Go Beyond the Route

Gaasterland, in the southwest of Friesland, is a remarkable exception to the otherwise flat Dutch landscape. The name Gaasterland literally means “land of sandy ridges.” Here, rolling hills, green cliffs, extensive woodlands and centuries-old country estates create a distinctive landscape. These unique features were shaped by a combination of geological processes, water dynamics and centuries of human influence.

This 56-kilometre cycling route takes you from historic Veenhuizen through the traditional Norger esdorp landscape to the vast Fochteloërveen nature reserve. Along the way, you cycle past open fields, wooded banks, traditional brink villages and prehistoric megalithic tombs, with stories of the legendary “Witte Wieven” adding a touch of mystery to the journey. In the quiet peatlands of Fochteloërveen, one of the last remaining raised bog areas in Western Europe, traces of peat extraction and land reclamation bear witness to the harsh conditions of the past. The route ends in Veenhuizen, where monumental former colony buildings still recall an era shaped by labour, discipline and the belief in a better life.

The Noardlike Fryske Wâlden National Landscape, located in the northeast of Friesland, is a rare example of a small-scale cultural landscape shaped over centuries. Covering more than 25,000 hectares, this unique area offers an insight into how people and nature have worked together to create a harmonious landscape of wooded banks, alder hedgerows, small ponds, pingo remnants and flower-rich meadows.

Middag-Humsterland, located northwest of the city of Groningen, is one of the oldest surviving and clearly recognisable cultural landscapes in the Netherlands. This 46-kilometre cycling route takes you through centuries of history, water management, religious influence and social development. As you cycle through the region, you can experience the layers of history and culture that have shaped this remarkable Dutch landscape.

Terschelling, one of the Dutch Wadden Islands, is now a popular destination for nature lovers. This 45-kilometre cycling route across the island takes you through dunes, forests, salt marshes and historic villages. From early settlement and innovative forestry to the unexpected success of cranberry cultivation, Terschelling is a remarkable example of natural resilience and human ingenuity.

Cycling through the Southwest Friesland National Landscape takes you on a journey through thousands of years of history. Here, ice, sea, peat and human activity have shaped a landscape rich in stories. Dikes, lakes, terps and traditional farmhouses stand as enduring evidence of Frisian ingenuity and perseverance. This 58-kilometre cycling route takes you through a landscape that began beneath an ice sheet and has evolved into a National Landscape shaped by centuries of history, water management and agricultural traditions.

From prehistoric megalithic tombs to social ideals and traces of the Second World War, this 53-kilometre cycling route through Holtingerveld and the Colonies of Benevolence takes you through a unique landscape rich in history. Here, archaeological heritage, wartime history and pioneering social experiments come together, creating a fascinating journey through time and nature.

The cycling route through South Twente and Berkelland offers a fascinating journey through centuries of history, from prehistoric peatland paths and Roman farmsteads to medieval farming communities and innovative water-based agriculture. Located in the east of the Netherlands, this region is rich in history, diverse landscapes and examples of human ingenuity.

The Land of Maas and Waal, situated between two mighty rivers in the Dutch province of Gelderland, is a region shaped by centuries of water management, social decline and popular resistance. This approximately 55-kilometre cycling route takes you along dikes, traditional farmyards, destroyed settlements and places connected to the notorious Swartmaakers gang, revealing a landscape marked by both resilience and conflict.

This 51-kilometre cycling route through Southwest Salland and the IJssel Valley takes you through a varied landscape of historic country estates, old river channels, nature reserves, monasteries and traces of international history. Located between the River IJssel and Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park, the region offers a fascinating insight into centuries of human influence and natural change.

The cycling route through Salland and Luttenberg takes you through a varied landscape of rolling glacial ridges, green arable fields and gently flowing streams. During this 51-kilometre journey, you can almost cycle through time, following the traces of prehistoric hunters, Germanic ironworkers and reindeer hunters before discovering the stories of the courageous farmers who rose up during the Eighty Years’ War. It is a route where history and landscape come together, with stories hidden around every turn.

The Vechtdal in northeastern Overijssel is a diverse landscape shaped by the winding River Vecht, floodplains, river dunes, wooded banks, meadows and small arable fields. The extensive forests of Hardenberg Forest District, once planted for timber production, have evolved into a valuable nature area. Near the traditional brink village of Rheeze lie the Rheezerbelten, shifting sand dunes surrounded by twisting oak trees and picturesque changes in elevation. In the lower areas, marsh marigolds turn the grasslands bright yellow in spring. This is a land of forgotten battles, traces of French occupation and stories of the Klepperman, a traditional night watchman who once kept watch over the villages.

The Liemers and ’t Gelders Eiland regions in Gelderland offer a fascinating mix of natural beauty and rich history. This 50-kilometre cycling route takes you through a picturesque landscape where every turn reveals another layer of Dutch history. Along the way, you’ll encounter Roman forts, medieval lookout posts, tales of smuggling and even stories of royal invasions.

This 50-kilometre cycling route takes you through Eastern Flevoland and the IJssel Delta, two distinctive Dutch landscapes shaped by water and human ingenuity. Eastern Flevoland is known for its straight roads and geometric layout, earning it the nickname “drawing-board landscape.” Today, its wide-open views stretch across colourful fields, blooming orchards, bird-rich lakes and green polder forests. At the mouth of the River IJssel, the IJssel Delta combines flowing river water with peaceful polders, floodplains and ancient creek ridges. Along the route, expansive views alternate with intimate landscapes of swaying reed beds, winding dikes and historic waterside towns.

The Veluwe is known for its vast forests, heathlands and shifting sands, but it also hides a unique network of springs and streams known as “sprengen.” Centuries ago, these man-made waterways were dug to regulate water and power watermills, including mills used for paper production. Between the higher sandy soils and the River IJssel lie the Veluwe broeken, low-lying grasslands that were once prone to flooding and valued for haymaking and livestock. Today, they form a varied landscape of wet meadows, flower-rich grasslands, waterways and alder carr forests.

The Gooi and Vecht region is a unique blend of nature, history and cultural heritage. This approximately 50-kilometre cycling route takes you along the New Dutch Waterline, idyllic country estates and landscapes shaped by centuries of peat extraction. It is a region where defence, urban development and nature have influenced one another for centuries, creating a fascinating landscape rich in history and character.

This 53-kilometre cycling route through the Land of Leeghwater and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Beemster takes you through one of the greatest feats of Dutch water engineering. The landscape reflects the centuries-old struggle against water and the ingenuity with which the Netherlands has transformed and reclaimed its land.

The cycling route through Hollands Kroon and the former island of Wieringen takes you through a landscape with deep historical roots. From glacial hills and Viking stories to carefully planned polders and historic dikes, this route connects nature, archaeology, water management and history. Together, Hollands Kroon and Wieringen form a unique region where you can quite literally cycle through centuries of history.

The Kromme Rijn region and Schalkwijk Island form a landscape where traces of Romans, Vikings, farmers, knights and water engineers have been preserved. This 51-kilometre cycling route takes you through a region that has been strategically, economically and agriculturally important for more than 2,000 years, where the past and present continue to shape one another.

De Maashorst in North Brabant, together with the Hidden Raam Valley, forms one of the Netherlands’ most fascinating landscapes. The region preserves millions of years of geological history, unique natural features and remarkable archaeological discoveries, while its thriving ecosystem provides a home for ancient breeds of grazing animals that have been reintroduced to the area.

De Meinweg National Park is an exceptional geological and ecological landscape in the Netherlands. After centuries of land reclamation and industrialisation, De Meinweg was officially designated a national park in 1995. This 55-kilometre cycling route through the park introduces you to a landscape shaped by geological shifts, human activity and remarkable natural resilience.

The Barony of Breda, located in West Brabant near the Belgian border, is a region rich in cultural heritage, natural beauty and intriguing stories. This approximately 55-kilometre cycling route takes you through ancient woodlands, aristocratic estates, historic smuggling routes, heathland pools and villages such as Gilze. As you cycle through the landscape, you’ll discover traces of princes, farmers, soldiers and smugglers, revealing the many layers of the region’s fascinating past.

The Kempen and the Acht Zaligheden form a region where nature, myth and conflict come together. From the legendary flying goats of the Bokkenrijders to royal falcons and political battles, this 50-kilometre cycling route takes you on a journey through the soul of a region shaped by extraordinary stories, humble lives and centuries of change.

The Limburg Hills and Vaalserberg form a landscape where millions of years of geological processes meet thousands of years of human history. Rolling hills, sunken lanes, wooded banks, wayside crosses and traditional timber-framed houses create a landscape rich in stories. This 46-kilometre cycling route takes you through a hilly region once covered by the sea, where layers of rock were formed and centuries of human history remain deeply rooted in the landscape.

Kempenland-West was once a vast sandy landscape crossed by streams. From prehistoric times onwards, farmers settled on the higher sandy ground, while the region remained poor and isolated for centuries. This changed in the 19th century with the creation of De Utrecht Estate, where forestry, agriculture and nature were brought together. Today, the route takes you through a varied landscape featuring natural areas and artworks that reflect the connection between people and their surroundings. A touch of magic comes from the local legend of the Gnome of Rovertsche Heide, said to appear whenever nature is disturbed.

This 49-kilometre cycling route takes you through the Loonse and Drunense Dunes, the Moerputten nature reserve and the area around the IJzeren Man. Together, these landscapes form a varied mix of shifting sands, pine forests, heathlands and recreational lakes. Along the way, traces of sand drifting, leather tanning, the shoe industry and Camp Vught reveal how nature, industry and wartime history are deeply intertwined. The personal story of Bart Pijnenburg, a survivor of the concentration camps, highlights the hardships endured in the camps and the lasting trauma carried by those who survived. This makes the route not only a journey through nature, but also a moving encounter with a difficult and deeply human chapter of history.