Planning a 6-day solo tour across the Netherlands: Amsterdam to Texel loop, June 2025
I’ll be riding for 5 days starting from Amsterdam and ending in Haarlem. I’ve built all the routes in Komoot and made them public. Image previews are included below as well. Sorry I've not been able to make it into a 'multi day trip', I'm waiting until the week before to buy premium and also the maps.
As for my own fitness, I'm 32, 5 foot 9 and about 70kg, I cycle 75-80km a week between daily commutes, average 18k steps a day and train in the gym 2-3 times a week.
The longest cycle I've ever done was 10 years ago at 77km but I really enjoyed it. It wasn't difficult then and I wasn't in as good of fitness as I am now.
I will admit though I am definitely not used to long rides like the ones planned, any tips/advice for someone who has the fitness but needs to get used to the endurance would be super helpful 🙂
Day 1
Amsterdam to Utrecht – 63.4 km
Mostly a warm-up day, heading out of the city and down into quieter routes along the canals.
Day 2
Utrecht to Arnhem – 100 km
Includes a detour into De Hoge Veluwe National Park and a stop at the Kröller-Müller Museum.
Day 3
Arnhem to Rotterdam – 132 km
Longest urban-to-urban stretch, passing through smaller towns and flatter farmland. Should be fast unless wind kills it.
Day 4
Rotterdam to Haarlem – 137 km
Big coastal ride north via dunes and sea paths. Longest day overall in terms of time and effort.
Day 5
Texel loop plus mainland return to Castricum
Started with a train from Haarlem to Den Helder, ferry to Texel
70 km on the island, then 65 km back to Castricum
If my legs hold up, I’ll ride both segments and grab a train from Castricum to Haarlem in the evening. Total ride will be around 135 km.
Day 6
Going to just take the train from Haarlem back to AMS to drop back the rental and make my flight home
Renting a touring hybrid from Bike City Amsterdam with Ortlieb panniers.
Bike City Amsterdam include all bike repair stuff I should need, also a phone mount
Staying in Stayokay hostels at each destination of the daily route.
Have a 20k powerbank ready, I've organized an e-sim for the week. Packing Really light, Under armor backpack, small chest pack. Have thin DWR pants if needed, cargo style shorts as a daily driver, two vests, two t-shirts, windbreaker, longsleeve 3 pairs of underwear (Laundry in hostels) + Sunglasses and baseball cap.
Completely open to changing my routes if they are trash, I don't know alot about NL but have been trying to learn as I build these routes. Just looking for feedback and any tips/advice or anything I might have missed. Thanks so much
Day 1 https://www.komoot.com/tour/2220467380
Day 2 https://www.komoot.com/tour/2220655335
Day 3 https://www.komoot.com/tour/2220613895
Day 4 https://www.komoot.com/tour/2222674468
Day 5 Texel Loop https://www.komoot.com/tour/2224420749
Day 5 Port to Castricum for train https://www.komoot.com/tour/2224451076
by IWasUsingMyRealName
3 Comments
Do you know Hoge Veluwe charges 15 EUR to enter? It’s a nice place but just don’t want you to be surprised.
Cycling around Arnhem is nice.
100km in one day on the Hoge Veluwe can be much is the wind stands wrong.. if you go via the Posthoorn .. for me 70km was the max
I live in your Day 2. I have some suggestions.
– it’s fine to have a general route, but every road has great bike infrastructure. You can just make up your route as you go along. Too windy? Head inland. Not enough time? Take the train.
– You might like the “knooppuntsysteeem” (a national bike marker routing system). Get the app “toertje” (little tour).
– Specifically for Day 2, I’d hit Culemborg and then stay south of the river (the Neder-rijn), then take the ferry across at Wageningen. The route you have from Waveningen to Ede is not great, I’d go through Bennekom instead
– There’s nothing wrong with Arnhem, but I’m not sure it’s worth extending your trip for
– I think you’re missing out by not hitting Den Bosch (aka ‘s Hertogenbosch). It’s quite different than other Dutch cities and twice as charming. Have a Bosschebol at a cafe by Sint-Janskathedraal, you’ve earned it.
– Why do you want to go to Rotterdam? It’s a big city, but not what I think of as a highlight. Gouda is lovely though.
Be sure to wave when you go by my place!