Cycling and camping in the Netherlands: what you need to know

22 March, 2022

The Netherlands, or Holland as it is known to many, is a cycling and camping country par excellence! Cycling over dikes, along rivers, or over North Sea coastal path with shells crackling underneath your tyres. Wherever you are in the Netherlands, you will always see people on bikes. What should you know about cycling and camping in the Netherlands? Eleven questions and answers.

When I think of the Netherlands I think of vast green fields and windmills. Doesn’t the wind make cycling really hard?

It’s nowhere near as bad as you might think. Just like everywhere else, there are sometimes hard winds in the Netherlands. The wind is usually stronger near the coast and in an open landscape you will notice more of it. Fortunately, however, the cycling routes are very varied and often you’ll find there’s hardly any wind at all. There are plenty of bends to keep the wind at bay, or you may be sheltered by a dike, trees, bushes or buildings. You can check out the wind’s speed and direction on a weather app during the day and adjust your cycling route accordingly. Cycling through the vast Dutch landscape over dikes is highly recommended. The vistas go on for miles, the skies are stunning, and there are plenty of animals and birds to spot.

Campsites near Kinderdijk

I want to get on my bike and start a nice route right from the campsite, without having to drive anywhere first. Which campsites can you recommend that have great cycling right next door?  

Here comes the good news: your wishes will come true at just about any campsite in the Netherlands. The cycling infrastructure is excellent throughout the Netherlands with good cycle paths, cycle bridges, ferries and extensive signposting. There are also plenty of campsites. These sites are often located just outside a village or town. You can easily cycle from the campsite to the nearest town, or head into the countryside for a taste of nature. So choose the region or route that you would like to explore by bike, and then look for nice campsites in that location. You can also rent bicycles at many campsites in the Netherlands. And if not, the campsite owner will be happy to tell you where there are bikes for hire nearby.

Is there a handy app for mapping out routes?

Yes, there is! The app ‘Fietsknoop’ , which is available in English, French and Dutch, is really handy. In this app, you can map out your route via the Dutch cycle network. This network consists of many numbered cycle junctions (knooppunten in Dutch). You can cycle from junction to junction. This network of cycling junctions can be found throughout the Netherlands and even without an app it’s a great and easy system to find your way around. Many places have big signs with maps showing the numbered junctions in the area and the distance in kilometres between the junctions. There are also plenty of other signs and signposts to help you find your way. This means you don’t have to plan ahead. Just cycle where the wind takes you!

Are there also long-distance routes in the Netherlands? Which campsites are best for those?

There are several long-distance cycle routes in the Netherlands, such as the Kustroute (610 km) along the North Sea coast, the Zuiderzee Route (440 km) around IJselmeer lake, or the circular national route Rondje Nederland (1385 km). Because there are so many campsites in the Netherlands, a cycling holiday with overnight stays at different campsites is perfectly doable. Just keep the Eurocampings.co.uk website next to your planned route and plan your holiday. Looking for charging stations for your e-bike on the go? Visit fietsoplaadpunten.nl (website also available in english).

Some inspiration for cycling in the Netherlands:

• Cycling along rivers. The Netherlands is rich in rivers and canals which often have beautiful cycle paths alongside them. Follow the river Vecht or the river Maas, for example. There is a lot to see along the way and the numbered cycle junctions allow you to easily map out a great route from your campsite.
• Cycling through history. The Netherlands has numerous cycling routes along castles, mills, bunkers, or locations that were the scenes of historical events. If you would like to go cycling in Zeeland, for example, you can choose the 61 km Watersnood Route, commemorating the great flood of 1953, and visit the flood museum. History comes to life while cycling.
• Cycling through nature reserves. Explore the dunes of National Park South-Kennemerland near the North Sea, where you may encounter fallow deer and foxes, the shifting sands and forests of National Park De Hoge Veluwe or National Park Drents-Friese Wold, or any of the other stunning Dutch natural areas.

What about mountain biking in the Netherlands?

There are plenty of options for great mountain biking in the Netherlands. Although the Netherlands is a fairly flat country, there are plenty of places with hilly landscapes. Take the hills in South Limburg, the dunes on the North Sea coast, or the hills that were created by glaciers in the last ice age. These hills are known as moraines, and you can find them near Utrecht (the Utrechtse Heuvelrug), in the Veluwe, Nijmegen, Arnhem and in Twente (the Sallandse Heuvelrug). What the Dutch call a ‘mountain’ is often no higher than 70 or 80 metres, but the walking, cycling and mountain biking routes meander around the regions in such a way that you can sometimes make 400-500 metres altitude on one route. In recent years, more and more separate mountain bike routes have been constructed in the Netherlands especially for MTB enthusiasts looking for a challenge.

Campsites with mountainbike routes

Which routes are suitable with children?

Almost all of them. Many bike lanes are physically separated from the road allowing you to cycle safely. In rural areas you may have to share the road with cars, but the other traffic is usually alert to cyclists. Children travel to and from school by bike around 8:30 and 15:00-16:00. At those times you’ll see a lot of teenagers and parents with children on their bikes. Cycling with kids is also generally fine in the cities. Please do stick to the traffic rules, stop for traffic lights, and clearly indicate your direction. In Amsterdam, bicycle traffic can be chaotic and busy.

Small children can be transported on the front or back of the bike. You can rent bikes or e-bikes in a number of places in the Netherlands with a child seat, or even a covered bike trailer to transport children (or dogs).

What should I know about cycling in the city?

Dutch towns and cities have good cycle paths. Cycling from your campsite to the nearest Dutch centre is highly recommended. A few tips:

• City bike lanes can sometimes be busy. Keep your distance, indicate your direction, and use your bicycle bell when you want to overtake someone. There’s often little point in rushing, you’ll find the cyclist you just overtook right next to you at the next traffic light.
• Most shopping streets are for pedestrians only. Don’t cycle in these areas, you could get a fine and you are endangering the pedestrians. If you want to go shopping or visit a restaurant or pub, leave your bike in a bike parking facility outside the pedestrian zone.
• Pay attention to the traffic lights (even if the Dutch don’t) and pay attention to give-way signs at roundabouts and intersections. Signal your direction clearly with your hand so motorists know what you intend to do.

Campsites in Amsterdam

 Parking your bike securely in the Netherlands

Unfortunately, many bicycles get stolen in the Netherlands. E-bikes are especially popular. For good bikes, and especially e-bikes, the rule is:

• In the city, use a guarded bicycle parking facility. Here you can park your bike safely for free or for a small fee.
• Use two locks. With the second lock, secure your bicycle to a bicycle rack or bar.
• Use the bike racks. In some towns and cities, bikes parked outside the racks will be removed.

Main rules for cycling in the Netherlands

The most important traffic rules for cyclists in the Netherlands can be found on this website. In the Netherlands, a bicycle helmet is not mandatory. A helmet is recommended for people on racing bikes, on e-bikes, and for children. Bicyclists over the age of 10 may not ride on the pavement unless the bike lane is blocked. The permitted blood alcohol content on a bicycle is 0.05 per cent, just like for motorists.

Rules for bicycle carriers on a motorhome or caravan

• The bicycle rack must be properly attached.
• The bicycles should not protrude more than 20 cm on either side.
• No sharp parts may protrude.
• The weight of the bicycles and bicycle rack may not exceed the maximum nose weight of the towbar.
• If the bike carrier covers part of the license plate, a white license plate is required on the carrier.
• If the bike carrier covers part of the lighting or reflectors, then the bike carrier must have the required lighting.