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My tour

The Dutch Lowlands

Summary

Dutch polder cyclist bike path cows (2)

The evidence of the Dutch struggle for land can best be seen from the seat of your bicycle. Enjoy four days of cycling along waterways, green pasturelands and friendly Dutch villages.

Recreational, E-bike
5 days
180 km / 112 mi
€ 820.-
  • Typical Dutch polder landscapes
  • Lots of windmills along the route
  • Scenic and small-scale accommodation
  • Discount: 4-7 persons 5% | 8+ persons 10%

Gallery

Details

Type
Recreational, E-bike
Duration
5 days
Level
Easy = untrained, normal physical condition
Moderate = regular cyclist, good condition
Challenging = experienced, well trained
Moderate
Support
Individual: with GPS and map
Guided:  with cycling guide
Individual - GPS
Distance per day
40-60 km / 25-37 mi
Total distance
180 km / 112 mi
Lodging
Comfort = Comfortable 3 star hotel
Premium = Unique 3-4 star hotel
Comfort, (private bathroom & breakfast)
Luggage transport
In panniers on your bike (transfers optional)
Bicycle
Included
Dates
01 Apr 2024 - 15 Oct 2024
You can start this tour every day during this period
Booking for next season is possible (early booking is recommended)
Start
Haarlem (10.00 | 10 am)
Finish
Haarlem (16.00 | 4 pm)

Prices

Tour price
€ 820.-
Recreational bike
High quality multispeed bicycle included
E-bike
Bicycle with electric pedal assistance
€ 152.-
Optional
Daily luggage transfers
Total price per booking (not per participant)
€ 341.-
Optional
Upgrade to Premium hotels
Unique 3-4 star accommodation and setting
€ 212.-
Optional
Extra day in Haarlem or Leiden
Optional extra days
Optional
Single supplement (including single room)
€ 596.-

Itinerary

5 days - 4 nights
6 days - 5 nights option

Day 1 - Flatlands introduction
35km/22mi
The tour starts in Haarlem (15 minutes by taxi or train from Amsterdam). Our representative will meet you 10:00 (10 AM) at Haarlem railway station, or we can arrange a pick you up from Amsterdam.
After receiving route and equipment instructions, you leave the city and immediately start cycling into the Dutch flatlands with their typical pastoral green grasslands, dotted with cows, small villages and distant views. Your route continues westwards into the so called ‘Green Heart of Holland’, this is a region of canals, lakes and slow flowing, narrow rivers. Eventually you reach the lakes at Nieuwkoop and your accommodation for the night.

Day 2 – Southward to Gouda
42km/26mi
Today the route heads southwards, going deeper into the Green Heart of Holland. When cycling along the bike paths, ducks will noisily take flight while farmers in their blue overalls will look up from their work and greet you with a smile and a short “Hallo” – this is typical for Holland’s countryside. Along the route there are excellent stopping places to sit down on a beautiful café terrace, enjoying delicious Dutch coffee and a delectable slice of Dutch apple pie with whipped cream.
The route will also take you to the Medieval small town of Oudewater, which is known for its Witches Weigh house. During the 15th century, those who were considered light enough to fly on a broomstick ended up on the pyre. The ones on ‘the safe side’ received a “Certificaet van Weginghe” or weight certificate. As in the past, visitors can still stand on the large scales to determine whether or not you are a witch.

Day 3 – Loop tour along the windmills
40km/25mi or 55km/34mi
You stay another night in your hotel in the historic town center of Gouda. There are two cycling options available. Of course, don’t forget to take a stroll around the historic town center of Gouda, with its impressive light-colored limestone town hall, located right in the middle of the market square.
The shorter route option takes you past four windmills in a row, near the village of Groot-Ammers and you will also pass through the historic river harbor town of Schoonhoven, famous for its silversmiths’ workshops.
If you decide to take the longer route option, try leaving Gouda on time, because today you might want spend time off your bicycle. You will cycle southwards towards the River Lek. After crossing the river by ferry, you pass along the famous windmill group at Kinderdijk (UNESCO World Heritage Site). There are nineteen windmills in a row which are best viewed from the bicycle path running past them. To cycle through this site, you do not need to buy entrance tickets, but if interested you can apply for a guided tour at the entrance and see a windmill from the inside. Continuing your trip you find yourself in the Alblasserwaard polder, situated between the Rhine and Meuse (Maas) rivers that run from east to west.

Day 4 – Heading north to Leiden
35km/22mi
On the fourth day of cycling, you ride along one of the lowest polders in the Netherlands, over 6 meters / 18 feet below sea level! On your way to Leiden, you pass through the region of Boskoop. This small town is the center of a region that is famous for its nurseries, particularly woody plant and perennial nurseries, of which some 750 are situated on long stretches of land, divided by narrow canals. Before World War II almost all transport was conducted using narrow boats. A few exceptionally high footbridges crossing some of the broader (main) canals remain from these days. Your route finishes in the beautiful town center of Leiden, where your B&B or hotel is located near the historic city center. Today's relative short cycling distance gives you more time to explore the historic town centers of Gouda and Leiden.
>> If you want to extend your stay in Leiden we can arrange an extra night in the historic town center (view below).

Day 5 – Along the coastal dunes to Haarlem
40km/25mi
Your final day of cycling brings you to Haarlem. The route initially takes you to the fishing village of Katwijk on the North Sea coast. You now turn northwards, and cycle along a part of the famous North Sea cycling path, wending its way through the beautiful dunes. At the beach resort of Zandvoort, you continue inland towards the urban area of Haarlem before reaching the tour finish at Haarlem railway station. You can take the train to continue your journey (e.g. 15 minutes to Amsterdam central) or you can add an extra overnight in Haarlem.

>> Optional extra days
An extra overnight stay in Haarlem or Leiden, if you want to spend more time exploring the many attractions in the historic town centers.

Map & Routes

Map
Satellite

Bicycle

recreational Superb recreational hybrid bike (included)
- Various frame sizes for all heights
- Shimano Premium hub gearing
- Magura hydraulic brakes
- Schwalbe anti-puncture tires
- Fenders and chain guard
- Comfortable Selle Royal gel seat
- Ergonomic handelbar grips
- Front- and rear light
- Mounted lock
- Weight 16 kg / 35 lbs
- Optional: E-bike

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