Cycle all the way around the Northeast Polder in Flevoland in one day? Take up the challenge with this 135-kilometre cycling route! You cycle through the largest forest in the Noordoostpolder, winding along cycle paths to the former coast of the Zuiderzee and then find yourself among world harbours.
At the foot of the striking Urker lighthouse, you couldn't start your tour of the Northeast P…
Cycle all the way around the Northeast Polder in Flevoland in one day? Take up the challenge with this 135-kilometre cycling route! You cycle through the largest forest in the Noordoostpolder, winding along cycle paths to the former coast of the Zuiderzee and then find yourself among world harbours.
At the foot of the striking Urker lighthouse, you couldn't start your tour of the Northeast Polder in a more beautiful way. On an outer dike cycle path, you ride along the dike on the border with the IJsselmeer before diving into the polder. You cycle through the largest and oldest forest in the Noordoostpolder, meander along smooth cycle paths to the former coastline of the Zuiderzee and then find yourself in a testing ground for waterworks from all over the world. And that's not all... Click the Description tab below for more information on this route.
Download the GPX route with south and east winds.
Download the GPX route at north wind.
Note: With a westerly wind, you will end the route with a headwind on both riding directions.
On an outer dike cycle path you ride along the dike on the border with the IJsselmeer. Once warmed up, you get into a delightful flow as you watch the bike path head for the sky. Alternating with a passage through the polder, the route leads to the northernmost point in the characteristic Frisian town of Lemmer.
From the Grietenijdijk, you dive back into Flevoland with a loop through the Kuinderbos, the largest and oldest forest in the Northeast Polder. There, under the shelter of the trees, you meander along winding smooth cycle paths. At Kuinre, you turn back onto the old sea dyke. Where you cycle now on the border between Flevoland and Overijssel, the coastline of the Zuiderzee used to run. The old country with its traditional farms hidden behind the dike contrasts with the Northeast Polder with its vast farmlands.
Back in Flevoland, you can stop at Pavilion the Trial Lab in the Waterloop forest for a break halfway. This forest was once a testing ground for waterworks from all over the world. You'll find scale models of the Delta Works and Bangkok Harbour, among others. Afterwards, you seek out the borders of the Northeast Polder again, including trips to the old islands in the Zuiderzee. At Zwarte Meer, you pass the 135-metre-long artwork Pier + Horizon. Back in the polder, an elevation in the landscape with a beacon looms up: the former peninsula Oud-Kraggenburg. You cycle sheltered between orchards to Ens. From Ramsdijk, you dive to the former seabed. But not for long: via a cycle path you reach the ‘beaches’ of the former island of Schokland, a World Heritage Site since 1995. During a loop over the northern tip of the island, you can admire the old lighthouse and lighthouse. After passing the Ketelbrug bridge, you will see the former island of Urk with its lighthouse. After your trip, reward yourself with a tasty fish in the harbour!
