The Best Road Cycling Routes from Amsterdam
- Joseph Stanley
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
Amsterdam is an excellent starting point for road cycling. Within just a few kilometres, you can leave the busy city behind and ride alongside rivers, windmills, polders, dunes, beaches and traditional Dutch villages.
Below are some of our favourite road cycling routes from our Amsterdam location. All routes are available on Komoot and are best viewed in the Komoot app.
Want the GPX file for one of these routes? Simply reply to your booking confirmation email with the route name or number.
1. Zaanse Schans – Windmills & Polders
Distance: 51 kmDifficulty: IntermediateEstimated riding time: 3h 05min
One of the best routes if you want to experience a classic Dutch landscape in a relatively short ride.
The route heads north from Amsterdam towards Zaanse Schans, famous for its historic wooden houses and traditional windmills. From there, you’ll ride through the Kalverpolder, an open wetland landscape filled with canals, meadows and birdlife.
Expect mostly paved cycle paths, flat roads and plenty of quintessentially Dutch scenery.
Best for: Windmills, traditional villages and classic Dutch countryside.
2. Marken – Waterland & Traditional Fishing Villages
Distance: 60 kmDifficulty: IntermediateEstimated riding time: 3h 30min
Head north-east from Amsterdam into Waterland, one of the most scenic cycling areas close to the city.
The route takes you through open countryside, wetlands and small villages before reaching the former island of Marken. Its traditional wooden houses, small harbour and waterfront make it an excellent place to stop before riding back towards Amsterdam.
You’ll also pass several Amsterdam landmarks and enjoy long stretches of quiet, mostly paved cycling paths.
Best for: Water views, picturesque villages and a scenic half-day ride.
3. Zandvoort – Dunes & North Sea Coast
Distance: 72 kmDifficulty: IntermediateEstimated riding time: 4h 15minElevation gain: Approx. 170 m
For a ride that combines Dutch countryside with the coast, head west towards Zandvoort and Bloemendaal aan Zee.
Along the way, you’ll pass historic Spaarndam, the ruins of Brederode Castle, wooded areas and eventually the dunes of the North Sea coast.
The coastal section around Bloemendaal and Zandvoort is particularly beautiful and provides a welcome change from the completely flat polder landscapes surrounding Amsterdam.
Best for: Beaches, dunes and riders looking for a longer half-day ride.
4. Muiden Loop – Castle Towns & Countryside
Distance: 34.5 kmDifficulty: IntermediateEstimated riding time: 2h 02min
A shorter option heading east from Amsterdam towards the historic fortified town of Muiden.
The ride combines urban cycling paths with quieter countryside and passes sights including De Gooyer windmill and Muizenfort before reaching Muiden.
There are a few cobbled or less-smooth sections along the route, but the majority is paved.
Best for: A shorter ride with a mix of history, countryside and Dutch towns.
5. Amstel & Rieker Mill Loop – Easy Short Ride
Distance: 21 kmDifficulty: EasyEstimated riding time: 1h 20min
Short on time? This is an ideal introduction to cycling around Amsterdam.
Follow the Amstel River out of the city and enjoy one of Amsterdam’s most popular cycling corridors. The route takes you past traditional windmills and quiet riverside scenery, with plenty of places to stop along the way.
It’s mostly flat, paved and suitable for riders who simply want a relaxed ride rather than a full-day cycling trip.
Best for: Beginners, evening rides and anyone with only a couple of hours available.
6. Zuiderdijk & IJsselmeer – The Long Ride
Distance: 154 kmDifficulty: ExpertEstimated riding time: 6h 23min
Looking for a proper day on the bike? This 154 km route takes you deep into the countryside north of Amsterdam.
You’ll ride through Waterland, along historic dikes and beside the IJsselmeer, passing traditional towns including Monnickendam and Hoorn.
Long sections run beside the water, making this one of the most scenic endurance rides on our list. Good fitness and experience riding longer distances are strongly recommended.
Best for: Experienced cyclists, endurance rides and a full day of Dutch road cycling.
Spring Specials: Tulip Cycling Routes 🌷
The Netherlands’ famous flower fields are seasonal. Tulips are generally visible from around mid-March until mid-May, with the exact timing depending on the weather.
For the most colourful experience, April is usually the prime period.
7. Bollenstreek Flowers & Dunes Route 🌷
Distance: 37 kmDifficulty: IntermediateEstimated riding time: 2h 15min
This route combines two of the region’s best landscapes: the flower fields of the Bollenstreek and the nearby forests and dunes.
During spring, you’ll cycle alongside colourful fields of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. The route also passes close to the Keukenhof area, but allows you to experience the surrounding flower-growing region away from the busiest tourist areas.
Further along, the landscape changes to dunes and forests around De Blink, where you may even spot fallow deer.
Getting there from Amsterdam
You can take your bike on the train towards Haarlem and join the route from there, adding approximately 13 km each way.
Alternatively, you can ride directly from our Amsterdam location at James Wattstraat, adding approximately 33 km each way.
Best for: Tulips, flower fields, dunes and a special spring ride.
8. Zandvoort – Tulips & North Sea Route 🌷🌊
Distance: 35.3 kmDifficulty: IntermediateEstimated riding time: 2h 06min
If you want to combine the Dutch tulip fields with the North Sea coast, this is the route to choose.
Starting around Zandvoort, you’ll cycle through the dune landscapes of Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland and along peaceful cycling paths near the coast before heading inland towards the flower-growing region around Lisse and Keukenhof.
In spring, the transition from wild dunes and beach scenery to vast colourful flower fields makes this one of the most varied rides in the area.
Getting there from Amsterdam
Take the train with your bike to Zandvoort, where you can join the route directly.
Alternatively, ride from our Amsterdam location at James Wattstraat, which adds approximately 27 km each way.
Best for: Riders who want beaches, dunes and tulips in a single ride.
Which Amsterdam Cycling Route Should You Choose?
For a short and relaxed ride, choose the Amstel & Rieker Mill Loop (21 km).
For a classic Dutch experience, ride to Zaanse Schans (51 km) or Marken (60 km).
For dunes and the North Sea, choose Zandvoort (72 km).
For a serious full-day ride, take on the 154 km Zuiderdijk & IJsselmeer route.
And if you’re visiting during tulip season, one of our Bollenstreek routes is difficult to beat.
Whichever route you choose, open the Komoot route before departure to check the latest routing and any temporary diversions.
Need a GPX file? Reply to your booking confirmation email with the route name or number and we’ll send it to you.
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