Cycling Route into the countryside
Cycle a bit further afield and you can reach the town of Zaandam. On this route you’ll pass Zaandam windmills, the famous Zaan river and the Zaanse Schans. You’ll also pass through lovely Dutch countryside for most of the journey there.
Distance – 38km
Time spent cycling – 2.5 hours
1. City Centre -> Cross the River IJ
– Starting in the centre (I’m using Discount Bike Rental as a starting point), cycle North towards Centraal Station. At the back of the station are the ferry terminals where you can board free passenger ferries to the North of Amsterdam. Get on the next ferry heading to Buiksloterweg.
2. Straight to Zandaam
– Once off the ferry cycle straight to Zaandam. From Buiksloterweg this will take approx 55 mins (17km). For a small part of this stretch, the cycle path runs adjacent to the main road, but most of the journey is past Dutch countryside. When you get to Zaandam, get off your bike near De Kat and you’ll see the famous windmills.
3. Zaanse Schans
Whilst here you can explore the Zaanse Schans, a quaint and vibrant little village with lots of places to stop for a coffee and bite to eat. Also here is a chocolate factory, which you’ll probably be able to smell from afar. It’s very stunning and picturesque, but can attract a lot of tourists especially towards the end of Spring / beginning of Summer.
4. Back towards Amsterdam
– From Zaanse Schans cycle down the road Provincialeweg towards Inntel Hotels. This hotel is a famous landmark due to its architectural design, representing a lively stacking of various traditional houses that you’ll have just seen in the Zaan region.
– From here continue towards the ferry station that will take you back to the south of the river. If you fancy stopping off before you board the ferry, I’d recommend Het HEM. This is a newly renovated culture center housed in a 10,000 square metre former munitions factory. Het HEM exhibits works by different artists each season (called ‘chapters’) and also features a library, restaurant, music venue and artist studios.
5. Passenger Ferry
– Continue to the ferry terminal and catch the short passenger ferry back to the south of the river, to Veer Hempontplein. From the ferry you’ll see another famous Dutch landmark, The Kissing Couple, which is easily accessible once you get off the ferry.
– The last stretch of the cycle is a 30 minute journey back towards Amsterdam Centraal. If you fancy stopping off for dinner you’ll pass nearby Troost, my favorite microbrewery and burger restaurant which is located in Westerpark. You’ll also pass De Pizzabakkers on Haarlemmerdijk, a great pizza place.
