Discover the Dutch National Parks
Naarden - Utrecht - Rhenen - Otterlo - Harderwijk - ZwolleGet off the beaten track! The Netherlands, well known for its endless cycling roads, also has a hidden off-road gem for gravel biking: the National Park Green Divide Tour. Cycle over 5 days from Amsterdam to the Hanseatic city of Zwolle through dense forests and wide-open heathlands.
Spot the Dutch Big Five and wildlife in the Veluwe National Park. Visit charming cities and don’t miss the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to a renowned Vincent van Gogh collection and an impressive sculpture garden. Escape the bustling cities and find peace while riding your gravel bike on hard-packed gravel, dirt roads, and cycling paths. Experience the Netherlands from a different perspective.
If a gravel bike is too challenging we also have an E bike version of this tour available. The route then sometimes deviates from the original route and thus goes more on paved bike paths.
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Facilities
Advantages of a Tulip Cycling tour:
● Carefully planned itinerary to suit your interests and pace – or let us tailor-make your own tour.
● Only individual departures – choose your start and finish dates to fit in with your other plans.
● Tour introduction and end-of-tour meeting attended personally by our own expert staff.
● Our equipment and support is top rated to give you peace-of-mind.
● With our hotel bookings and luggage transport option, we provide you a full-service package.
Please note: This tour begins on a cycling day. We recommend arriving in the Netherlands a few days earlier and booking at least one pre-tour overnight in Amsterdam and/or in Naarden, which is an attractive fortified town. Naarden is just 30 minutes on a direct train from Amsterdam. Your tour ends in Zwolle which is 1.5 hrs. by train to Amsterdam.
Day 1 Naarden – Utrecht (50 km)
You will start in Naarden, a small fortress town with a rich history. Cycle through the old streets and enjoy the striking defensive city walls. From there, you'll quickly find yourself on hard-packed gravel. Forests and heath fields offer just a first glimpse of what's to come in the days ahead. Today’s destination is the city of Utrecht, a student town famous for the Dom, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. Many Dutch people even prefer Utrecht over Amsterdam as their favorite city.
Day 2 Utrecht – Rhenen (58 km)
Today, we will cycle across the Utrechtse Heuvelrug towards Rhenen nearby Arnhem. The Heuvelrug is a remnant of the Ice Age, a sand ridge with vast forests and beautiful views of the river landscapes that the Netherlands is known for. You will ride through the first section of the national park. As you cycle along shell paths and through forests, you’ll notice that the Netherlands is not as flat as it seems. But don't worry—nowhere does it get truly steep. Along the way, you'll pass through several picturesque villages and enjoy coffee with apple pie at one of the many terraces. A wonderful introduction to Dutch nature.
Day 3 Rhenen– Otterlo (58 km)
Today, one of the cultural highlights of this tour is on the agenda. You will visit the Hoge Veluwe National Park. With some luck, you might spot deer, wild boars and mouflons. One of the park's highlights is the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to an extensive collection of Vincent van Gogh's works and a vast sculpture garden. Take your time to absorb all the beautiful art. You will finish in Otterlo, at the edge of the park, where you can relax and reflect on today's route and enjoy the wellness center.
Day 4 Otterlo – Harderwijk (58 km)
Today, you’ll take your bike and cycle from Otterlo to Harderwijk The route takes you through Radio Kootwijk, a former radio transmitter park on the Veluwe, west of the city of Apeldoorn. In the first half of the 20th century, it was an important communication link between the Netherlands and its former colonies, particularly the Dutch East Indies. Built starting in 1918, it still stands proudly in the middle of the heathlands. You will then continue through dense forests an open heathlands. Enjoy cycling on hard-packed gravel towards Hanseatic city Harderwijk. You would never have thought that nature in the Netherlands could be so beautiful.
Day 5 Harderwijk – Zwolle (66 km)
Today, the final stage. Enjoy the beautiful gravel paths through nature one last time, and before you arrive in Zwolle, make sure to visit the historic town of Hattem. In 1784, it was one of the hotbeds of patriotism against the king, and today it is a charming town with an small but very nice bakery museum. After visiting Hattem, you will see your final destination, Zwolle, across the river IJssel. Another Hanseatic city with a rich history, it marks the end of your journey. Over 360 kilometers of mainly unpaved yet well-maintained paths are now behind you. From here, you can take the train back to Amsterdam or stay for another night and explore the following day the old streets of Zwolle begore you take the train to Amsterdam.
Starting dates
Daily from March 29 till September 27
Prices 2025 in Euro - No peak season charges - Prices include all taxes | ||
Item | Price from | |
Per person, sharing (daily luggage transport by courier service) | € 1,255 | |
Single room surcharge | On request | |
Extra nights in Utrecht, Rhenen, Otterlo or Harderwijk | On request | |
Pre and post tour accommodation in Amsterdam, Naarden or Zwolle | On request | |
E-bike supplement per person | € 140 | |
Additional items | Price list | |
Discount | Amount | |
Discount for groups of 4 or more | 10% |
Not included in your package:
● Small ferry crossings where necessary (a few Euros per crossing, most require cash)
● Optional activities like entry to museums
● Optional equipment insurance covering theft and damage (€35 per hybrid bike or €55 per e-bike per tour)
● Tulip Cycling is not liable for the impact of any adverse weather conditions on your tour.
● Tulip Cycling can offer you SPD or flat pedals for this tour. You may also bring your own pedals
● Helmets are mandatory on this tour, if you ride a gravel bike. We recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
You will be staying in comfortable 4* hotels. . Your package price includes breakfast and tourist/city tax at all hotels.
The below are sample hotels, subject to availability. Tulip Cycling may suggest alternatives as appropriate.
Utrecht – Hotel Mitland ****
Rhenen – Hotel 't Paviljoen ****
Otterlo – Hotel de Sterrenberg ****
Harderwijk – Hotel Baars ****
Included in this tour
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5 days of biking (gravel- and E-bike version available) |
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4 nights in 4 star hotels |
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Breakfast |
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Gravel- or E-bike rental (with repair kit, pump, lock and helmet) |
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Waterproof small pannier (not for gravel bikes) |
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Door to door route on GPS device and maps |
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Personal start and finish |
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Breakdown assistance and 24/7 help desk |
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Additional tourist information |