CYCLING ROUTE
De Outdoor Fietsroute
Thijs de Jong39.7 kmDuration: 3 hours
Ask Thijs about his favourite route and you'll know the answer. It has everything: town, village, water, heath, forest and sand. In 39.7 kilometres you cycle past every landscape the area around Harderwijk has to offer, from the historic harbour to the drifting sands of the Beekhuizerzand.
On an e-bike it keeps you happily busy for a good few hours. Depending on where you want to slow down, eat, drink and explore, you can easily make a longer day of it.
The start: towards the town centre
You start at junction 64 and ride via junctions 46, 10 and 11 into the centre of Harderwijk. The route takes you past the historic harbour, where you can still see traditional wooden fishing boats (botters) moored at the quay, and then onto the recently renovated boulevard. Cosy terraces, views over the water. The boulevard calls for a first stop, so go ahead and take one.
At junction 82 you can make a short detour to Strandeiland Harderwijk. There you'll find beach pavilion Walhalla right on the Veluwemeer, or you can pick a terrace at Restaurant de Admiraal. After that, you cycle along the Wolderwijd shoreline towards Veluwe aan Zee.
Along the water
Between junctions 9 and 7 you'll find beach bar Drift, a fairly new spot with views over the Wolderwijd. On the other side you can see Zeewolde. There's almost always something happening on the water: kitesurfers, windsurfers, rowers. A good place for a break.
After that you head inland, through the little hamlet of Horst. Meadows, sweeping views, the peace of the open countryside. And so you cycle on towards Ermelo.
Ermelo: time to stretch your legs
In Ermelo you ride through the village via junctions 91, 92 and 93. The Stationsstraat and the Horsterweg are just around the corner. If you fancy a break, you'll find Van Sprang, restaurant De Dorpskamer and restaurant De Boterlap here, among others. Ermelo has a friendly village feel with a long shopping street.
The Ermelosche Heide
After Ermelo you head into nature via junction 77, passing under the Ermelo barracks and straight towards the heath. This is where the most beautiful part of the route begins.
The Ermelosche Heide turns purple, these days from as early as late August. Open views, a light breeze, the scent of heather. You cycle straight across it towards junction 96, after which you head into the forest via junctions 11 and 83 towards Staverden.
Staverden: the smallest town in the Benelux
Staverden is officially the smallest town in the Benelux, with around thirty inhabitants and town rights since 1298. Here you'll find Staverden Castle with its 17th-century castle gardens, Stadsbrouwerij Staverden in the former coach house, and Brasserie Staverden, once voted the Best Terrace in the Netherlands. Coffee, lunch, drinks or just a stroll through the gardens: Staverden is one of the loveliest places to stop on the route.
Through the Leuvenumse bos
After Staverden you cycle uphill through the Leuvenumse bos, past streams such as the Molenbeek, the Leuvenumse Beek and the Hierdense Beek. In the middle of the forest lies restaurant De Zwarte Boer, an inn with a history dating back to 1600. A good spot for drinks or a late lunch in the shade of the trees.
After that the route climbs further through the forest until you reach junction 42.
The Beekhuizerzand
At junction 42 you turn left towards the Beekhuizerzand, the drifting sands just outside Harderwijk. Junction 20 has a lovely spot for a rest. Then you cycle via junctions 50 and 6 back to junction 64: the starting point.
The perfect day trip on an e-bike
On an e-bike, 39.7 kilometres is no effort at all, yet it's enough for a full day without having to rush. Set off early and you'll have time to stop several times: a coffee in Harderwijk, lunch at Staverden, drinks at De Zwarte Boer or a drink on a terrace by the Wolderwijd.
Town, village, water, heath, forest and sand: this route shows you everything. Hence the name: De Outdoor Fietsroute.
Want to ride this route? Hire an e-bike at Outdoor Harderwijk and you'll get the full route description when you set off.
Great fun! Plenty of time along the way to stop at a terrace for a coffee and a slice of cake, or just to stop and enjoy the surroundings.
Translated from Dutch
A good reason to come back
39.7 kilometres of cycling works up an appetite. Back at Outdoor Harderwijk, Thijs and Anne take care of the rest.
Start the day with lunch, or round it off with drinks and nibbles in the open air. Prefer to end in style? The Outdoor BBQ is ready and waiting: hearty cuts of meat, fresh salads and plenty of time to talk over everything you've seen that day. From a lunch buffet to an extensive drinks package, there's always something to suit your day.
Take a look at the Outdoor Harderwijk menu or request your package and Thijs and Anne will be happy to help you plan.
Cycle junctions
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently asked questions about De Outdoor Fietsroute in Harderwijk
How long does De Outdoor Route take?
The route is 39.7 kilometres and takes about 2.5 hours of pure riding time on average. Add in breaks at Staverden, by the Wolderwijd or in Ermelo and you can easily spend half a day or a whole day out.
Where does the route start?
You start at junction 64, setting off from Outdoor Harderwijk at Boekhorstlaan 1 (3847 LP) in Harderwijk. Free parking on site. Before you set off or when you get back, you can enjoy good food and drinks with us.
Is the route suitable for children?
Yes. On an electric cargo bike you can easily take young children along. Older children can ride their own e-bike or city bike, or pedal along on a tandem.
Do I have to navigate the route myself?
The route follows the Veluwe cycle junction network. When you set off, you'll get a route description with all the junctions in order. Along the way, everything is clearly signposted.
Can I get something to eat or drink along the way?
Definitely. You can come to Outdoor Harderwijk for lunch, drinks or a BBQ, which you can plan in advance with one of our packages. There's also plenty along the way: the Harderwijk boulevard, beach bar Drift by the Wolderwijd, restaurants De Dorpskamer and De Boterlap in Ermelo, Brasserie Staverden and restaurant De Zwarte Boer in the Leuvenumse bos.
By Thijs de Jong
The outdoors is his natural habitat. As Chief Outdoor Officer, Thijs knows the Veluwe like the back of his hand and makes sure you head out with the best route, a well-adjusted bike and all the explanation you need. Behind the scenes, he keeps everything running smoothly. And every now and then, he'll simply pour you a cold beer.
Ready for adventure? Discover our activities!
At Outdoor Harderwijk you'll enjoy the most fun outings with friends, family or colleagues. Choose your adventure and make memories.
