Holland & Belgium – Riding from Haarlem to Bruges

Day 1- To the historic town of Leiden – with a tulip route in April – 40km/25mi or 30km/18mi

Transfer to Haarlem, only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam. You will meet our representative for equipment delivery and tour instructions at 10:00 (10 AM) at the Haarlem railway station. As an alternative we can arrange a pre-tour night in the historic town of Haarlem from where we start your tour.

From Haarlem you cycle along the North Sea coast for the first time this tour. The route will take you right through the sand dunes on the smooth bike paths of the North Sea cycling route. Enjoy nature and keep an eye out for the small wildlife and birds that inhabit this peaceful region. Consider a stop for lunch at one of the seaside pavilions before continuing your way to the historic town of Leiden, home of over 2800 monuments.

• In April the flower fields between Haarlem and Leiden are in full bloom. During this month we offer a shorter route option through the famous Dutch fields full of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. The route also passes the Keukenhof Spring Gardens, the world’s largest flower park with over 7 million spring-flowering bulbs. If you want to fully enjoy the spectacular flower fields, you can add a full day of tulip cycling with an extra night right in the middle of this region. On the next day you pick up the route along the coast towards Leiden.

You continue your route into the ‘Green Heart’ of Holland. A typical Dutch landscape of green pastures, narrow waterways and well-maintained front gardens belonging to the many proud farmhouses. You cycle right through the beautiful Reeuwijk lakes area before reaching today’s destination Gouda. This town is famous for its cheese, candles and clay pipes. The historic center is dominated by a number of ancient churches and of course the imposing and beautifully decorated town hall, standing right in the middle of the large market square. Your accommodation for tonight is located within walking distance of the historic town center.

Today you cycle southwards towards the River Lek. After crossing the river by ferry you will pass along the windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here 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. After Kinderdijk you will cycle through the polders of the River Rhine delta before reaching the historic town center of Dordrecht, strategically located at the confluence of three rivers.

From Dordrecht you first cycle along the Biesbosch nature reserve. The silence found in this labyrinth of creeks and rivers is only disturbed by a variety of birds, the whispering wetland reeds and the zooming sound of your bicycle tires. This is cycling at its best! You now cross the most southern river bridge on the Rhine and Maas delta before entering the southern province of Brabant. You spend the night in the historic fortified town of Willemstad, named after ‘stadholder’ William III (or Willem of Oranje). The city’s seven bastions represent the seven Dutch provinces that had revolted against the Spanish crown in the 17th century.

Today’s route starts with crossing the Volkerak locks, Europe’s largest inland water lock complex connecting the Belgian Schelde river with the Rhine river in the Netherlands. The route continues onto the Zeeland isles. This most southwestern region of the Netherlands is characterized by open spaces, salt water bays, the impressive Deltaworks (Deltawerken) waterworks and cycle paths running along the tops of the dikes. Your accommodation for the night is in the former fishing village of Zierikzee with its iconic old port and historic facades.

The first part of the route passes the former fishing village of Zierikzee and also the Oosterscheldekering, which is Holland’s longest sea barrier with the most fantastic sluice system. Today’s route also takes you through the beautiful harbor town of Veere, one of the most important trading towns in the Netherlands during medieval times. Continuing southwards, you reach Middelburg, the historic capital of Zeeland. Your overnight accommodation is located close to the historic central square and harbor district.

The last day of cycling brings you to Bruges, the pearl of Flanders. But before you can reward yourself with a delicious Belgian beer, you have to cross the wide salt water Westerschelde channel by ferry. The last part of the route involves a tranquil cycle ride along the banks of a canal. This runs from the Netherlands-Belgium border village of Sluis to Bruges. Your hotel is located in a quiet part of the historic town center of Bruges. Here your bikes and other equipment will be picked up by our team.

Breakfast is followed by a 2-hour city tour with a local guide. Your guide will lead you along the highlights of this medieval city such as the historic squares and canals and of course the Belfry Tower. But the tour also includes lesser known places, often missed out by visitors. The tour ends at lunchtime so don’t forget to ask your guide for a good lunch recommendation! In the afternoon you can take more time to explore all Bruges has to offer.

• We can arrange extra overnight accommodation if you would like to spend more time in Bruges and/or a transfer back to Amsterdam.