Bike & Sail the Ijsselmeer

The planned daily sailing routes partially depend on the strength and direction of the winds. The skipper decides day by day on the best route and discusses the options with his guests. The crew does whatever it can to run the program according to plan and to offer you a fascinating, varied and active week, in which nature and culture play a major part. It is, however, possible that departure times and the time spent on the water – and even the order of the program itself – have to be adjusted. So, enjoy the ride and let yourself be led by the elements! Whenever possible, various passages will be undertaken fully rigged. Anyone who would like to help the crew sail and steer the boat is welcome to do so. Sailing experience is not necessary.

Guided

Day 1: Amsterdam - Volendam, 6 mi. (10 km)
Day 2: Volendam -  Volendam | Volendam - Hoorn, 22 or 31 mi. (36 or 49 km)
Day 3: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 16 or 27 mi. (26 or 44 km)
Day 4: Enkhuizen - Stavoren | Stavoren loop 15 or 23 mi. (25 or 37 km)
Day 5: Stavoren - Lemmer, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6:  Lemmer - Urk | Urk loop, 15 mi. (25 km)
Day 7: Urk - Lelystad |Lelystad - Blocqu van Kuffeler, 12 or 17 mi. (20 or 28 km) | Blocqu van Kuffeler - Amsterdam
Day 8: Amsterdam

On days where two distances are offered, guests can choose to cycle the shorter or longer routes.  Not all highlights mentioned will be featured in the shorter itinerary. You can also choose to cycle self-guided with the help of a map and route notes (available onboard). GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the start date of the tour.

Guests can choose to stay onboard on any day they do not wish to cycle.

Day 1: Amsterdam - Volendam, 6 mi. (10 km)
Your week of biking and sailing starts in Amsterdam. The crew welcomes you on board between 1 and 2 P.M. You may bring your luggage on board beginning at 11 am but do note that the cabins will not be ready to check-in at that time. Once all guests have checked in, the ship sails under motor to  Volendam. From the port of one of these former fishing villages, a short warm-up ride leads you through the rural nature reserve of Waterland with its many villages.

Day 2: Volendam -  Volendam | Volendam - Hoorn, 22 or 31 mi. (36 or 49 km)
A very Dutch start of the day: you cycle to a nearby, family-run cheese and clog shop for a short demonstration of cheese and clog making, and of course a cheese tasting. Continue pedaling along the dikes to Purmerend, in the heart of a polder named De Beemster, 11½ feet (3.5 meters) below sea level. It was created more than 400 years ago when the Dutch transformed an inland lake into pasture land. Divided into a tight geometric pattern of squares and quadrants, it is recognized by UNESCO as “a creative masterpiece”.

Your next destination is Edam, a lovely town whose lanes and canals deserve a stroll. Edam is known worldwide for its cheese covered in red or yellow wax. This practical solution keeps the cheese fresh for a long time, so 17th-century sailors could take it on their voyages or trade it for spices and other riches of the East.

Via the main dike of the IJsselmeer, you arrive at the promenade of Volendam, where the ship is docked. You will have some time on your own to check out the souvenir shops. After dinner, let the historical city center lure you into a digestive walk. Later in the evening, the ship sails to Hoorn.

Day 3: Hoorn - Enkhuizen, 16 or 27 mi. (26 or 44 km)
Through small rural hamlets and villages, today’s ride brings you to Enkhuizen. Pass by windmill De Krijgsman (The Warrior), the highest windmill in the province of North-Holland and one of a handful of old Dutch windmills still in use to produce flour commercially. The area is also known for its many greenhouses, where vegetables are grown.

In the 17th century, Enkhuizen was one of the wealthiest cities in Holland, thanks to its harbor that shipped then-costly spices from Asia. Be astonished by the stately mansions, canals, churches and city walls that to this day reflect the city’s rich history and wealth.

Day 4:  Enkhuizen - Stavoren | Stavoren loop 15 or 23 mi. (25 or 37 km)
Weather permitting, we sail across the IJsselmeer to the port of Stavoren in Friesland (approx. 4 hours). On board, you can help the captain sail the ship if you wish. Or you can simply sit back on deck and enjoy the invigorating journey while keeping watch for marine bird life. Upon arrival, a bike tour is planned that first takes you to Hindeloopen, a picturesque and lively fishing village. From there you go to Workum, home to the Jopie Huisman Museum. This museum is dedicated to the work and life of the Frisian realist painter Jopie Huisman, whose work is very much loved by the Dutch.

Day 5: Stavoren - Lemmer, 25 mi. (40 km)
Following the dike along the IJsselmeer, we arrive in Gaasterland, renowned for its sandy heights that are over 32.8 feet (10 meters) high. The name Gaasterland derives from gaasten, the Frisian word for these elliptically shaped heights. They were formed during the Ice Age when boulder clay from Scandinavia was deposited on this terrain.

Leaving the dike, you enter the Rijsterbos, a 300-year-old forest. Through this wooded area, you ride to the town of Balk and along the tree-lined river Luts, that flows through the center of town. Shortly afterward, you’ll arrive at the fortress city of Sloten. With less than 800 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest cities in The Netherlands. Take the time to leisurely wander the narrow streets, to relax and to find a spot for lunch on your own.

The last stretch of today’s tour brings you to the fishing port of Lemmer, where the ship moors for the night. Dinner will be served on board. An after-dinner stroll into town is definitely worth your while.

Day 6:  Lemmer - Urk | Urk loop, 12 mi. (20 km)
In the morning you sail across the IJsselmeer to the port of Urk. Onboard, you can help the captain sail the ship if you wish. Or you can simply sit back on deck and enjoy the invigorating journey while keeping watch for marine birdlife. In Urk, you may stroll through the narrow streets and alleys. The houses in this picturesque fishing village were built close to one another on elevated grounds to protect them against the water, and that is still visible today. In the afternoon a short optional bike ride is planned through the Northeast polder (Noordoostpolder).

Day 7: Urk - Lelystad | Lelystad - Blocqu van Kuffeler (12 or 24 mi. (20 or 39 km) | Blocqu van Kuffeler - Amsterdam
After breakfast, you’ll disembark for your last half-day of cycling. You’ll ride through the Oostvaardersplassen, a nature reserve on reclaimed land. Sections of the ride wind through forested areas, while others give you panoramic views of expansive reed beds and marshes. This is a birdwatchers’ paradise.

The ship picks you up in the small harbor of Oostvaardersdiep for the return voyage to Amsterdam. Celebrate this marvelous week around the Ijsselmeer while having a farewell dinner aboard the ship.

Day 8: Amsterdam
Disembarkation after breakfast by 9.30 am. End of your trip. A beautiful journey full of new experiences has come to an end!

Self-guided

Day 1: Amsterdam - Monnickendam/Volendam, 6 mi. (10 km), Check in a 2 pm. You may bring luggage on board at 11 am.
Day 2: Monnickendam/Volendam -  Volendam | Volendam - Hoorn, 19 or 31 mi. (32 or 51 km)
Day 3: Hoorn - Enkhuizen - Urk, 17 or 24 mi. (28 or 39 km)
Day 4: Urk - Vollenhove, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 5: Vollenhove - Giethoorn, 22 or 30 mi. (37 or 49 km)
Day 6: Giethoorn - Lelystad, full day of sailing and relaxing
Day 7: Lelystad - Blocq van Kuffeler | Blocq van Kuffeler - Amsterdam, 12 or 18 mi. (20 or 29 km)
Day 8: Amsterdam

The daily bike tours are self-guided, conducted at your own pace and without a tour leader. There are daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and route notes are available. GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the start date of the tour. During the days when 2 bicycle options are possible, you can make a choice for the longer or the shorter option. Not all mentioned highlights will be visited during the short bike option.

Be sure to check out all of our featured bike and boat tours, or our full list of bicycle tours.

On board the comfort class vessel, the Leafde fan Fryslân, an imposing, three-masted barquentine, or the standard class Wapen fan Fryslân, the largest two master schooner on the Dutch waterways, or Elizabeth, an impressive clipper.

• Leafde Fan Fryslân

  Comfort

  ?

  4.5 out of 5 (4 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Comfort Class Sailing Ship

  The Leafde Fan Fryslân is an imposing, three-masted barquentine, managed by its owner/operators, Joris and Rinske de Wit, who bring years of maritime experience. The ship has 13 well-appointed cabins, ten twin cabins, 1 smaller twin cabin, 1 junior suite, and 1 single cabin. Read More
• Wapen Fan Fryslân

  Standard

  ?

  View Boat

  Standard Class Sailing Ship

  In 1965, the sailing ship was launched as a freight ship and then in 2003 it was completely transformed into a sailing passenger ship. On board, you will immediately notice its warm and luxurious atmosphere. On deck there is a the large pilothouse with a cozy and stylish bar and seating area. The panorama windows offer a perfect all around view of the water. The afterdeck has an outdoor cafe with draught beer taps and a Jacuzzi, and on the middle deck with plenty of seating allowing you to… Read More
• Elizabeth

  Standard

  ?

  5 out of 5 (2 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Standard Class Sailing Ship

  The impressive clipper ELIZABETH was built in 1913 and boasts a plush interior design. The vessel is equipped with 10 roomy guest cabins all with an en-suite shower and lavatory. The large salon features a bar and seating area to ensure you will feel right at home. Read More