Would you like to experience the versatility of the Flevopolder? Then cycle this route. The excursion combines the well-known Oostvaardersplassen with the new nature reserve De Grote Trap; that’s where it gets its name.
Cycling on the dike, you can imagine the pioneering spirit of the fortune seekers who shaped this land; the largest artificial island in the world. From here you can see how far under sea level the new land lies! You enter the Horsterwold and zip past the Veluwerandmeren on the 8km-long route through the new strip of nature between Zeewolde and Almere. At the end of your tour, you can enjoy the Oostvaardersplassen... Click below on the Description tab for more information about this route.
Download the GPX route when a south and west wind blows.
Download the GPX route when a north and east wind blows.
Warm your legs up during a loop through the sheltering Hollandsche Hout. Then get onto the Knardijk that was established around 70 years ago to drain the Flevopolder. Cycling on the dike, you can imagine the pioneering spirit of the fortune seekers who shaped this land. The Oostelijk Flevoland polder was finished in 1957, the adjoining Zuidelijk Flevoland followed in 1968. The largest artificial island in the world became reality. From the dike you can see how far under sea level the new land lies!
At Zeewolde you enter the Horsterwold, with its 3700 hectares one of the largest continuous deciduous woods in the Netherlands. At the southernmost point of the route you zip past part of the Veluwerandmeren at Erkemederstrand recreation area. Then it’s time to set a course back to Lelystad.
After passing through the Horsterwold a second time, go along a cycle path that winds between the gently rolling meadows populated with Hereford cattle. This is the 8 km-long route through De Grote Trap, a new strip of nature between Almere and Zeewolde. Where once a multi-lane highway was envisaged, this delightful cycle path was opened two years ago.
At the end of your tour, you can enjoy the Oostvaardersplassen, the well-known region with large grazers. This region together with the Marker Wadden forms part of the new Nieuw Land National Park. At Almere you weave over the Jan van den Boschpad with majestic panoramas over the marshes, waterways and bird flocks. Then get on the smooth asphalt of the cycle path on the Oostvaardersdijk. While picking up speed, you can enjoy the view of the glistening Markermeer and the sparkling Oostvaardersplassen. Boats bob on the water. Then turn back on the Knardijk with its cobblestones that still reminds us of the pioneering time.
At the end of the circuit, you have cycled from shore to shore and looked out over both the Markermeer and the Randmeren. It only took 90 km. Did you expect such a varied route in Flevoland!?
Nature
Distance: 96 km
Starting point: Buitencentrum Oostvaardersplassen, Kitsweg 1, 8218 AA Lelystad.
★★★★☆ Winding
★★★★☆ Green
★★☆☆☆ Water
★★★☆☆ Open Flevoland
★★★☆☆ Wind*
Coffee break
Beachpavilion De Jutter, Erkemederweg 79, 3896 LB Zeewolde
Extra stop: pick up some fruit at Fruithal Smits
*Wind
It’s true there are no hills in the polder! But you can still train those uphill muscles on our own Great Headwind Wall, because plenty of wind is always available in Flevoland. We can help you not to encounter the Great Headwind Wall too often (and cycle into a considerable open stretch against the wind): cycle this route clockwise with a south and west wind (standard route). Go counter-clockwise with a north and east wind.
Pay attention!
A number of comments and warnings are given for this route:
Fun for the partner/family
The route begins at the visitors’ centre of the Oostvaardersplassen. From this point several fun walking routes for adults and children originate. Not far from the start lies Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet, the ship, the Batavia, and Batavialand museum. There is something for people of all ages.
The route passes through the Horsterwold, a stunning nature reserve with many lovely walking routes.
