Lake Yssel Road Cycling Loop
Real challenge for the road cycling enthusiasts with distances north of 100 kilometers on some days
Cycling across the biggest straight dike, a major highlight of the region
Lake Yssel is an engineering marvel of Holland, as it borders on the North Sea
32 kilometers long dam, called Afsluitdijk, that never ceases to amaze
Discover Holland's liquid heart on wheels.
The perfect loop for road cycling enthusiasts.
Embrace Holland's scenic road cycling routes.
From dunes to towns, Lake Yssel awaits.
Ride the mesmerizing shores of Lake Yssel.
Itinerary
Are you ready to explore the charming fishing villages north of Amsterdam? The adventure starts in Zaandam.
Pedal through the Twiske nature reserve and reach the stunning Lake Yssel. En route, take a break at one of the historic fishing villages, and indulge in a slice of Dutch cake or bitterbal and a refreshing drink. Your first day culminates in the center of the enchanting harbor town of Enkhuizen.
80km
Hotel in Enkhuizen
Gear up for an epic century ride packed with fascinating landmarks. Kick off the day by conquering the western end of the Afsluitdijk, a 20-mile-long dike separating Lake Yssel from the North Sea.
As you cycle south through Friesland, the unusual road with land on both sides lying beneath it is an incredible sight to behold. Tonight, bask in the beauty of the ‘Venice of the North‘ as you stay in Giethoorn. You can take a relaxing ride on the canals in the afternoon.
165km
Hotel in Giethoorn
Ready to witness the allure of the eastern side of Lake Yssel? The route takes you through Kampen, a medieval Hanseatic town, and the fortified village of Elburg. Continue along the Veluwemeer, a long lake separating the ‘old’ land from another large polder, before reaching the historic fishing village of Spakenburg. Your final stop of the day is at a serene lakeside hotel in Huizen.
115km
Hotel in Huizen
The last day of the tour takes you along the picturesque lakeside bicycle path to Muiden, home to a magnificent medieval castle. Admire the grandeur of Amsterdam as you ride past the city on the western side. The finale of your journey awaits in Zaandam. The unforgettable cycle trip around Lake Yssel will be complete!
60 km
Pricing
Included in price
Tour design and organization
Booklet with detailed itinerary and route instructions
Service and support during your tour
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Accommodation as per itinerary
Luggage transfer
Optional Extras
Description
Lake Yssel, also known as IJsselmeer, is a unique body of water in the Netherlands that posed a challenge for centuries. Its proximity to the North Sea meant that the surrounding land was regularly flooded and sometimes even disappeared completely due to storms and high tides. However, through the perseverance and hard work of the local people and innovative water engineering, the land was gradually regained over time.
To put an end to the constant flooding and unstable conditions, the Dutch began a massive project in 1927 to enclose the inner sea by constructing a 32 km/20 mile long dam known as the Afsluitdijk. This engineering marvel was completed in 1932 with the help of 5,000 laborers and the shifting of 36 million cubic meters of sand and clay. Today, cycling across this long, straight dike is a major highlight of the region and showcases the Dutch ingenuity and determination in taming the unpredictable waters.
A major road cycling challenge is in front of you. Long days in the saddle will go by in no time, as you will be surrounded with fantastic nature and views all over the place. Plus, if you get lucky and the wind will blow in your back, you will fly to the finish line.
Location
Average weather forecast
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (°F) | 41 | 43 | 48 | 57 | 61 | 66 | 70 | 72 | 64 | 59 | 50 | 45 |
| Low (°F) | 36 | 36 | 39 | 43 | 48 | 54 | 57 | 59 | 54 | 48 | 43 | 39 |
| Rain (in) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High (°C) | 5 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Low (°C) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 |
| Rain (mm) | 47 | 43 | 37 | 18 | 30 | 43 | 52 | 55 | 45 | 44 | 42 | 54 |
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