National Park & Medieval towns
Amersfoort - Otterlo - Arnhem - Zutphen - DeventerDuring its heyday in the Middle Ages, the Hanseatic League dominated maritime trade in Northern Europe. Discover the wealth it brought towns like Zutphen, Deventer and Kampen in their stately merchant houses, lively squares and imposing churches. Take in lush river landscapes and cycle through the woods and heathland of the ‘Hoge Veluwe’ National Park, which is teeming with wildlife.
A special highlight at the heart of the ‘Hoge Veluwe’ National Park is the renowned Kröller-Müller museum, which has, for example, the world’s second largest collection of Van Gogh paintings. And, if you’re into museums, you can visit plenty more, like the René Lalique Museum and Mustard Museum in Doesburg or the Toy Museum in Deventer.
Last, but not least, you will visit the ‘Airborne Region’ of Arnhem where you can discover the stories behind Operation Market Garden and commemorate those who perished in WWII.
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Facilities
Advantages of a Tulip Cycling tour:
● Carefully planned itinerary to suit your interests and pace – or we’ll tailor-make your own tour.
● Only individual departures – choose your start and finish dates to fit in with your other plans.
● Tour introduction and end-of-tour meeting attended personally by our own expert staff.
● Our equipment and support is top rated to give you peace-of-mind.
● With our hotel bookings and luggage transport option, we provide you a full-service package.
Please note: This tour begins on a cycling day. We recommend arriving in the Netherlands a few days earlier and booking at least one pre-tour overnight in Amsterdam and/or in atmospheric Amersfoort. Amersfoort is just over 30 minutes from the centre of Amsterdam by train and a great place to start your tour.
Day 1 Amersfoort - Otterlo (43 km)
Your tour starts with a personal bike fitting and a detailed explanation of your tour in Amersfoort. Pedal to the well-preserved and listed medieval centre with one of the tallest church towers in the Netherlands. It is possible for you to visit the Mondriaan House or the historical, and educational, Flehite museum. The cycle ride out of town will take you on a quiet bike lane along a tranquil canal up to the villages of Scherpenzeel, Renswoude and Lunteren. From Lunteren onwards, the landscape starts to change and the more open farmland is replaced by gorgeous forest areas. You end your day in the pretty village of Otterlo at the gateway to the ‘Hoge Veluwe’ National Park.
Day 2 Otterlo - Arnhem (47 km)
Your cycling today takes you through the National Park, which covers approximately 55 km². It is a mix of heathland, sand and woodland areas. Once in the park, you will cycle past the famous Kröller Müller museum. The museum (which is not open on Mondays) has the second-largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh, as well as one of Europe’s largest sculpture gardens. You leave the park, to the north of Arnhem, and the trip makes a loop to Oosterbeek. You will pass the Doorwerth castle, the Airborne Second World War museum and finally ride on to the city of Arnhem. On the last few kilometers there are plenty of museums and highlights to visit like the Dutch National Open Air Museum, the zoo and the Dutch water museum. Finally ending your day at the charming Art Nouveau hotel Molendal on the edge of the town centre.
Day 3 Arnhem - Zutphen (46 km)
After having a lovely breakfast, you leave the town of Arnhem and cycle up to the river IJssel valley. After taking a small bicycle ferry, you cycle along pretty recreational lakes to the small, but charming, Hanseatic town of Doesburg. You can stop off at the main town square of the historical Hanseatic town of Doesburg. Visit the Doesburgs mustard factory and ‘de Waag’. Cycling leisurely along the banks of the river Ijssel, you continue towards the picturesque art village of Bronkhorst. Bronkhorst, one of the smallest cities in the Netherlands, houses a museum dedicated to Charles Dickens. After this, Zutphen is your stop for the night and is one of the historic Dutch towns being part of the Hanseatic League. History will engulf you in the ‘s Gravenhof Hotel, which is full of 17th century painting and architecture.
Day 4 Zutphen - Deventer (29 or 42 km)
Although Zutphen and Deventer, both part of the Hanseatic League, are in close proximity to each other, the cycle ride will not take you straight there. The region itself is an eclectic mix of farmland, forest areas and flood plains. You will certainly enjoy the wonderful landscape on the 40 km- cycle ride on the way from one town to another. However, if you are primarily interested in the old historical towns themselves, then the shorter version of the route will guide you more directly to the towns and villages on the way. Deventer, the final stop of your cycle ride, is just as much a historical town as Zutphen. The Waag (Weighing-house) on the edge of the Brink square, the medieval Bergkerk (Mountain Church) on top of a small hill, the old streets around this church and the Saint Lebuïnus church in Gothic style are some of the highlights in this town. During the year, Deventer hosts three events of national and even international fame. In the first weekend of July, the city is the scene of the Deventer on Stilts festivals with actors and artists giving free performances in the streets. In August, Deventer is home to Europe’s largest book fair and finally in December you have the Dickens Festival.
Starting dates
Daily from April 1 until September 30
Prices 2024 in Euro - No peak season charges - Prices include all taxes | ||
Item | Price from | |
Per person, sharing (luggage transport in panniers on your bike, storage of your suitcases at Tulip Cycling) | € 795 | |
Per person, sharing (daily luggage transport by courier service) | € 990 | |
Single room surcharge | On request | |
Extra nights in Otterlo, Arnhem or Zutphen | On request | |
Pre and post tour accommodation in Amsterdam, Amersfoort or Deventer | On request | |
E-bike supplement per person | € 100 | |
Additional items (extra panniers, helmets, ponchos, extra GPS devices) | Price list | |
Discount | Amount | |
Discount for groups of 4 or more | 10% |
Not included in your package:
● Small ferry crossings where necessary (a few Euros per crossing, most require cash)
● Entry ticket to ‘Hoge Veluwe’ National Park (appr. €14 per adult; best booked in advance on www.hogeveluwe.nl)
● Optional activities like entry to museums
● Optional equipment insurance covering theft and damage (€25 per bike per tour)
● Tulip Cycling is not libable for the impact of any adverse weather conditions on your tour.
You will be staying in comfortable 3* hotels within walking distance of the local sights so you can explore in the evening and find a choice of restaurants for dinner. Your package price includes breakfast and tourist/city tax.
The below are sample hotels, subject to availability. Tulip Cycling may suggest alternatives as appropriate.
Otterlo – Hotel Kruller ***
Arnhem – Hotel Molendal ***
Zutphen – Hotel ‘s Gravenhof ***
Included in this tour
4 days of cycling | |
3 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels in town centres | |
Breakfast | |
Bicycle rental (with repair kit, pump, lock and water bottle) | |
Waterproof small pannier | |
Door to door route on GPS device and maps | |
Personal start and finish | |
Breakdown assistance and 24/7 help desk | |
Additional tourist information |