing proof of arrival by bike.

3. Vecht River Route: Golden Age Mansions and Picturesque Villages

Distance: 35 km (Weesp to Utrecht)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: April to October
Start/End Point: Amsterdam/Weesp to Utrecht (or reverse)

Why It's Special in 2025

The Vecht River Route has been enhanced for 2025 with new interpretive signage highlighting the historical significance of the riverside mansions. Several historic estates along the route have opened their gardens to cyclists for the first time this year.

Route Highlights

The Vecht River route follows one of the most culturally and historically significant waterways in the Netherlands. During the Dutch Golden Age, wealthy Amsterdam merchants built their summer mansions along this river, creating a landscape of extraordinary architectural beauty.

Cycling from Amsterdam (or nearby Weesp) to Utrecht along the Vecht River takes you through:

• Weesp: A charming fortress town with well-preserved historical center
• Muiden: Home to the impressive medieval Muiderslot castle
• Nigtevecht: A quintessential Dutch village with picture-perfect canal houses
• Vreeland: Known for its historic bridge and waterside cafés
• Loenen aan de Vecht: Where you'll find some of the most impressive riverside mansions
• Breukelen: The original town that gave Brooklyn in New York its name
• Maarssen: Famous for its concentration of historic country estates
• Utrecht Oudegracht: The final stretch along Utrecht's unique canal with wharf cellars

What makes this route particularly special is how it connects two major Dutch cities through a peaceful rural corridor that feels worlds away from urban life. The path alternates between both sides of the river, giving varied perspectives of the landscape.

Practical Information

This route is perfect for a one-way ride with a return by train (Utrecht and Amsterdam have frequent connections, and bikes are permitted outside rush hours). Alternatively, you can make it a multiday trip by staying overnight in one of the historic villages.

The route follows the national LF9 cycling route, which is clearly marked throughout. For 2025, new amenities include several bicycle cafés specifically designed for cyclists, offering bike parking, repair stations, and cyclist-friendly menus.

4. Waterland Route: Traditional Dutch Landscapes North of Amsterdam

Distance: 39-80 km (depending on chosen loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to visit: April to September
Start/End Point: Amsterdam Central Station

Why It's Special in 2025

The Waterland region has introduced a new cyclist-friendly initiative for 2025, with "bicycle hosts" stationed at key points during summer months to provide assistance and information to touring cyclists. Additionally, new sustainable rest areas have been built using traditional Dutch designs.

Route Highlights

Just a short ride north of Amsterdam lies Waterland, a region that perfectly captures the essence of traditional Dutch landscapes. This cycling route takes you through a patchwork of polders, dykes, and small villages where time seems to have stood still.

The Waterland cycling path includes:

• Durgerdam: A picturesque village with wooden houses along the IJsselmeer
• Ransdorp: Known for its tall medieval church tower visible from afar
• Broek in Waterland: One of the Netherlands' most beautiful villages with colorful wooden houses
• Monnickendam: A historic fishing town with a well-preserved center
• Marken: Once an island, now connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, known for its distinctive houses on stilts
• Volendam: A traditional fishing village that maintains Dutch traditions
• Edam: Famous worldwide for its cheese

The landscape is characterized by its numerous waterways, tiny bridges, and the ever-present sheep grazing on the lush green fields. This area is also part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising a ring of fortifications protecting the city.

Practical Information

The Waterland route is incredibly accessible, starting just 14 km north of Amsterdam Central Station. Multiple route options allow for flexibility—you can take a shorter 39 km loop or extend it to 80 km for a full day of cycling.

For visitors staying in Amsterdam, this route offers the perfect opportunity to experience traditional Dutch countryside without traveling far from the city. Several bike rental companies in Amsterdam offer specific Waterland route maps and packages.

In 2025, a new cycling hub has opened in Monnickendam with secure bike parking, charging stations for e-bikes, and an information center specifically for cycling tourists.

5. Coastal Dune Route: Scheveningen to Zandvoort

Distance: 44 km (one way)
Difficulty: Moderate (some sandy sections and wind)
Best time to visit: May to September
Start/End Point: The Hague/Scheveningen to Zandvoort (or reverse)

Why It's Special in 2025

The Coastal Dune Route has seen significant investment in 2025 with the completion of a new elevated cycling path offering spectacular views over the dunes and sea. Several new observation platforms have been installed at key points along the route.

Route Highlights

The Dutch coastline features some of Europe's most beautiful dune landscapes—a constantly shifting ecosystem where land meets sea. This coastal route connects the beach resorts of Scheveningen (near The Hague) and Zandvoort (near Amsterdam) through the spectacular dune reserves that protect the Netherlands from the North Sea.

Key highlights include:

• Scheveningen Beach and Pier: The Netherlands' most famous beach resort
• Meijendel Dunes: One of the largest connected dune areas in Western Europe
• Katwijk aan Zee: A charming seaside town with a unique underground parking garage built into the dunes
• Noordwijk: Known for its expansive beaches and flower fields
• Zuid-Kennemerland National Park: A diverse landscape of shifting dunes, beaches, and forests
• Zandvoort: A popular beach resort with a famous racing circuit

What makes this route special is the variety of landscapes—from wild, wind-swept dunes to manicured coastal gardens—and the constant presence of the sea. The route also passes through several nature reserves where you might spot deer, highland cattle, and numerous bird species.

Practical Information

This route can be challenging due to potential headwinds along the coast, but the path is mostly flat. E-bikes are a popular option for this route and are available for rent at both ends.

Both starting points are easily accessible by train from major cities, and bikes can be taken on Dutch trains (though avoid rush hours). The coastal route is part of the LF1 North Sea Cycle Route, which is clearly marked throughout.

New for 2025, several beach pavilions along the route now offer "cyclist packages" with secure bike parking, shower facilities, and special menus designed for active cyclists.

Planning Your Dutch Cycling Adventure in 2025

When to Go

The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate, with cycling possible year-round. However, for the most pleasant experience:

• April-May: Perfect weather for cycling with the bonus of blooming tulip fields
• June-August: Warmest months, but also the busiest tourist season
• September-October: Mild temperatures and fewer tourists
• November-March: Possible to cycle but expect rain, wind, and occasionally snow

Renting a Bike

The Netherlands offers extensive bike rental options:

• OV-fiets: Available at most train stations for short-term rentals
• Bike hotels: Many hotels throughout the Netherlands offer bike rentals specifically for their guests
• Local rental shops: Found in every city and major tourist destination
• E-bike options: Increasingly popular and widely available, perfect for longer routes

For more information on where to rent bikes for these scenic routes, check out our guide to bicycle rental in the Netherlands.

Understanding the Dutch Cycling Network

The Netherlands has a sophisticated cycling network with two main types of routes:

• Junction Network (Knooppuntennetwerk): A system of numbered points (knooppunten) that allows cyclists to create custom routes by following the numbers
• Long-Distance Routes (LF-routes): Signposted routes spanning longer distances, often connecting regions or even countries

For all the routes mentioned in this article, you can follow either dedicated signage or use the junction network system. Digital navigation has also become increasingly popular, with several apps dedicated to cycling in the Netherlands.

Learn more about navigating Dutch cycling routes in our comprehensive guide to the Dutch cycling network.

Cycling Etiquette in the Netherlands

Cycling in the Netherlands comes with its own set of unwritten rules:

• Stay on the right, pass on the left
• Use hand signals when turning
• Respect traffic lights and signs
• Ring your bell instead of shouting when passing
• Don't block cycling paths when stopping
• Be particularly careful in urban areas where cycling traffic can be intense

Essential Gear for Scenic Routes

For the best experience on these scenic routes, we recommend:

• A comfortable bike suited to longer distances (hybrid or touring bike)
• Waterproof panniers or bags for personal items
• Basic repair kit and pump
• Waterproof clothing (the Dutch weather can change quickly)
• Sunscreen (even on cloudy days)
• Reusable water bottle
• Camera for capturing the stunning landscapes

Browse our complete collection of cycling gear designed specifically for Dutch conditions.

Beyond the Top 5: Honorable Mentions

While our top five routes showcase the best of Dutch cycling, several other routes deserve mention:

• Flower Route (Bollenstreek): Best in April-May when the tulip fields bloom
• Green Heart Route: Through the rural area between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht
• Biesbosch National Park Route: Through one of the largest freshwater tidal wetlands in Europe
• Hoge Veluwe National Park Trails: Offering a rare hilly terrain in this flat country
• Utrecht Region Castle Route: Connecting historic castles and estates around Utrecht

Conclusion: Experiencing the Netherlands at Cycling Pace

There's simply no better way to experience the Netherlands than by bicycle. These five scenic routes offer a perfect introduction to the diversity of Dutch landscapes, from coastal dunes and historic windmills to river vistas and traditional villages.

What makes cycling in the Netherlands so special is not just the quality of the infrastructure or the flatness of the terrain—it's the way cycling allows you to experience the country at a perfect pace. Fast enough to cover meaningful distances, yet slow enough to appreciate the details, cycling connects you with the landscape and culture in a way that no other form of transportation can match.

Whether you're an experienced cyclist looking for multiday adventures or a casual rider seeking a half-day excursion from a major city, the Netherlands offers routes to suit all preferences. As 2025 brings new cycling investments and initiatives throughout the country, there's never been a better time to explore the Netherlands on two wheels.

We'd love to hear about your experiences on these routes! Share your photos and stories with us on social media using #XbenbikeNetherlands or in the comments section below.