Virtual Cycling Through the Netherlands
Ride your indoor bike through forests, alongside wide rivers and past historic fortified towns, all from the comfort of your home. Choose a route on Fietsroutes in beeld, start the video and enjoy an indoor workout with the feeling of cycling outdoors.
Frequently asked questions about virtual cycling
Virtual cycling is indoor exercise with outdoor scenery. While you’re moving on your exercise bike or cross trainer, our YouTube videos take you along real cycling routes in the Netherlands. No computer animations, but calm, steady footage of the real landscape, as if you were riding the path yourself.
- You follow the pace of the route on the screen
- You enjoy the nature and the surroundings
- You decide for yourself how long and how intense your ride is.
This turns indoor cycling from a monotonous workout into a relaxing moment for yourself.
Virtual cycling is very simple. Here’s how to get started:
- Choose a province or route that appeals to you
- Open the corresponding YouTube playlist
- Set the video to full screen
- Start your machine and move along at your own pace
No. The virtual cycling routes from Fietsroutes in beeld are free to watch on YouTube. You don’t need a subscription.
No. A basic exercise bike, cross trainer, treadmill or rowing machine is all you need. As long as you can move and have a screen with YouTube, you can cycle virtually.
No. The video gives you the feeling that you’re riding along, but you set your own pace.
Of course. Many people also watch the routes from the sofa to enjoy the scenery.
Yes, this can be especially helpful. You stay active while controlling the intensity yourself. Always consult your doctor or physiotherapist if needed.
Ready to Start Virtual Cycling?
Get your indoor bike, cross trainer, treadmill or rowing machine ready, choose a province and press play. Explore the Netherlands virtually with Fietsroutes in beeld, all from the comfort of your home. Whenever you like, at your own pace.
Groningen: old cultural landscapes and a rugged coast
Virtual cycling in Groningen means endless skies, long dikes and historic terp villages. Ride through peaceful landscapes where centuries old churches, traditional farmhouses and vast fields define the scenery. Explore the playlist featuring all 8 virtual cycling routes in Groningen.
Friesland: lakes, terps and wide-open vistas
Virtual cycling in Friesland takes you past lakes, canals and historic towns. See church towers rising above the flat landscape, ride along waterside dikes and enjoy Friesland's wide open scenery. Explore the playlist featuring all 10 virtual cycling routes in Friesland.
Drenthe: dolmens, heath and traditional villages
Virtual cycling in Drenthe feels like a peaceful journey through history and nature. Ride past ancient dolmens, purple heathlands, winding sandy roads and traditional brink villages. Explore the playlist featuring all 13 virtual cycling routes in Drenthe.
Overijssel: hedgerows, stream valleys and old farmhouses
Virtual cycling in Overijssel takes you through the rolling hills of Salland, the Vecht Valley and Twente's distinctive patchwork landscape. Forests, tree lined hedgerows, stream valleys and traditional farmhouses create a peaceful and ever changing scenery. Explore the playlist featuring all 21 virtual cycling routes in Overijssel.
Flevoland: new nature and clean lines
Virtual cycling in Flevoland takes you through one of the world's newest landscapes, with straight roads, open waters and vast polders. Discover how land reclaimed from the sea has gradually transformed into thriving nature reserves and recreational areas. Explore the playlist featuring all 6 virtual cycling routes in Flevoland.
Gelderland: rivers, floodplains and Veluwe forests
Virtual cycling in Gelderland takes you past rivers, floodplains, wooded ridges and forests. Ride through historic Hanseatic towns, past castles and across vast nature reserves. Explore the playlist featuring all 23 virtual cycling routes in Gelderland.
North Holland: dunes, polders and historic towns
Virtual cycling in North Holland means dune landscapes, polders and historic towns. Ride along dikes, locks and windmills, often with views across the IJsselmeer or the North Sea. Explore the playlist featuring all 10 virtual cycling routes in North Holland.
South Holland: coast, rivers and green polders
Virtual cycling in South Holland takes you past dunes, wide rivers and green polders stretching between towns and cities. Discover windmills, canals and historic village centres nestled between land and water. Explore the playlist featuring all 6 virtual cycling routes in South Holland.
North Brabant: forests, heath and charming villages
Virtual cycling in North Brabant takes you through forests, heathlands and charming villages. Ride along quiet cycling paths through a varied patchwork landscape, passing tranquil ponds and traditional long gable farmhouses. Explore the playlist featuring all 12 virtual cycling routes in North Brabant.
Utrecht: wooded hills, country estates and historic waterlines
Virtual cycling in Utrecht takes you across the Utrechtse Heuvelrug Ridge, past country estates and through historic fortified towns. Discover straight tree-lined avenues, elegant manor houses, drifting sand dunes and the remains of the historic Dutch Water Lines. Explore the playlist featuring all 6 virtual cycling routes in Utrecht.
Zeeland: sea dikes, high dunes and shimmering delta waters
Virtual cycling in Zeeland takes you past dunes, dikes and the Delta Works. Ride through a landscape of wide waterways, mudflats and salt marshes, discovering idyllic villages nestled by the water. Explore the playlist featuring all 6 virtual cycling routes in Zeeland.
Limburg: rolling hills, green valleys and half-timbered houses
Virtual cycling in Limburg feels unlike anywhere else in the Netherlands. Ride through rolling hills, past orchards and traditional half-timbered farmhouses, through river valleys and along quiet country roads. Explore the playlist featuring all 8 virtual cycling routes in Limburg.
Virtual Cycling Routes with Stories from Across the Netherlands
Cycling is about more than covering distance; it's a way to connect with the landscape and the stories it holds. In these story-driven cycling videos, local legends, cultural heritage and the formation of the landscape come to life. Natural sounds, relaxing music and subtitles gently guide you through each story.
These story-driven cycling videos are perfect for:
Recreational cyclists who want to discover more than just the route and distance, exploring the stories behind the landscape.
Nature lovers interested in landscapes, flora and fauna.
Culture and history enthusiasts who enjoy learning about the history and heritage of each region.
Indoor cyclists who use a stationary bike and want to learn more about the places they ride through virtually.
Whether you cycle occasionally or ride almost every day, these stories bring every route to life and add a deeper understanding of the landscape along the way.
