BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Castles and Fortified Towns - Bike/Barge Combo

By barge you head for Wijk bij Duurstede, a fortified town founded in the year 1500 BC. In National Park De Hoge Veluwe you visit the Kröller Müller Museum, which owns a fine collection of Van Gogh paintings.

From Arnhem you pass castle Rosendael and follow the river IJssel through Doesburg in the direction of hanseatic town Zuthpen.

Through the rural village of Lochem you cycle to make a stop for a visit to Mansion Verwolde. In Deventer you leave the barge and pedal on the banks of the river IJssel to the hanseatic town of Kampen. An evening walk through the historical centre shows you lots of monumental buildings.

From the hanseatic town of Harderwijk a roundtrip by bike leads through the moorlands and the forestries surrounding this lively port town. Spakenburg is a very traditional fishing village, maybe you can spot the typical costumes. Through the attractive port town of Muiden you cycle back to Amsterdam.

In the evening you can see and experience the glory and history of Amsterdam by making a round trip of the canals.

Some stretches of the route are partly done by barge, partly by bicycle.

Route: Amsterdam > Wijk bij Duurstede > Arnhem > Zutphen > Zutphen > Kampen > Harderwijk > Amsterdam

Tour Details

Day 1: Saturday: Cycle Trip, 15km
Embark in Amsterdam, then sail the Amsterdam-Rijn canal to Wijk bij Duurstede, the stop for the night. In the evening there's a short warm-up cycle trip in the vicinity, which passes the castles Zandenburg and Walenburg.

Day 2: Sunday: Cycle Trip, 50km
The barge sails the river Nederrijn to the lock near the village Heveadorp, where the cyclists disembark to start their cycle trip. You will cycle to National Park 'De Hoge Veluwe' and museum Kroller-Muller, where you'll find a fantastic exhibition of Vincent van Gogh paintings. A visit to the famous statue garden is also very worthwhile. The cycle trip ends in Arnhem, where the ship is moored in the river Nederrijn.

Day 3: Monday: Cycle Trip, 50km
Today you will cycle past Castle Rozendaal to the ferry near Rhenen. The ferry takes you across the river IJssel and the trip continues through the villages Doesburg and Brummen to the Hanseatic and walled town of Zutphen, near the river IJssel.

Day 4: Tuesday: Cycle Trip, 60km
Since the barge stays in Zutphen, you can do a round trip bicycle ride today. You will pass Castle Vorden and the rural communities of Ruurlo and Lochem. After a visit to Mansion Verwolde, follow the Twenthe Canal back to Zutphen. Alternatively you may wish to spend a day shopping and/or visiting museams in Zutphen. The Stedelijk Museum has an interesting cultural-historical collection that creates a telling image of Zutphen and its suroundings.

Day 5: Wednesday: Cycle Trip, 55 km
Today you sail by barge to the Hanseatic town of Deventer, where the cyclists disembark. Enjoy the picturesque views while following the river IJssel to Diepenveen, Castle Oud Rande and rural estate Hoenlo. After passing the village of Windesheim the trip ends in Kampen, a historic Hanseatic town.

Day 6: Thursday: Cycle Trip, 35 km
Today's motto is 'relax onboard' as there's a four-hour sailing trip to Harderwijk, where you'll stay for the night. In the afternoon there's a cycling trip through the rural area around Harderwijk.

Day 7: Friday: Cycle Trip, 60 km
By barge you will sail to Spakenburg. After the disembarkation you will cycle to Spakenburg, a former fishing village which is still famous for the traditional costumes. Via Castle Groeneveld in Baarn, bike across the lake area called Ankeveense Plassen to Castle Muiderslot. After a visit to this beautiful old castle, continue cycling to Amsterdam. In the evening you may wish to join the guide for a walk through the center or you may do a canal tour by yourself (not included in price). Overnight on board in Amsterdam.

Day 8: Saturday: Depart
Depart after breakfast.