Along the North Sea - a Tulip Tour

Netherlands Bike Tour

Noordwijk aan Zee (Noordwijk on the sea) - in the heart of tulip country!

Noordwijk aan Zee was founded around 1200 as a fishing village. Until the 19th, fishing remained its primary business, but then began to be replaced by the growing tourist industry. Nowadays, because of its long sandy beaches, it is a popular vacation spot among Netherlanders and foreigners with nearly a million overnight stays per year and is rated as the 12th richest location in the Netherlands.

The area around Noordwijk-Binnen (just inland of Noordwijk aan Zee) has long been an important part of the regional bulb flower industry. The dunes were dug out and transformed into fields for the cultivation of bulb flowers. Noordwijk-Binnen has retained its historic character and is therefore protected by the Dutch Monument Law.

Where You’ll Stay

In the 3 star Prominent Inn Hotel located overlooking the North Sea.

What’s Included

• 3 or 6 night accommodations
• 7-speed hybrid bicycle rental, 4 or 7 days
• Breakfasts
• Route descriptions & maps

What’s Not Included

• Train ticket to Voorhout, Taxi to Noordwijk
• Local tourist tax, €3.10 per person/night

Tour Dates

• Daily, year-round. The best time to see the tulips is mid-April.

Skill Level

Easy self-guided based tour over flat terrain and bike paths; daily distances can be varied.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

PLEASE NOTE, ANY NUMBER OF DAYS/NIGHTS IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS TOUR.

BULBFIELDS ROUTE (visit the Keukenhof), 23-27 mi.
This route is especially attractive during the Spring when a lot of the bulbs are in bloom. But also at other times of the year because of the wide variety of bulbs being grown, particularly in August and September when lots of dahlias and gladioluses are in full bloom. From Noordwijk, the route goes through the center of Noordwijkerhout, where you can visit the old little white church. Passing the Oosterduinse Lake (you can go for a swim during the summer) and along the Leidsevaart (canal), you’ll arrive at the bulb fields near Hillegom. Via a very narrow bike path along a small creek and over the historic Veenenburgerlaan (road), you will arrive at the Keukenhof (the famous annual flower show) near Lisse. Passing the old ruin of fortress Teylingen, you’ll arrive in Voorhout. On the way to Rijnsburg, you’ll follow de Elsgeester road through the Elsgeester polder (polder =land reclaimed from the sea) back to Noordwijk.

MEIJENDEL ROUTE, 23-28 mi.
This route meanders over quiet bike paths through the dunes going south of Noordwijk and over the busy boulevard of the town of Katwijk to the water conservation area of Meijendel. At the 1.25 mile long boulevard in Katwijk, you will find the St. Andreas Church from the year 1572 and the light tower from 1605. It is one of the oldest in the country. During the summer months, you’ll find a “bomschuit” from 1911 in front of the light house. The small version of this ship was used to fish for shrimp. Through the water conservation area, you’ll cycle to the rich region of Wassenaar-Zuid. Via the old town center, the route goes to the recreation area of the Valkenburgse Meer (meer=lake). Here you can visit the Railroad Museum. Following the “Oude Rijn” (Old Rhine), you’ll cycle through the center of Rijnsburg and via the Elsgeesterpolder (polder = reclaimed land) back to Noordwijk.

VLIETLAND ROUTE, 32-37 mi.
Going South through the dunes this route brings you to Katwijk and Wassenaar. You will pass castle Duivenvoorde if you follow the description to visit the castle. Following the Vliet (a canal) you reach the recreation area the Vlietland. Going straight through the University city of Leiden back to Noordwijk. You have the opportunity to leave the route and visit the old center of Leiden. *The first extension makes a detour through the center of Leidschendam and follows the Vliet (canal) until the drawbridge. *The second extension from the drawbridge directs you to the recreation area of Vlietland. Besides an excellent view over the lake with its water birds, you can run into Scottish Highlanders as well. (cattle). These two extensions give you the opportunity to cycle 32.1 or 35.7 miles. And with the two extensions, a total of 36.9 miles.

WIJDE AA ROUTE, 38 mi.
(translation: The “Wijde Aa” is a canal) This bike route brings you via Noordijkerhout and the bulbfields near Lisse to the “Rooversbroekpolder” (polder = reclaimed land). Cycling along the Ringvaart (canal) of the Haarlemmermeerpolder and along the Braassemermeer (meer=lake), you will arrive at the little ferry over the Paddegat. You’ll reach Woubrugge and soon the beautiful bike path along the “Wijde Aa” after which this route is named. You will see some old windmills near Hoogmade. Via Rijpwetering through the scenic polders around the “Wijde Aa”, you’ll arrive in Warmond and from there back to Noordwijk-binnen (an old historic center) and Noordwijk.

COUNTRY ESTATES ROUTE, 23-35 mi.
This route goes through the beautiful dunes south of Noordwijk to The Hague. The “Coepel” dunes lie between Noordwijk and Katwijk up until the “Wassenaarse Slag” and the nature reserve “Berkheide”, followed by the wooded water conservation area of “Meijendel”. You’ll cycle through The Hague, passing the Peace Palace, the Royal Palace Noordeinde and the “Binnenhof”. Then via the “Haagse Bos” (bos=forest), you’ll enter into Wassenaar, where you’ll continue the route. The country estates seen en route include: De Wittenberg, Rust en Vrede, De Wiltzanck, Hartenkamp, Backershagen and the Pauw. The route will also pass the “Valkenburgse Meer”, a recreation area that also has the Railroad Museum. You’ll cycle along the “Oude Rijn” (Old Rhine River) to Katwijk aan de Rijn. Over the terrain of the “Van den Berghstichting” (an institution for people with a mental handicap), the route will bring you back to Noordwijk.

FISHERMAN'S PATH, 11-30 mi.
This route goes through the dunes, passing Langevelderslag, along the water conservation area of Amsterdam to Zandvoort. From there via the beautiful Fishermans path to an area called “Kraantje Lek” and then through the rustic town of Aerdenhout. Riding further, you’ll pass the mansion of “Huis te Vogelenzang” and cycle through the bulb fields near De Zilk. Then via the dunes, you’ll ride back to Noordwijk.

WESTEINDER LAKES ROUTE, 32-43 mi.
From Noordwijk you go North through the dunes to Zilk and around Vogelenzang to estate “Oud Woestduin. Via the small forest “Groenendaal” you’ll reach the old center of Heemstede with its “Oude Slot”, a castle dating back to 1290. Past the large pumping house and the museum, “de Cruquius”, the route is crossing “the Ringvaart” (a canal). You’ll pass the outskirts of Haarlem going to Vijfhuizen. From there you follow an old dike. Along this dike you will find some fortifications, part of an old defence system around Amsterdam. You will pass the Haarlemmermeer forest where the “Floriade” was held in 2002. This is a flower show only held once every 10 years. In Aalsmeer you will pass the Historic Garden and the Westeinder Lakes. Along the canals, the Amstel and the Drecht you arrive at the Braassemer Lake where you will cross the canal, the Oude Wetering by ferry. Via the town, Nieuwe Wetering you follow the canal, the Ringvaart to the Buitenkaag. The route continues via Sassenheim and Voorhout back to Noordwijk.

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Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us