--- title: "Cycling in the Netherlands - how do you plan a bicycle tour through the flattest cycling country?" description: "Cycling in the Netherlands as a bicycle tourer - LF routes, the junction network, wind, where to sleep, trains with a bike and the best season to ride." canonical_url: "https://cycleplanet.org/blog/cycling-in-the-netherlands" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://cycleplanet.org/llms.txt) Cycling in the Netherlands is about as easy as bicycle touring gets: the country is small, almost completely flat and covered in separated bike paths, so you can ride for days without sharing the road with cars. The real challenges are the wind, the weather and finding a place to sleep in a densely populated country. This guide covers the routes, how to navigate, where to sleep and what to expect, so you can plan your own tour. ## Is the Netherlands good for bicycle touring? Yes, and it works for every level. Most of the country lies at or below sea level; only the far south, in Limburg, has real hills, and even those are short. Cycle paths are everywhere, often physically separated from the road, and drivers are used to bikes. You can ride from one coast to the German border in a few days, which makes the Netherlands a good first tour or a relaxed stretch on a longer trip through Europe. What it lacks is wilderness. You are rarely far from a village, a farm or a town, which is good news for supplies and repairs but means you won't find empty landscapes. Expect polders, dykes, rivers, dunes, heath and forest in small, varied pieces. ## Which cycling routes should you follow in the Netherlands? You have two systems to choose from, and you can mix them. ### The LF routes The LF routes (landelijke fietsroutes, national cycle routes) are long-distance routes signposted across the country. Well-known examples are the LF Kustroute along the North Sea coast and routes that follow the big rivers. Several LF routes are also part of the EuroVelo network, such as EuroVelo 12 (North Sea Cycle Route) along the coast and EuroVelo 15 along the Rhine. If you are crossing Europe, you will probably ride into the Netherlands on one of these. ### The junction network (knooppunten) The other system is the cycling junction network. Every junction has a number, and signposts point you to the next numbered junction. You plan a route as a list of numbers, write it on a piece of tape on your handlebar and follow the signs. It is a very relaxed way to navigate and lets you build your own route through the quietest areas. Route planners and many navigation apps support the junction numbers. ## What is the best time to cycle in the Netherlands? Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable period, roughly May to September. Days are long, campsites are open and the weather is usually mild. April is famous for the flower fields around the bulb region, but it can still be cold and wet. Rain is possible in every month, so pack proper rain gear regardless of the season. The bigger factor is wind: the prevailing wind often comes from the west or southwest, and on open polders and dykes a strong headwind can halve your speed. If your route is flexible, check the forecast and ride with the wind when you can. Winter touring is possible but short days, cold rain and closed campsites make it a lot less fun. ## Where can you sleep on a bicycle tour in the Netherlands? Sleeping is the part that needs the most planning. Your main options: - **Campsites.** There are many, from large holiday parks to small farm campsites. Small campsites tend to be quieter and cheaper, and many welcome cyclists with a small tent. - **Nature campsites and simple pitches.** Some organisations run basic sites in nature areas, sometimes for members only. Check the conditions before you go. - **Hostels, B&Bs and hotels.** Plentiful in towns, but they can fill up in summer and on weekends. - **Staying with locals.** Hospitality networks for cyclists, where people host touring cyclists for a night, are popular in the Netherlands. On Cycle Planet you can find cyclists who host each other; [create a free account](https://cycleplanet.org/register) to get in touch and read the [community guidelines](https://cycleplanet.org/guidelines) first. Wild camping is generally not allowed in the Netherlands, and with so little unused land it is also hard to do discreetly. Rules can differ per municipality and nature area, so check the current situation on the [Netherlands country page](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/netherlands) and with local sources rather than assuming it is fine. ## Getting around: trains, bike shops and practical tips The Dutch train network is dense, and you can generally take a bike on most trains with a separate bike ticket, outside the rush hours. Rules on times and ticket types can change, so check with the railway before you travel. Folding bikes are usually treated differently from full-size bikes. A few other things worth knowing: - **Bike shops are everywhere.** Even small towns usually have one, so spare parts and repairs are rarely a problem. - **Lock your bike well.** Bicycle theft is common in cities. Use a good lock and, if possible, lock to something fixed. - **Follow the local traffic culture.** Dutch cyclists ride fast and confidently. Keep right, signal with your hand and watch out for mopeds and e-bikes on the bike paths. - **Ferries are part of the network.** Small bike ferries cross rivers and canals in many places, and some only run in the season. For water taps, campsites and other useful places, have a look at the [map with points of interest](https://cycleplanet.org/map). If you know a good spot that is missing, you can add it yourself so the next cyclist finds it too. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do you need a visa to cycle in the Netherlands? The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen rules apply. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Check the official Dutch government information or the embassy in your country before you travel, and see the country page for the basics. ### How many days do you need to cycle across the Netherlands? The country is small: crossing it from the coast to the eastern border is a few days of riding at a relaxed pace. A loop that includes the coast, the rivers and a few cities easily fills one to two weeks. ### Is cycling in the Netherlands safe? The infrastructure is among the safest anywhere for cyclists. The main risks are busy city bike paths, fast e-bikes and not being used to Dutch traffic rules. Ride predictably and take your time in cities. ### Can you combine the Netherlands with other countries? Easily. The EuroVelo routes continue into Belgium and Germany, and many tourers start a longer trip through Europe here. If you are heading south towards the sun, our guide to [bicycle touring in Portugal](https://cycleplanet.org/blog/bicycle-touring-portugal) covers a very different coast at the other end of Europe. ## Plan your tour Cycling in the Netherlands is relaxed, well signposted and suitable for any experience level, as long as you prepare for wind, rain and limited sleeping options. For visa basics, safety and tips from other cyclists, start with the [Netherlands country page](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/netherlands) on Cycle Planet. ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](https://cycleplanet.org/sitemap.md) for all pages.