Do you like cycling? Check out this beginner route through one of the most cycling-friendly countries in the world! This 10-day itinerary takes you past some of the prettiest towns in the Netherlands, as well as multiple nature areas.
The route can be adapted in terms of length and level of difficulty. Most paths are paved and therefore suitable for any type of bike. I've included a place for lunch, dinner and to spend the night at every stop along the route.
You can also choose to do part of the route. Most places can be easily reached by train (bikes are allowed on the train during off-peak times). If you prefer a fully personalised itinerary for a cycle trip through the Netherlands, please reach out!
Starting off close to Amsterdam, I recommend spending a day in the picturesque city of Haarlem before embarking on your cycling adventure. Haarlem is a lovely city to stroll through, admire art, and get some delicious (vegan) food.
Many people who want to live in Amsterdam but cannot afford it instead try to move to Haarlem (which as a result has become quite an expensive place in terms of housing, too). I cannot blame them, as Haarlem is a bit quieter but no less beautiful.
Haarlem is one of those cities where you can spend hours just looking at buildings. Or, you can visit one of the many museums. The museum dedicated to Frans Hals and his contemporaries is by far the most popular. It possesses multiple important works in the development of Dutch art.
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Accommodation and food
After a day in Haarlem and getting some dinner there, a sustainable option for an overnight stay actually lies outside of the city. In terms of food, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. I've highlighted my absolute favourites for lunch and dinner.
A perfect spot for lunch can be found on this bustling street full of shops, coffee places and restaurants. BY LIMA is an absolute winner for anyone who has allergies or other dietary requirments, as they serve the best cakes for any diet. Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free: you name it, they have it!
Not only the cakes, but also the lunch dishes are delicious. Many people know this, so it might get busy! BY LIMA is quite small, but there's seating both indoors and outside.
For dinner, you shouldn't miss out on Mama Gaia (Mother Earth). You can choose between a 3-, 4- or 5-course dinner. If that's a bit too much for you, simply have some tasty snacks at the bar instead. Next to delicious plant-based meals, Mama Gaia offers pairings with either alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. This not only complements the taste of the food, it also completes the dinner experience.
The building that is home to Mama Gaia is an old, monumental building. During the renovation, many materials were reused. What used to be a laboratory now welcomes the 'impact hub Oceans' of which the restaurant is part. The rest of the space is used for meetings, events and office space for sustainable businesses.
Mama Gaia also works together with organic and zero waste suppliers. Even the plants for decoration are organically grown in order to boost biodiversity. If you're still not convinced about how awesome this place is, perhaps the food can change your mind!
This eco hotel is meant as a nice retreat for those who want to follow in the footsteps of 17th and 18th century merchants. When booking your stay, you can choose between luxurious suites or smaller B&B rooms. Bed linen is all made from organic cotton.
Most notable about Eco Plantage Rococo is the styling and attention to detail. Decorative items have been refurbished and artworks are on display throughout the hotel. The restaurant includes some vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu, but the portions are fairly small for the price.
The main 'eco' aspect of the hotel is its large estate. You can wander around this nature area unless it is breeding season for birds, when some parts are resticted access.
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Route
To get to the hotel, you need to cycle north for about 30-40 minutes. There are some dunes to cycle up, but no serious hills. It's a relaxed ride that takes you through a landscape that is typical for this coastal region, and of which you'll see more on Day 2. Don't worry, you won't have to cycle over any actual sand; the paths are all paved.
Today's route is best between the end of March and end of May, as you will cycle through the famous flower area in The Netherlands. During this period, the flowers such as bright coloured tulips will be in full bloom. Between May and September (or even October), you will still enjoy the countryside views and a good amount of sunshine - if you're lucky! For museum lovers it's wise to stay in Leiden for an extra full day.
Amsterdam may have a ton of museums, but if you'll believe me, The Netherlands' best museums are located in Leiden. Perhaps it's due to Leiden also being home to the oldest university in the country, but the city is truly bustling with knowledge to be shared.
There is the 'National Museum of Antiquities', 'Naturalis', 'Corpus', 'Japanmuseum Sieboldhuis', 'World Museum', etc. etc. There is simply too much choice! Leiden's botanical gardens are (in my humble opinion) also the very best you'll find in The Netherlands. The greenhouses are gorgeous, filled with an enormous amount of different species. Outside, there is a lot of information on biodiversity and the evolution of fauna. In summer, you'll also be greeted by blooming flowers.
And have I mentioned that Leiden's city centre is full of canals? Really the only negative thing to be said about this astonishing place is the lack of greenery. Leiden is one of the "stoniest" cities in the country.
Now on to the churches: the 'Pieterskerk' is the biggest, most impressive one. But as you can see from the top of the 'Burcht', there are many more. Depending on your interests, it's well worth visiting a few to admire the architecture and decoration.
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Accommodation and food
It's not the easiest to find a sustainable hotel in Leiden, which is why I suggest having a look at B&B's instead. There are some hotels that claim to be 'green', but they're part of international chains. Finding good (vegan) food is luckily a bit easier. Surprisingly, though, there are no fully vegan restaurants in Leiden at the moment.
Logica is a fully vegetarian, organic restaurant with a bunch of trustworthy sustainability certifications. Its menu is very concise in order to combat food waste. Because of this, it can happen that they run out of certain items. Any ingredients that cannot be sources locally are at least fairtrade, so you can be sure that your food is ethically grown and harvested.
The vegan items on the menu are soup, vegetable croquettes (a twist on a Dutch staple) and spinach-hummus sandwiches.
I personally love poké bowls! The tofu and tempeh options at Moana in Leiden are really good, as are the juices. You can build your own bowl, so the food is guaranteed to suit your taste.
Don't expect a fancy dinner situation when going to Moana -- it's concept is aimed at providing healthy fastfood. There is some seating inside, but it's probably nicer to take your bowl to a nearby park.
As said, Leiden does not really have eco-accommodations aside from chain hotels. Natuurhuisje is a collection of small places to stay in green surroundings. Some 3.5% of the revenue of the platform is therefore donated to local projects aimed at protecting nature. The idea is that by offering people cozy cabins outside of cities, they come to appreciate nature and contribute to improving biodiversity through the booking fee.
One such Natuurhuisje lies just outside the city of Leiden. It's still easy to reach the city centre by bike from here. You will be sleeping in quiet area close to the Vliet. The hosts will prepare breakfast for you for optimal relaxation in the morning.
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Route
The route starts off through the dunes and past the boulevard of Zandvoort. You may know Zandvoort from its Formula 1 track, and you can have a peek at it when you cycle past. As said, the route continues through the 'Bollenstreek', where the unsustainable practice of growing perfect flowers is displayed. It's a lovely sight to see, as long as you don't think too hard about the amounts of harmful pesticides being used. If you're in for a slightly longer ride all the way along the coast, you can cycle to Den Haag instead of Leiden. Check out my full guide for Den Haag under the link below.
If you need more recovery time or don't want to cycle every day, you can take a 50 minute train between these cities instead. Another option is to add a stop in Woerden, which is specifically marketing itself as a place for sustainable weekend trips (definitely check out B&B De Groene Gevel, which includes 3 veggie/vegan meals with your stay). If you do cycle straight on to Utrecht, you might want to spend longer than just an afternoon here, as it is a gorgeous city to walk around. There are also a few good museums and many great (vegan) restaurants.
Another insanely pretty canal city is Utrecht. I've lived there for a year and absolutely loved it. The bustling city is full of things to do, yet the city centre has the look and feel of a small town.
What is extra good about the canals in Utrecht is that have a plateau at water level (called a "werf" in Dutch). This means you can have food or a drink directly next to the water. If you're more of a sporty type, I'd suggest renting a kayak and exploring the canals from the water surface.
When in Utrecht, don't miss out on the 'Spoorwegmuseum', a museum about the history of train travel in The Netherlands. For kids, visiting the interactive 'Nijntje Museum' is an absolute must. Nijntje (Miffy) is a famous character and plushie loved by multiple generations of Dutch children. Make sure to reserve tickets online, as no tickets are sold at the entrance.
Utrecht is also a great place for shopping. Along the southern part of the main canal, 'de Oudegracht', and its side streets, you'll find many boutique shops and restaurants. If you prefer big brands, head over to the mall next to the train station called 'Hoog Catherijne'. However, I would always to advice to shop at local stores/small businesses.
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Accommodation and food
Utrecht has a few options for sustainable accommodation, most notably BUNK. There are also plenty of restaurants I would recommend, which made it difficult to choose just one lunch and one dinner option. Although you won't find quite as many fully vegan places in Utrecht as for example Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Den Haag, there are amazingly tasty vegan options at a variety of restaurants.
Life's a Peach is a bit sneaky: they don't advertise as fully vegan, but they definitely are! The tiny pastry shop is hidden in a cute side street and has a few fashionable seats inside.
The display counter is always full of the most delicious focaccia's. The owner is Italian, so you can be sure that the bread is made based on authentic recipes. Ingredients are bought at small retailers or at the market with as little packaging as possible. Take-away items are also plastic-free.
Aside from food, you can buy art and unique pieces of designer furniture at Life's a Peach. All of the above are of course made by local artists.
Long story short: don't miss out on this taste of Italy! The quality of the focaccia's is something you're bound to remember for a long time after leaving Utrecht. I also cannot wait to return to try different flavours!
Tijm has 2 locations in Utrecht and is the perfect place to get yourself a healthy dinner. Because there isn't a lot of seating space, making a reservation is recommended, although you can also grab your dinner to go.
Tijm is great for anyone with allergies or dietary restrictions, as allergens are very clearly noted for every dish (this is not so common in The Netherlands). There's also the option to get a larger portion for only €2,50 extra in case you're hungry. In terms of vegan options, there won't be a whole lot to choose from, but sometimes less choice makes life easier. ;)
Instead of dinner, Tijm also offers brunch dishes, great coffees and of course some tasty cakes!
BUNK is a trendy hostel/hotel in Utrecht and Amsterdam that prides itself in being a good option for sustainable travellers. Although their sustainability measures are far from the most ambitious, they do get a few things right!
First of all, both BUNK hostels are located in a converted church. The old architecture is preserved, but the inside is converted into hotel rooms, hostel pods (to provide a more afforable option), restaurant, coworking area and event spaces.
Green Key certified, the sustainability basics are ticked off. In addition, some of the food served in the restaurant is locally sourced with decent plantbased options. BUNK mainly focuses on social sustainability, though! They work together with local organisations to organise events, display art in the hostel and have an inclusive hiring strategy for staff.
What's also great is that BUNK Utrecht is located right next to the train station, so there is no need to come by car. The city centre is just a 5 minute walk away, too.
* Note: please do not use the booking.com link attached to this pin, but instead book directly via the hotel's own website to combat the exploitation caused by booking.com having a monopoly as an accommodation platform.
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Route
The day starts off by following a canal to get out of Leiden. After maybe half an hour, you find the river 'Oude Rijn', which you will basically follow all the way to Utrecht. This makes navigating incredibly easy and takes you through several towns where you could stop for lunch. On a sunny day, there will be plenty of opportunities along the route to get ice cream. The route ends in the city centre of Utrecht, where you find the world's busiest cycle lane. If you chose to stay in Den Haag, you will again have a longer route to face on this day. In this case, you get to enjoy an amazing, wide cycle lane (ideal for fast road cyclists) for the first half. However, this cycle lane does run parallel to a motorway.
Get ready for a more rural finish on the fourth day. Make sure to load up on some food, as there won't be many vegan-proof options around in this part of the country. But in return, you get to see more trees! If you fancy a longer ride, you can combine the routes of Day 4 and Day 5. An alternative would be to go via Amersfoort, although this makes for a less scenic route.
Amersfoort is a small city close to Utrecht. The main highlight here is the gate (which looks more like a castle) over one of the canals. Another gate with a tower can be found on the opposite side of the city centre. In general, if you enjoy admiring historic houses and cute little streets, you'll want to stroll around the 'Muurhuizen' street.
Besides the canals and parts of a defensive city wall, Amersfoort is home to serveral buildings designed by a renown Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld. For example, the 'Rietveld Paviljoen' is now a moden art gallery. Similarly, there is a museum dedicated to abstract painter Piet Mondriaan. Funnily enough, both Rietveld and Mondriaan where fan of using mainly primary colours (blue, red, yellow).
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Accommodation and food
Not going to lie: you will struggle to find any vegan options along this route. The best idea is to stock up on food in Utrecht and bring it with you on the road. I was very tempted to simply tag a supermarket as the place to get dinner. Finding (sustainable) accommodation, especially when you're not camping, may not be easy either. I would recommend booking a place to stay in advance.
It's a typical Dutch thing to do to indulge on pancakes after (or during) a day of cycling. Luckily, there is a place along this route that serves great authentic Dutch pancakes -- even vegan ones!
Other than the vegan pancake, there aren't any vegan dishes on the menu. However, on request they can whip something together for you. Definitely double check whether the staff understand what 'vegan' is.
If you want to dine out, it's best to call this place in advance and see what they can do. There are currently two vegan-seeming options on the menu, but they are both starters. It's also worth making sure these aren't cooked in butter. If you're vegetarian, there are also two main dishes. Still, the question remains whether you'd want to support such a meat-focused restaurant.
For omnivores, this hotel offers quite a traditional Dutch atmosphere and menu to enjoy!
Campspace is a platform that lets you book camping pitches and unique accommodations across Europe. For your cycle trip, I recommend the DroomDome or Trekking Hut on a small-scale horse farm near the village of Lunteren. Aside from horses, the owner is working on cultivating a small food forest.
It's a rural, off-gride stay close to the city of Ede. Staying at a place like this will give you the real experience of The Netherlands outside of urban areas.
Below you can find the link to the accommodation, as well as a €10 discount link.
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Route
Today's route takes you through the Utrechtse Heuvelrug ('heuvel' means hill). Still, you have nothing to fear from these Dutch hills, as the inclines are moderate at best. In total, you'll climb 3 hills on this day. The highest one is a 50 meter ascend, the lowest only 30. Easy peasy! Near the very end of the route, you'll come across the most central point of The Netherlands. There's a small boulder that marks this point. It's worth looking up the exact location beforehand if you want to see it.
If you want more hills, that's what you get on Day 5! The route crosses two of The Netherlands' most iconic national parks. You will come across some gravel roads, but the average road bike should still be able to handle it. For those interested in (military) history, the Battle of Arnhem may ring a bell. Close to Arnhem, in Oosterbeek, you can visit the War Cementry and Airborne Museum Hartenstein. Alternatively, check out the Open Air Museum to learn more about Dutch history in general. In any case, Arnhem is located in a beautiful, green part of the country that nature-lovers will definitely appreciate.
I would describe Arnhem as a very neat, well-maintained city. The first time I cycled through it, I was amazed by how scenic it looked. When you arrive by train, you also get a first good impression because of the recently renovated station.
The reason Arnhem is a great place to stay is because it's super close to two (of the few) national parks in The Netherlands. Both the 'Hoge Veluwe' and the 'Veluwezoom' are within cycling distance of the city centre. These nature areas can be crossed on foot or on a bike that can handle a bit of gravel.
Within the city of Arnhem itself, there are also a few large parks. And there is some nice cultural stuff going on as well, including several museums and foodhall.
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Accommodation and food
As Arnhem is quite a progressive city, there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian eateries to choose from. Accommodation is likely to be good as well, as you can find campsites and hotels surrounded by green on the outskirts of the urban areas. Still, you will be in reasonable distance of the city centre, especially when you have a bike at your disposal.
For lunch or an all-day-breakfast option, head to First Eet. On Sundays, you can also book a vegan high tea for a very reasonable price of €25. First Eet tries to cook with seasonal produce and has a meat-free kitchen (90% vegan, 10% vegetarian).
First Eet also has a small shop with interior design items and kitchenware. On top of that, they showcase work from local art and design students.
Vegan fine dining -- need I say more?! Restaurant Konijnenvoer (meaning: 'rabbit food') is well-known amongst the vegan community in The Netherlands and worth travelling to Arnhem for. If you're not vegan, it's guaranteed the chefs will convince you that eating plants is not boring at all. As Konijnenvoer is quite popular, making a reservation beforehand is recommended.
Technically located in Velp, this glamping site right in between Arnhem and the national park 'Veluwezoom' is the perfect place to relax. It's green, quiet and comfortable. Buitenplaats Beekhuizen rents out cabins, pods and glamping tents of various sizes. Some even come with a fully equipped kitchen!
The owners of Buitenplaats Beekhuizen take sustainability very seriously. Upon opening in 2016, they planted several native trees as adviced by a landscape architect. Since then, they have gotten rid of unsustainable fire pits and have installed solar panels on some of the glamping tents. There is no ambition to increase the number of lodgings, and the owners plan to strengthen their collaboration with schools and nature organisations.
Lastly, Buitenplaats Beekhuizen is very open to suggestions in terms of sustainability. They are happy to answer your questions and even organise walk-in sessions once in a while.
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Route
This day will take you slightly uphill to cross two national parks. These areas are a unique sight of sandy plains with purple bushes. It's no surprise that this region is one of the most popular parts of the country for leisurely cycling. In the middle of the first park, you can stop to visit the modern art museum Kröller-Müller. Some parts of both parks are paved, but you will certainly come across some gravel-like paths as well. I have cycled here on a road bike before and the views are absolutely worth the somewhat less than ideal road surface.
Nijmegen is another fun city! It is known for its annual walking event, where people walk up to 50 kilometres for 4 days in a row. There are a few fabulous mountainbiking trails nearby that are worth dedicating an extra day to. For those interested in Roman times, a day trip to Xanten will allow you to explore an archeological park, which contains both replicas and real excavations. Otherwise, you can simply spend the afternoon relaxing on the river beach or in one of the Nijmegen parks.
Another city surrounded by a good amount of greenery is Nijmegen. You might have heard this city's name before, as it is known for the 4-day walking event that takes place there every year. I get why they picked Nijmegen, because the area is beautiful!
Nijmegen is a decent-sized city that has a big park and a small riverside beach. But really, the reason you want to go is for the hills closeby. There are good routes for road cycling, but the mountainbike trails are even better! Hikers will also find enough options. And don't be surprised if you suddenly find yourself in Germany, as Nijmegen lies pretty much on the border.
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Accommodation and food
Nijmegen is a fun city that is a bit up and coming. There are lots of students, and the green surroundings make that people here know how to appreciate nature. Unfortunately, though, my favourite food place in Nijmegen closed down. There are still a few good options, but it is no vegan paradise like Arnhem. For accommodation, you just need to check out the linked hotel!
Can't go wrong with falafel if you ask me! FLFL is a small Dutch chain of vegan falafel restaurants. They also cater B2B.
FLFL has a concise menu of harty wraps and bowls. Perfect for an easy lunch that's not too expensive but will definitely fill you up. As the restaurant is quite small without much seating space, it might be nice to find head to the nearby Kronenburgerpark instead.
Bhalu is a yoga studio that also offers tasty vegan food. Their website currently does not seem to be working, but their Instagram gives a great impression of the colourful dishes served here.
Aside from various types of yoga classes, Bhalu is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. I would highly recommend supporting this small, local place and their friendly staff.
With 45 rooms, Guesthouse Vertoef is a medium sized hotel with a large impact. You won't easily find a place in Nijmegen that is equally sustainable. Electricity comes from their solar panels, and warm water is generated by a heat pump. These measures were installed to make the repurposed building entirely fossil-free (it used to house offices).
Even the logo of the Guesthouse is inspired by sustainability: it depicts an igloo, one of the first circular buildings. Circular not as in round, but as referring to circularity. ;)
In terms of suppliers for food, cleaning materials, and more, Vertoef is quite selective. They work together with local businesses that supply organic goods. The bikes you can rent at Guesthouse Vertoef deserve a special mention, as they have been upcycled by people with disabilities.
If you want to know more, I definitely recommend checking out the website. There are several videos about how sustainability measures were implemented. Bonus points for transparency!
* Note: please do not use the booking.com link attached to this pin, but instead book directly via the hotel's own website to combat the exploitation caused by booking.com having a monopoly as an accommodation platform.
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Route
Today's route is very chilled: it starts off with a descent for the first quarter and is pretty much flat for the remaining part. It's a very Dutch route not only because of the flat terrain, but also due to the vicinity of water. You'll cycle in between two major rivers. I would argue against a more direct route, as it is nice to cycle along the water. You finish by crossing an impressive bridge that brings you right into the centre of Nijmegen. Again, it is possible to add on the distance of Day 7 for a faster trip.
It's a relatively short distance to get to Vortum-Mullem, but there are several places along the way where you might want to stop. This region has a lot of history, dating back as far as Roman times. For more recent history, you can visit the Vrijheidmuseum ('freedom museum') and Canadian war cementry near Groesbeek. A bit further south is the Mookerheide, a nature area you will like if you enjoyed the Veluwe. Near the end of the route, you can opt for a small detour to see the ruins of the Bleijenbeek castle. There is also the option to walk parts of the Pieterpad, which is probably the most popular long-distance walking route in the country.
Accommodation and food
The area around Boxmeer will give you a good representation of the non-touristy parts of the Netherlands. This means it is also a bit harder to find sustainability-oriented places, although preservation of local culture counts as well, in my opinion. The options below are as good as it gets: they balance between being authentic and catering to sustainability-minded travellers.
A lovely little place that even has two marked vegan items on the menu. In this region, that's a lot! For vegetarians there are a few more options. There is both inside and outside seating - perfect for any weather!
Brasserie Zuss mainly does lunch, coffee, and afternoon snacks ('borrel' as we say in Dutch). You can also get your food to go if you want to explore more of the surrounding area on foot or by bike.
A plantbased dinner is less easy to find around here than lunch, so you might want to head out a bit further to Overloon. It's far from cheap, but Boompjes does an amazing vegan menu. You'll have to ask for it specifically, but they have experience with catering for vegans, so it will be absolutely fine.
In general, Boompjes tries to make vegetables the main character, even in dishes with meat. They use local produce and have received recognition for their natural, high-quality food from for example Gault & Millau.
The restaurant is owned by a couple who renovated the place to turn it into their dream restaurant.
If you don't feel like going all the way to Overloon after a busy day, or if the food is outside of your budget, 't Drummerke is an alternative option found in Boxmeer.
B&B de Kemp is meant to inspire with awesome views of the surrounding nature, a modernised building in classical local style, and a studio space for art exhibitions. The place has a luxurious feel even though the pricing is very reasonable for Dutch standards.
Breakfast consists of local products provided either by small businesses or grown in the garden at De Kemp. Make sure to mention any dietary requirements, because the standard breakfast includes meat and dairy.
De Kemp also works together with various local organisations on cultural and religious projects to encourage appreciation for the region.
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Route
On this day, you're leaving the city behind and ride towards a small village. It will be a scenic day with plenty of woodlands and cute towns to pass through. You will probably come across some forested areas that are not entirely tarmac, especially if you take the longer option through Germany. There should not be too much gravel, though, so road bikes will survive this day as well. For the longer route, you have to work slightly harder, as the first half is designed to incorporate some more hilly bits. For both route options you need to take a small ferry to cross the river at the end. In summer months, it runs until 21:30 in the evening.
Tegelen is attached to Venlo, and both places have a train station. This makes it possible to start or end your trip here (or shorten it by skipping some of the cycling). There is not much to do in Tegelen, except for visiting the open air theatre. However, shows are like to be in Dutch. Another unique experience is found just over the border in Germany, where Californian sequoia trees are grown. Open times are very limited, so plan your visit in advance!
Accommodation and food
The accommodation in Tegelen is truly epic: you get to sleep in a castle with beautfiul gardens nearby. In terms of food there are plenty of places in Venlo and Tegelen that can serve vegan or vegetarian dishes.
Bikmik (meaning 'eat bread' in the local dialect) is a cute coffee place located on the market square in Venlo. It has a few clearly labelled vegan options, and more vegetarian ones. If you're vegan and don't like avocado, you might want to give this place a miss, though!
As most places in this area, Bikmik works with local suppliers and tries to cook with seasonal ingredients. The coffee is imported from Italy to serve you the best espresso.
This trendy café is part of a music venue and serves sharable streetfood dishes at all times of day. There are some additional items specifically served as lunch. The menu offers lots of choice, including a load of vegan and vegetarian options. Even meat dishes can be replaced by a vegan alternative upon request.
In short, Café Grenswerk is the perfect place for a finger-licking (literally) meal where you don't have to worry if the staff understand what 'vegan' means. It's also within 20 minutes from the hotel by bike.
Although this hotel is part of a small chain, it is too cool not to include. It is also not as expensive as you might expect to sleep in this castle (though certainly not cheap, either).
The rooms look a bit old fasioned, but the breakfast has been revamped to include more plantbased options. They have also said goodbye to single-item packaging, meaning that some steps have been taken towards a more sustainable breakfast. Of course, turning a castle into a hotel also helps preverse the heritage of the historic building.
The staff are also happy to advise you on cycling routes in the vicinity of the hotel. Sadly, this particular branch doesn't have secure indoor bike parking. There is bike parking available outside, with charging points for e-bikes.
It's hard to find more info on the Château's sustainability measures, so it would be good to inquire on this topic. Hopefully that will stimulate the staff to be more transparant and include additional information on the website.
* Note: please do not use the booking.com link attached to this pin, but instead book directly via the hotel's own website to combat the exploitation caused by booking.com having a monopoly as an accommodation platform.
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Again, there are two options. If you want to stick to tarmac roads and experience a more typical Dutch route, the first option is best. It's the most straightforward way to get to the next destination, and mainly passes crop fields. The second route option takes you past more natural parks. In this case, the day starts off with the ferry again in order to cycle on the opposite side of the Maas river. Whereas you will start off on soft ground amongst the trees, the last bit before Venlo will also be on tarmac and agriculture-themed.
Make sure to stock up on food, because there is not much around in Koningsbosch in terms of vegan friendly restaurants or supermarkets. It might actually be nice to go into Germany for a bit, as German supermarkets are known in the Dutch vegan community as having lots of great plant-based products. Other than that, try to enjoy the rural surroundings; perfect for a short digital detox!
Accommodation and food
As said, Koningsbosch is not the most lively place in the country, but the quiet has its own charm. For food, I recommend having a lunch stop in Roermond, where there are at least a few meat-free options. You will likely be staying the night at a small-scale campsite or B&B.
Market squares are often the busiest places on a sunny day, as they are surrounded by restaurants and full of outdoor seating. To give you the prime experience, Ome Jeu is a traditional looking restaurant that does offer a good selection of vegetarian and vegan options. It's a casual place, so you can expect sandwiches, burgers, roasted veggies and quiche.
Ome Jeu cooks with local, seasonal ingredients. After the aspargus harvest, there is even a dedicated aspargus menu (and yes, it includes a vegan dish!).
Due to the lack of (somewhat sustainability-oriented) restaurants in Koningsbosch, your best option is to get fresh local produce at this farm shop to cook your own meal.
Next to the shop, this farm hosts all kinds of workshop. It also functions as a care farm for people with severe learning disabilities. The farm is run by a family.
Another green mini-campsite that you can book through Campspace. This accommodation is hosted by a Dutch-Japanese family. You can choose between a self-built log cabin made from natural materials and a caravan. The campsite features basic cooking supplies and a compost toilet in the forest. A perfect place to unwind.
Below you can find the link to the accommodation, as well as a €10 discount link.
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Route
Near the end of the cycling trip, this will be a welcome easy day. The surroundings will be typically Dutch, meaning flat farmlands. The roads should all be tarmac with dedicated bike lanes, although you may have to share the smaller roads with cars. Drivers are used to this (and you will probably be as well at this point), so there is nothing to worry about. Just enjoy the sights on this second to last day of cycling through The Netherlands.
The final day ends in the historical city of Maastricht. Make sure to pay a visit to the famous 'Dominicanen' bookshop located in a church. From Maastricht, you can take the train back to wherever you started. I do suggest staying in Maastricht for at least one full day to explore the nearby caves, the city's defensive walls and some museums. It is also a good place for further cycling into Germany or Belgium, for instance to Aachen or Liège. From Maastricht, you can also cycle (parts of) the Amstel Gold Race course and its challenging hills. The longer route option for Day 10 actually incorporates this already.
Maastricht is a lovely city full of history and beautiful buildings. The city dates back to the Roman era when the first bridge across the river Maas was built. The 'Maastricht Museum' is worth a visit for anyone who loves history.
Other fascinating museums include one about the natural history of the region, the 'Museum of Illusions', and a 'Fotomuseum'. Although not technically a museum, you can also tour the casemates, which are defensive underground tunnels.
In terms of churches, you'll want to head over to the main square called 'Vrijthof'. Over there, you'll find an impressive red church tower, a basilica filled with majestic-looking artefacts, and a chapel. You can climb up the iconic red tower of the 'St. Jan's Kerk' for a panaroma view of the city. I'd advice you to check the calendar of the church, as it closes for private events quite regularly, especially in summer.
Aside from everything there is too within the city, Maastricht is the gateway to many hilly cycling and hiking routes. This way, you can combine an active holiday with a citytrip. If you're still unconvinced that Maastricht is a must-visit destination, I recommend sneaking a look at its famous bookshop 'Dominicanen'. Perhaps that could be the last push you need to realise how much this old Dutch city has to offer!
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Accommodation and food
There are plenty of restaurants and ho(s)tels or B&B's to choose from in Maastricht. This southern city is a popular place for city trips amongst Dutch people, and for good reason! There are enough vegan-friendly places to suit all types of appetites, but it's worth having a plan of where to go. 'Normal' restaurants are likely to have few good meatless options. My favourite place for lunch and a suggestion for dinner are shown below (sadly a few vegan places I visited before have closed down).
The burritos at BABS ('bomb ass burritos') are as good as they get! You can pick the ingredients and the choose the appropriate level of spiciness. The burritos will definitely be enough to fill you up as a dinner dish, even after a day of cycling. BABS offers meat options, but the Mexican kitchen is incredibly suitable for plant-based diets, so you really won't miss out on the meat by going for the vegan/vegetarian option.
The staff are also friendly and in for a laugh. Besides, the location is close to the train station and the interior is trendy. I would definitely go back to BABS burritos when I visit Maastricht again!
This fully vegan restaurant can be visited for either lunch or dinner. The menu is full of comfort food including the Dutch staple 'kapsalon' (a must-try if you ask me!). You can also opt for a combination of starters if you like sharing and tasting everything.
Bar Verde is located outside of the city centre, but this makes for a perfect after dinner walk. A visit to Bar Verde can also be combined with exploring the Sint-Pietersberg or a cave tour.
The Green Elephant is a trendy hostel with a luxurious feel. You get a healthy juice upon check-in and you have access to spa facilities. But there's more: the hostel also has a mini gym, a small urban forest, you can rent SUP boards, and there is a washing machine. Most importantly, there is secure bike parking. And we haven't even gotten to the sustainability aspects yet!
Breakfast includes plenty of gluten-free and vegan options and no single-item packaging. The Green Elephant also works together with local suppliers as much as possible. For the interior of the hotel, the most sustainable options were chosen. Wall-paint is vegan, the floor of the restaurant is made of cork and the walls are made of certified wood.
Of course, The Green Elephant also does the basic things such as exclusively using LED-lighting, recycling waste, decreasing the use of paper through online check-ins, providing sustainable, vegan shampoo, etc. The hostel discourages the use of cars, as it's located near the train station and does not have any car parking spaces available. Way to go! The other hotels in the LGB group adhere to similar sustainability standards, but they are not quite as cool as The Green Elephant in my opinion.
* Note: please do not use the booking.com link attached to this pin, but instead book directly via the hotel's own website to combat the exploitation caused by booking.com having a monopoly as an accommodation platform.
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Route
As you come closer to Maastricht, the terrain starts becoming hillier. The first part of the route is some easy cycling through Germany. At about three quarters in, you ride through the town of Valkenburg, which is a nice place for a stop. It's known for its mines, caves and castle ruins. All in all, this route won't take up a full day, hence why there is also a longer (and much more challenging) option. The difficult route starts out the same but branches off after Valkenburg to reach the highest point in The Netherlands and the place where 3 borders meet (The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium), before turning back towards Maastricht. This route is as hilly as it gets, so it's a good way to finish your Dutch cycling adventure.
I hope you've found this guide to be helpful in planning a cycle trip to The Netherlands. You can find more information on cycling holidays and sustainable travel on my blog (see link below).
Please let me know what you think of this guide, and share it with your friends and family! I would be especially grateful if you could leave a review. If you have any questions or want more tips on sustainable travelling, do get in touch via my Instagram page @the.sustainable.travel.guide
Hi! Welcome to The Sustainable Travel Guide. My name is Lotte and I want to help you travel more sustainably.
On Thatch, I provide city guides focused on sustainability, and custom travel planning. I can help you decide where to travel to and how to make sure your journey benefits the planet through a 1-on-1 consultation call. I also provide custom recommendation packages for places to stay, eat, and more. Or, if you're into cycling trips like me, let me plan your bikepacking route as a custom itinerary.
In short, you're in the right place if anything like a vegan food tour, scenic train rides, eco-hotels or cycling trips get you excited!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.
