Cycling in the Netherlands : Long distance routes
Holland is covered with an extensive network of LF-routes (“landelijke fietsroutes = long distance routes”). It’ possible to cycle all around the country along these signposted routes. We strongly advise you to take advantage of this network. The routes mostly follow bicycle lanes. Or you’ll find yourself on small countryroads you won’t find easily without a map. They will guide you through the most scenic parts of Holland. You can even continue across the border into Belgium or Germany along these LF-routes. We think it’s an excellent way of discovering Holland from the bikesaddle.
LF-routes are our favourites!
By now there are 20 different signposted routes, all together 6000 kilometers. Of each of the routes a separate guidebook is for sale, unfortunately in Dutch only. Despite this drawback it is still a good idea to buy one, as the section maps will help you in the (rare) case of a missing sign. The information on overnight accommodation will also be quite useful and understandable: see the accommodation list (overnachtingsmogelijkheden).
Long distance cycling routes are signposted in both directions. Whenever a sign does not correspond with the route on the map, you are advised follow the sign. If a sign is completely missing, you may safely rely on the map in the guidebook.
When you are planning to follow several LF-routes we advise you to buy the general guidebooks. In two guidebooks you find a description of all the LF-routes. The maps in these books are also very useful as overall maps. These guides are: Landelijke Fietsroutes deel 1: Noord- en Midden-Nederland (North and centre of Holland) Landelijke Fietsroutes deel 2: Midden- en Zuid-Nederland (Middle and south of the country) Another option is the guidebook Ronde van Nederland, which describes the LFroutes along the borders of the country: LF1, LF 10, LF 14, LF 3, and LF 13, and the LF 4 through the middle of the country.
Several of the LF-routes are available as GPSroutes on the www.
An overview of the LF-routes
More detailed and interactive version of this map
(source: www.fietsplatform.nl)
details of all LF-routes
|
Name/number |
From/to (v.v.) |
Distance |
Guidebook |
|---|---|---|---|
| LF 1: Noordzeeroute | Den Helder – Sluis | 270 | gids Noordzee-/Waddenroute |
| LF 2: Stedenroute | Amsterdam – Brussels (Belgium) | 340 | gids Stedenroute |
| LF 3: Rietlandroute | Holwerd – Kampen | 145 | gids Rietland-/Hanzeroute |
| LF 3: Hanzeroute | Kampen – Millingen | 135 | gids Rietland-/Hanzeroute |
| LF 3: Maasroute | Arnhem – Maastricht | 200 | gids Maasroute |
| LF 4: Midden-Nederland route | Den Haag – Enschede | 250 | gids Midden-Nederlandroute |
| LF 5: Dutch part of Vlaanderen Fietsroute N | Thorn – Roermond – German border | 25 | gids Maasroute |
| LF 6: Dutch part of Vlaanderen Fietsroute S | Maastricht – Vaals | 35 | gids Maasroute |
| LF 7: Oeverlandroute | Alkmaar – Maastricht | 350 | gids Oeverlandroute |
| LF 8: no name | Ommen – Borculo | 80 | gids Rondje Twente |
| LF 9: N.A.P.route | Nieuweschans – Breda | 445 | gids N.A.P.route |
| LF 10: Waddenzeeroute | Callantsoog – Nieuweschans | 270 | gids Noordzee-/Waddenzeeroute |
| LF 11: Prinsenroute | Den Haag – Breda | 100 | partially described in guidebook LF 1 and LF 12 |
| LF 12: Maas- en Vestingroute | Maassluis – Nijmegen | 230 | gids Maas- en Vestingroute |
| LF 13: Schelde- en Rheinroute | Middelburg – Duisburg (Germany) | 300 | gids Schelde- en Rheinroute |
| LF 14: Saksenroute | Lauwersoog – Enschede | 230 | gids Saksenroute |
| LF 15: Boerenlandroute | Alkmaar – Enschede | 200 | gids Boerenlandroute |
| LF 16: Vechtdalroute | Darfeld (Germany) – Zwolle | 245 | gids Vechtdalroute |
| LF 18: no name | Ommen – Denekamp | 60 | gids Rondje Twente |
| LF 20: Flevoroute | Haarlem – Groningen | 260 | gids Flevoroute |
More information on the site Fietsplatform
Long distance round trips
These signposted roundtrips are another attractive option. They are described in separate guidebooks.
An overview of the long distance round trips
- Zuiderzeeroute (400 km)
- Elfstedenroute (230 km)
- R ondje Groningen (410 km)
- Rondje Drenthe (460 km)
- Rondje Achterhoek/kastelenroute Oost-Gelderland (365 km)
- Rondje Twente via LF-routes (165 km)
- Eneco Veluweroute (265 km)
- Rondje rivieren (222 km)
- Rondje Utrecht (280 km)
- Fortenroute (200 km)