{"id":355514,"date":"2026-07-08T21:27:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T21:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/amsterdam\/the-best-cycling-routes-from-amsterdam-7-bike-rides-into-the-dutch-countryside-amsterdamian\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T21:27:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T21:27:17","slug":"the-best-cycling-routes-from-amsterdam-7-bike-rides-into-the-dutch-countryside-amsterdamian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=355514","title":{"rendered":"The Best Cycling Routes from Amsterdam: 7 Bike Rides into the Dutch Countryside | Amsterdamian"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I grew up on a bike, so cycling itself wasn\u2019t a thing I had to learn when I moved to the Netherlands. What I learned in Amsterdam was how quickly you can leave the city and be in the middle of nature or open fields where animals graze, how much freedom you have when you travel on your bike. The first time I followed the Amstel River south I was amazed how the countryside starts almost immediately, that within twenty minutes the buildings just stop and the fields takes over.<\/p>\n

There are many bike routes in this country, and a great biking infrastructure. There are routes for beginners and for seasoned bikers, and you can do any route, starting from wherever you want, because you can take the bike in the train with you. There are even dedicated routes for mountain biking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

But if you want to just start directly from Amsterdam on a regular bike and not involve a train (or take it only for a part of the ride), I put together a list of routes that go out from the centre in every direction. Cycling is the loveliest way I know to act on the Dutch love of a dagje weg<\/a>, and if you\u2019d rather reach a town by train and explore on foot, see my day trips from Amsterdam<\/a> guide too. <\/p>\n

One practical thing before you go. The Netherlands has a wonderful system of numbered fietsknooppunten<\/em> (bike nodes), little green signs at every junction. Plan your ride as a string of numbers at routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl<\/a> and you can cross the whole country following signs alone. <\/p>\n

\"Bikes<\/a><\/figure>\n

This page contains affiliate links. If you click and book, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Easy bike trips from Amsterdam<\/h2>\n

Under 25km. Comfortable for anyone, on any bike, on any given afternoon.<\/em><\/p>\n

Amsterdamse Bos (South-west) | ~8km from centre <\/h3>\n

Amsterdamse Bos<\/a> is where I go when I don\u2019t want to think about where I\u2019m going. It\u2019s roughly 1,000 hectares, which is about three times the size of New York\u2019s Central Park, with 50km of cycle paths threading through woods, past a rowing lake, alongside meadows where the only sensible thing to do is stop and sit for a while. It\u2019s eight kilometres from the centre to the forest and it\u2019s well worth the ride.<\/p>\n

On the way down, near the southern edge of the Amstelpark, look out for the Riekermolen, a drainage mill from 1636 standing on the bank of the Amstel. There\u2019s a small bronze statue of Rembrandt sitting beside it, because this is roughly where he used to come to sketch the polder. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s no fixed route here, which is the whole point. Ride in, follow whatever path looks good, and turn for home when you\u2019ve had enough. Or go for pancakes at Boerderij Meerzicht first.<\/p>\n

\"Amsterdamse<\/a><\/figure>\n

Amstel River to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (South) | ~20km return <\/h3>\n

This is the first ride I\u2019ve done from Amsterdam<\/a>, so it holds a certain nostalgia for me. It\u2019s really easy: you follow the Amsteldijk south along the east bank, past houseboats, and the city is gone pretty soon. The road stays quiet, the river keeps you company, as do the animals you encounter along the way (cows, sheep, goats). You can return to Amsterdam on the other bank of the river, for a bit of variety.<\/p>\n

Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is a small village ten kilometres south, with a row of terraces along the water that fill up the moment the sun appears. <\/p>\n

\"Bike<\/a><\/figure>\n
\"View<\/a>
View over Ouderkerk aan de Amstel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Durgerdam (North-east) | ~21km loop <\/h3>\n

Durgerdam is a small village, one street of old fishermen\u2019s houses lined up along the water. More city and less nature on this one, but the destination offers a scenic view and it\u2019s an easy ride. You can get there through the route in Amsterdam Noord (which involves the free F2 ferry from behind Amsterdam Centraal), or through Amsterdam Oost (East). <\/p>\n