Amsterdam and Lake IJssel Cycle

Numerous highlights are packed into this carefully planned cycling route through the old fishing villages and trading towns situated around Amsterdam's Lake IJssel. As you pedal through classic Dutch landscapes, cycling below sea level at times, there is ample opportunity to visit the star shaped fortified town of Naarden and "Amsterdam Castle" (Muiderslot), along with Edam, famous for its cheese, the fishing village of Volendam, the island of Marken and the historical towns of Enkhuizen and Hoorn which flourished during the Golden Ages with the VOC (United East India Company). Explore the lakes of Friesland and the Weerribben-Wieden National Park with their rich birdlife, take in the Hanseatic cities of Kampen and Elburg and the old fishing villages of Harderwijk and Bunschoten-Spakenburg, where some locals still wear traditional costumes. If you plan to do just one cycle tour of Holland, this itinerary provides the quintessential Dutch experience.

Highlights

• Exploring the old fishing villages and trading towns situated around Amsterdam's Lake IJssel
• Cycling through classic Dutch landscapes
• Visiting Amsterdam and the Hanseatic cities of Kampen and Elburg

This trip involves 5 days cycling between 35 and 63km (21.7 and 39mi) per day, usually along paved cycle paths and quiet county roads across generally flat terrain. In and out of the towns and cities there will be some traffic.