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Around the Ijssel Lake by Bike & Barge

Around the Ijssel Lake by Bike & Barge

Around the Ijssel Lake by Bike and Barge – 8 Days

Type of tour: Guided
Level: 1
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 25 Miles/day average Dates: Jun 13, 27; Jul 18, 25; Aug 8, 15, 22, 2015
Tour price: €799
Start city: Amsterdam, Holland
End city: Amsterdam, Holland

Tour Description

This itinerary roughly follows the coastline of the former Zuiderzee, now called IJsselmeer. Lively harbor towns with lots of traditional sailing boats and a variety of landscapes are the ingredients of this remarkable tour. A 4 hour cruise takes you across the IJssel Lake to Hoorn. A short cycle tour gets you acquainted with this old Dutch harbor town. Surrounded by polder landscape, so typical for this region, you reach Enkhuizen. Here you embark for the crossing of the IJssel Lake to Friesland.

Starting in Lemmer you pass lakes, waterways and canals before you arrive in Ossenzijl, situated in the heart of national reserve the Weerribben. Cycling through this unique marshland in the Netherlands you reach Blokzijl or Vollenhove, two small towns formerly located at the Zuiderzee. Of course a visit to Giethoorn, Venice of the North, is part of the program. A round trip by ‘punter’ on the small canals of this restored village is a must. From Zwartsluis, a lively town situated on a crossing of waterways, a ferry takes you to the other side of the Zwarte Water (Black Water).

Cycling on top of the Kamper Zeedijk you reach the hanseatic town of Kampen. Passing the beautiful conserved fortified town of Elburg you cycle through moorlands and forestries before arriving in Harderwijk. Spakenburg is a traditional village, where you can still find people wearing their traditional costumes. The cycle trip takes you through the exurb of Blaricum to the walled town of Naarden. A round trip of the Amsterdam Canals might be a nice closing of your holiday.

Highlights

Highlights: Guided

  1. Amsterdam
  2. The former Zuiderzee
  3. Weerribben Nature Reserve
  4. Opportunity to punt on the canals at Giethoorn
  5. Hanseatic Kampen
  6. Spakenburg traditional village

Itinerary

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Arrival and warm-up ride (9 miles/15 km)
After your embarkation in Amsterdam, your boat sails through the locks to the Ijssel Lake. The sailing trip to Hoorn takes about 4 hours. In the evening, we will take a test ride in and around Hoorn.
Overnight in Hoorn.

Day 2: Noordholland and Friesland (19 miles/30 km)
Today’s cycle trip leads through the Noordholland scenery and villages such as Nibbixwoud and Hoogkarspel. In Enkhuizen we embark and make the crossing to Lemmer in the province of Friesland. In the evening your guide invites you to take a walk through this beautiful port.
Overnight in Lemmer.

Day 3: Lemmer – Ossenzijl (22 miles/35 km)
The province of Friesland is well-known for its numerous lakes and other waterways. That’s why today you’ll pass canals and ‘Tjeukemeer’ Lake. Your cycle trip ends in the tiny village of Ossenzijl, on the edge of the Weerribben National Park. We certainly recommend you to pay a visit to the visitor’s center of this natural reserve, which is unique for Europe. Following the Kalenberger canal, today’s cycle trip ends in Blokzijl/Vollenhove.
Overnight in Blokzijl/Vollenhove.

Day 4: Blokzijl – Geithoorn (25 miles/40 km)
The barge stays in Blokzijl/Vollenhove, as you pedal via Steenwijk to Giethoorn, also known as ‘the Venice of the North’. One of the possibilities here is renting a ‘punter’, a local boat, to take a trip. After leaving Giethoorn, we’ll pass the Beulaker Wijde Lake and, passing through Dwarsgracht, return to Blokzijl/Vollenhove. As an alternative you could spend the day on your own and make a trip by canoe or by bike in the natural reserve the Weerribben.
Overnight in Blokzijl/Vollenhove.

Day 5: Blokzijl – Kampen (38 miles/60 km)
Today we’ll pass the lakes Belter Wijde and Schutsloter Wijde on our way to Zwartsluis. In this lively town, situated on a crossing of waterways, it is nice to sit down on one of the many terraces. We’ll reach Genemuiden by ferry and cycle on top of the Kamper Zeedijk, an old dike, to the hanseatic town of Kampen. The ship will be moored at the Ijssel River.
Overnight in Kampen.

Day 6: Kampen – Harderwijk (28 miles/45 km)
Our first stop, a ‘must’, is in the splendidly preserved fortified town Elburg. After having passed Nunspeet, we enter the moorlands of Elspeet and the forestries around country estate ‘Huis te Leuvenum’. Finally we reach Harderwijk, a cozy port that is known for its dolphinarium.
Overnight in Harderwijk.

Day 7: Spakenburg – Amsterdam (35 miles/60 km)
The barge takes you to Spakenburg. This former fishing village has a traditional harbor and is known for its traditional clothing still worn by lots of locals. Next we will pass villadom Blaricum and cross the wood and moorlands of the Tafelberg. After a short visit to 14th century Naarden-Vesting, a fortified town. Alongside the IJ-Lake and via Muiden you arrive back in Amsterdam. In the evening you may wish to join the guide for a walk though the center or you may (on your own account) go for a round trip of the Amsterdam canals.
Overnight in Amsterdam.

Day 8: Depart from Amsterdam
After breakfast your guide and the crew will say goodbye, as your stay aboard has comes to an end.

Included Services

Included Services: Guided

  • Accommodation aboard a barge in the category booked (8 days/7 nights)
  • Full board (breakfast + packed lunch + 3-course dinner)
  • Rental bicycle with gears and pannier
  • Map with marked route
  • Information package
  • Tour leader
  • Several citywalks
  • Bicycle insurance in case of damage

Bike Rental

Bike Rentals: Guided
Bikes included in tour package price:

  • Hybrid touring bikes, 24-speed

All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

  • Saddle bag
  • Bottle of water

Pedals:
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Seats:
If you plan to bring your own seat, please ensure that it is a universal seat post.

Helmets:
Helmets are NOT available to be rented. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet, or purchase one upon arrival.

*If you do bring your own bike, there will be a 20 Euros discount off of the tour package price.

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