Skip card

Cycling along the lakes

(85 km)
|
|

What is Flevoland known for? Long, straight roads where you can really put your foot down as a cyclist! So why not give it a go on this route? You’ll speed past the Oostvaardersplassen, the Vaartplas and de Noorderplassen. But be warned: this route also takes you along some lovely winding paths in Almere and Lelystad. Slow down a bit here and be mindful of other cyclists… Click on the ‘Description’ tab below for more information about this route.

Download the GPX route for southerly and westerly winds.

Download the GPX route for northerly and easterly winds.

You are going to see this

Description

Natuurbelevingcentrum de Oostvaarders

Oostvaardersbosplaats 1
1336 RZ Almere
Navigate to starting point
Natuurbelevingcentrum de Oostvaarders

You’ll warm up by winding your way along the Jan van den Bosch path, with magnificent views of marshes, water features and flocks of birds in the Oostvaardersplassen. Then you’ll turn onto the smooth tarmac of the cycle path on the Oostvaardersdijk. Go on, open the throttle! As you pick up speed, enjoy the view of the glistening Markermeer and the Oostvaardersplassen. A lovely stretch to boost your average speed.

On the winding cycle paths of the Hollandse Hout, you can ease off the pace for a moment to enjoy the shelter of the woods. Rejuvenated, you then speed along the smooth tarmac of the Praamweg straight through the wetlands. Gazing out over the grasslands, reed beds, woods and large herds of Konik horses, it’s hard to imagine that this area between Almere and Lelystad was once intended as an industrial zone.

You then turn onto a cycle path that winds gently through meadows dotted with Hereford cattle. This is the eight-kilometre route through De Grote Trap, a new nature reserve between Almere and Zeewolde. Where a wide motorway was once planned, this enjoyable cycle path opened two years ago. You cycle into Almere via the Vogelweg. Stadslandgoed De Kemphaan is definitely worth a stop for a coffee.

During the final loop, Almere has a few surprises in store for you. You’ll cycle beneath the cable car gondolas of the Floriade site, currently under construction, near het Weerwater , and ride through the dunes in the Duin beach district. After passing through the ‘ Lepelaarplassen ’, you can set off at full speed once more along the Markermeer on the Oostvaardersdijk. After a cool-down on the Jan van den Bosch path, you’ll reach the finish line at Natuurbelevingcentrum De Oostvaarders.

Character
Distance: 85 km
Starting point: Natuurbelevingcentrum De Oostvaarders, Oostvaardersbosplaats 1, 1336 RZ Almere
★★★★☆ Winding
★★★★☆ Green
★★★☆☆ Water
★★☆☆☆ Open Flevoland
★★☆☆☆ Wind*

Coffee stop
Restaurant DUBBEL-OP De Kemphaan
Kemphaanpad 8
1358 AC Almere
www.dubbel-op.nl

*Wind
No hills in the polder? That’s right! But you can still train your climbing legs on our very own ‘Muur van Woei’. Because there’s no shortage of wind here in Flevoland. We can help you avoid encountering the ‘Wall of Woei’ too often (and having to cycle a long, open stretch into the wind): cycle this route clockwise when there’s a southerly or westerly wind (standard route). And anti-clockwise when there are northerly or easterly winds.

A word of caution!
A number of comments and warnings apply to this route:

  • The Jan van den Bosch path (the first few kilometres of the route) is also popular with leisure cyclists and walkers at weekends and in good weather. Please bear this in mind and keep your speed down. After the Jan van den Bosch path, turn onto the Oostvaardersdijk, where you can go full throttle.
  • The Jan van den Bosch path is closed in winter to allow the animals to rest. A diversion will be signposted at that time.
  • The paths through Holland Wood are narrow. At blind bends, be mindful of oncoming cyclists.
  • At the end of Vogelweg, turn right to begin a winding section along the Vierbruggenpad and the Kerkuilenpad. These paths are narrow, winding and, by Flevoland standards, busy. Bear this in mind and keep your speed down. From the Hollandse Brug to the finish, you can get back to cycling at a good pace.

Great for couples or families
The route starts at the visitor centre of the ‘ Oostvaardersplassen ’. This is a lovely place for a walk. The route passes by ‘ Stadslandgoed de Kemphaan ’ in Almere. With attractions including a climbing forest, ‘ Stichting Aap ’ and ‘Almere Jungle’, there’s enough here to keep everyone entertained for a whole day. The route passes by Boathouse in Almere. This is also where Boei2 is based, where you can hire a lovely sloop or barbecue boat to enjoy a day out on de Noorderplassen. They also hire out Segways.

Natuurbelevingcentrum de Oostvaarders

Oostvaardersbosplaats 1
1336 RZ Almere
Navigate to end point
Natuurbelevingcentrum de Oostvaarders

Back

This website uses cookies

This website uses cookies (Functional, Analytical, Marketing) which are necessary for the website to function as well as possible. By clicking accept, you indicate your agreement with this.

Stay up-to-date weekly

Subscribe to receive the latest tips, events, facts and much more about Almere every week!