Oostvaarderstrappen

Description

You warm your legs on a loop through the shelter of Hollandsche Hout. Then you turn onto the Knardijk, built over 70 years ago to drain the Flevopolder. Cycling up the dyke, you feel the pioneering spirit of the fortune-hunters who created the land. The Eastern Flevoland polder was completed in 1957, with the adjacent Southern Flevoland following in 1968. The largest artificial island in the world was thus a reality. From the dike, you can see how deep the new land is below sea level!

Near Zeewolde, you dive into the Horsterwold, with 3,700 hectares one of the largest continuous deciduous forests in the Netherlands. At the southernmost point of the route, you skim along the Veluwerandmeren at recreation area Erkemederstrand. Time to set course back to Lelystad.

After a second stage through Horsterwold, you turn onto a cycle path that meanders gently between meadows with Hereford cows. This is the eight-kilometre route through De Grote Trap, a new nature strip between Zeewolde and Almere. Where a wide motorway was once planned, this entertaining cycle path was opened two years ago.

In the finale of your ride, you may enjoy the Oostvaardersplassen, the well-known area with its large grazers. Together with the Marker Wadden, the area is part of the new National Park Nieuw Land. You meander near Almere along the Jan van den Boschpad with magisterial views of marshes, water features and bird swarms. Then you turn onto the smooth asphalt of the cycle path on the Oostvaardersdijk. As you pace, enjoy the views of the shimmering Markermeer and sparkling Oostvaardersplassen. On the water, boats bob. Then turn back onto the Knardijk, whose cobblestones still exude the pioneer atmosphere.

By the end of the round, you will have cycled from coast to coast and looked out over both the Markermeer and Randmeren lakes. And that in 90 kilometres. Did you expect such a varied round in Flevoland?

Character
Distance: 96 km
Starting point: Oostvaardersplassen Outdoor Centre, Kitsweg 1, 8218 AA Lelystad.
★★★★☆ Bendy
★★★★☆ Green
★★★☆☆☆ Water
★★★★★☆☆ Open Flevoland
★★★★☆☆ Wind*

Coffee stop
Beach pavilion De Jutter, Erkemederweg 79, 3896 LB Zeewolde
Extra stop: get some fruit at Fruithal Smits

*Wind
No hills in the polder? That's right! But still, you can train your climber's legs on our very own Wall of Woei. Because we have no shortage of wind in Flevoland. However, we can help you avoid encountering the Muur van Woei too often (and having to ride quite an open stretch against the wind): ride this route clockwise with south and west winds (standard route). And anti-clockwise in north and east winds.

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

• The paths through Holland Wood are narrow. At blind bends, be mindful of oncoming cyclists.
• The paths along the Randmeren are narrow, cluttered and eagerly used by recreational cyclists. Bear this in mind and moderate your speed. The rest of this route is very quiet and better suited to cycling at pace.
• The Jan van den Boschpad (along the Oostvaardersplassen on the Almere side) is also eagerly used by recreational cyclists and walkers in good weather and on weekends. Bear this in mind and moderate your speed. Then turn onto the Oostvaardersdijk and you can pedal all the way to the finish.
• The Jan van den Boschpad(Oostvaardersplassen) is closed in winter to give the animals a rest. A diversion is then indicated.

Fun for partner/family
The route starts at the Oostvaardersplassen visitor centre. Several fun walking routes for adults and children start from this point. Not far from the start is Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet, the ship the Batavia and museum Batavialand. There is something for every age here.
The route goes through the Horsterwold, a beautiful nature reserve where there are several lovely walking routes.