Dutch National Parks

Discover the Dutch National Parks, Wildlife, and Cultural Highlights on a Gravel Bike

Get off the beaten track! The Netherlands, well known for its endless cycling roads, also has a hidden off-road gem for gravel biking: the National Park Green Divide Tour. Cycle over 5 days from Amsterdam to the Hanseatic city of Zwolle through dense forests and wide-open heathlands. Spot the Dutch Big Five and wildlife in the Veluwe National Park. Visit charming cities and don’t miss the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to a renowned Vincent van Gogh collection and an impressive sculpture garden.

Exoplore Nature and Culture in one trip

Escape the bustling cities and find peace while riding your gravel bike on hard-packed gravel, dirt roads, and cycling paths. Experience the Netherlands from a different perspective.

Guided and Selfguided

The National Parks of the Netherlands is a wonderful journey of discovery through nature, past culture and through picturesque villages. With one of the longest gravel routes in the Netherlands, a true voyage of discovery. Divided into 5 stages. Can be booked with or without a guide. An experience to remember and never to forget.

We offer you an example of a nice and varied programme below. 

Itineraries

Day 1

Naarden – Utrecht* 31 Mi / 50 km

You will start in Naarden, a small fortress town with a rich history. Cycle through the old streets and enjoy the striking defensive city walls. From there, you'll quickly find yourself on hard-packed gravel. Forests and heath fields offer just a first glimpse of what's to come in the days ahead. Today’s destination is the city of Utrecht, a student town famous for the Dom, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. Many Dutch people even prefer Utrecht over Amsterdam as their favorite city.

Overnight at Hotel Mitland Utrecht https://www.mitland.nl

Day 2.

Utrecht – Rhenen 38 mi/58 km

Today, we will cycle across the Utrechtse Heuvelrug towards Rhenen nearby Arnhem. The Heuvelrug is a remnant of the Ice Age, a sand ridge with vast forests and beautiful views of the river landscapes that the Netherlands is known for. You will ride through the first section of the national park. As you cycle along shell paths and through forests, you’ll notice that the Netherlands is not as flat as it seems. But don't worry—nowhere does it get truly steep. Along the way, you'll pass through several picturesque villages and enjoy coffee with apple pie at one of the many terraces. A wonderful introduction to Dutch nature.

 

Overnight at Hotel Het Palviljoen

https://www.paviljoen.nl/

day 3

Rhenen– Otterlo 38 mi / 58 km

Today, one of the cultural highlights of this tour is on the agenda. You will visit the Hoge Veluwe National Park. With some luck, you might spot deer, wild boars, mouflons, and perhaps even a wolf. One of the park's highlights is the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to an extensive collection of Vincent van Gogh's works and a vast sculpture garden. Take your time to absorb all the beautiful art. You will finish in Otterlo, at the edge of the park, where you can relax and reflect on today's route and enjoy the wellness center.

Overnight at Hotel de Sterrenberg Otterlo https://www.sterrenberg.nl

Day 4

Otterlo – Harderwijk 38Mi / 58Km

Today, you’ll take your gravel bike and cycle from Otterlo to Harderwijk The route takes you through Radio Kootwijk, a former radio transmitter park on the Veluwe, west of the city of Apeldoorn. In the first half of the 20th century, it was an important communication link between the Netherlands and its former colonies, particularly the Dutch East Indies. Built starting in 1918, it still stands proudly in the middle of the heathlands. You will then continue through dense forests an open heathlands. Enjoy cycling on hard-packed gravel towards hanseatic city Harderwijk. You would never have thought that nature in the Netherlands could be so beautiful.

Overnight in Best Western Hotel Baars

https://www.bestwestern.nl/booking-path/hotel-rooms/best-western-hotel-baars-harderwijk

Day 5

Harderwijk – Zwolle 41Mi/ 66 Km

Today, the final stage. Enjoy the beautiful gravel paths through nature one last time, and before you arrive in Zwolle, make sure to visit the historic town of Hattem. In 1784, it was one of the hotbeds of patriotism against the king, and today it is a charming town with an small but very nice bakery museum. After visiting Hattem, you will see your final destination, Zwolle, across the river IJssel. Another Hanseatic city with a rich history, it marks the end of your journey. Over 360 kilometers of mainly unpaved yet well-maintained paths are now behind you. From here, you can take the train back to Amsterdam or stay for another night and explore  the following day the old streets of Zwolle begore you take the train to Amsterdam.

Included services

• 4  nights in double rooms (shower/toilet) in 3- and 4-star hotels
• Breakfast/breakfast buffet
• Tour briefing on arrival
• End of tour meeting
• Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
• Tour documentation (tourist and route info)
• Breakdown assistance
• Hotline for assistance during tour
• Top-class aluminium Gravelbike
• GPX files with itinerary (per group)
• Equipment delivery at station Weesp; pick up in Zwolle

Exludes

• Travel to Amsterdam/Weesp and Zwolle/Amsterdam
• Travelexpenses
• Diners
• lunch
• Ticket National Park De Hoge Veluwe (€ 13,40)
• Ticket Kroller Moller Museum (€ 13,50)

The  5 day Dutch National Parks tour is a semi-guided (supported) or a privately guided tour that starts every day from april 1st till october 30th. 

Privately guided tours

The privately guided tours are intended for people who come with their own group of friends or family, with a minimum of 6 people. We support you with a guide in a minibus for groups of up to 12 people. If you come with more people, we offer you the choice of a second minibus that follows the group or one minibus and a guide on a bike.

Semi-guided (supported) tours

If you are unable to find your own group of 6 people, we also offer you semi guided tours, where you will be part of a group with (some) other participants. This group is accompanied by a van, just like on a privately guided tour. Although there are more persons riding the same routes, this does not mean that you have to ride with the others as you would on a truly guided tour. You can feel free to go on your own, as with a self-guided tour, and the van will support you along the way. If more than 12 people participate in a semi-guided tour, a second van will support the group.

A semi-guided tour, like a private guided tour, requires a minimum of 6 participants. If there are fewer than 6 participants, the tour will be canceled and the deposit will be refunded. The final decision will be made 60 days before start of the tour.

You will stay in 3 and 4 star hotels. Comfort or superior room subject to availability.

For example an up on availability:

Hotel Mitland Utrecht https://www.mitland.nl

Hotel Het Palviljoen  https://www.paviljoen.nl/

Hotel de Sterrenberg Otterlo https://www.sterrenberg.nl

Best Western Hotel Baars  https://www.hotelbaars.nl

Bikerental Alu Gravel Bike is included. It is possible to have an upgrade to an Carbon Gravel Bike or Hybrid E-Bike. You can choose the upgrade as a trip-extra in the booking tab. 

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  Canyon Alu

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  Canyon Grail Carbon

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  Hybrid E-Bike upgrade