To the gardens of Amsterdam

This cycle route simply follows the cycle junction network. The route takes you past the following junctions:
05, 56, 54, 55, 58, 65, 43, 44, 45, 44, 16, 15, 55, 54, 52, 05

Starting point: Amsterdam Central Station – address: De Ruijterkade, Amsterdam

More information and inspiration
For all routes in the beautiful Gooi & Vecht region and further tourist information, go to the official Tourist Info site of the region: www.visitgooivecht.com.

Short description
This bicycle route, which can be easily followed via bicycle junctions, leads from Amsterdam Central Station via the east out of the city towards the beautiful historic Gooi and Vecht region. This area has traditionally been appropriately nicknamed 'The Garden of Amsterdam', and with good reason: it is a unique historic 'garden' full of castles, country estates, picturesque farming villages and fortified towns. Everything is embedded in a rich nature consisting of extensive forest and heathland areas, lakes and Holland's most impressive river, the Vecht.

Would you like to know more about 't Gooi and the Vecht region? Finally, you will find a more detailed story about this.

This route takes you from the heart of Amsterdam to the north-western part of the Gooi & Vecht region, where you visit the beautiful fortified towns of Weesp and Muiden, pleasantly located on the truly beautiful river Vecht.
From Amsterdam Central Station you set course for the oldest part of Amsterdam where you will also find the Red Light District and the Nieuwmarkt. You pass the market on the Waterlooplein, the Stopera and drive along the Amstel towards the Transvaalbuurt. Where the Amstel and the Ringvaart intersect, turn left to leave Amsterdam along the Ringvaart and set course for the 'Garden of Amsterdam'.
Once you have left the city behind, the route continues along extensive meadows with wide canals, old Dutch windmills and with plenty of opportunities for a picnic or just to rest in the beautiful recreational areas and forests. For example, at the Diemerbos there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature.

Then you arrive at the actual destination of this tour: the old fortified towns of Weesp and later Muiden. Both beautifully situated on the river Vecht and both well worth a visit. Cycle or walk around in these towns, you will come across many nice shops, beautiful fortresses and fortifications and also the most pleasant restaurants with terraces for snacks and drinks. From the terraces you have a great view on all the boats that sail by. 
In Muiden you can visit the impressive Muiderslot (Amsterdam Castle) or even take the boat crossing to Forteiland Pampus, located in the IJmeer. On the way back you will arrive at the edge of Amsterdam along the beach Blijburg. This beach is not directly on the route, but is well worth a short drive for it.

Destinations along the route: Amsterdam, Diemen, Weesp and Muiden.
Highlights and attractions along the route: Diemerbos, Gaasperplas, Fortified towns Weesp and Muiden, the Muiderslot (Amsterdam Castle) and Blijburg Beach.
Particulars: on the way you will pass forts, mills, polders, forests, restaurants and café's with terraces and recreational areas in between.

Route extensions - 2 options: 
Extra round along the Vecht 'De Vechtroute' – 21 km extra
At Junction 44, halfway through your route, you can choose to extend your route by switching to a cycling route along the northern part of the Vecht (the most beautiful river in the Netherlands!) - Vechtroute (21 km). Along the way you will pass various sights and restaurants and there is room for relaxation by the water.
Additional nodes to follow: 44, 45, 47, 46, 40, 39, 1, 41, 42, 43

Extra round through Fortenland 'Farmland nature route Vechtvallei' – 28.5 km extra
Are you particularly interested in beautiful old fortified towns and defensive history? Then definitely follow this route as an extra extension! You can change to this route in Muiden at Junction 16. The route takes you to beautiful Muiderberg (with a beach!), the best-preserved fortified town in the Netherlands, Naarden-Vesting, the beautiful Naardermeer and Fortress Uitermeer.
Additional nodes to follow: 16, 17, 18, 33, 34, 49, 48, 45, 44, 43, 15, 16

Practical information for your bike ride
Bicycle rental
You can rent a bicycle at the departure point (Central Station). There are also children's bicycles or bicycles that you can use to easily transport your child(ren). In front of the Passenger Terminal, on the east side of the station, you can also rent bicycles for your trip. We recommend that you reserve your bike in advance if possible. Tip: don't forget to bring cash for the deposit and your ID with you.

Bike rental CS | Stationsplein 12, Amsterdam | Phone. +31 (0)20 - 624 83 91
Bike rental MacBike | Stationsplein 5, Amsterdam | Phone. +31 (0)20 - 6200985
For bicycle rental in the Gooi & Vecht region check visitgooivecht.com.

Charging points for e-bikes
Halfway through the route there is a charging point between KP 43 and 44, at Groeneweg 18 in Weesp (Van der Linden Tweewielerspecialist). At the end of the route, back in Amsterdam, there are two more charging points between KP 52 and KP 05. These are located at Timorplein 23 (Indische Buurt West) and at the Electric Scooter Shop at Zeeburgerpad 55 in Amsterdam Zeeburg.
For more charging points, check fietsoplaadpunten.nl

Bicycle repair on the road
Halfway through the route you can go to the station in Weesp for repairs to your bicycle. There is also a bicycle rental service here. It is therefore also possible to take the train from Amsterdam to Weesp and take one of the above-mentioned extra bicycle rounds through the Garden of Amsterdam directly.
Bicycle rental Weesp | Rijwielhandel Oldenburger, Stationsplein | Phone. 0031 (0)294-411690

More about the 'Garden of Amsterdam'
The Garden of Amsterdam comprises two regions: the lower, wetter Vecht region and the high and dry Gooi. These areas in the middle of the Netherlands together form the Garden of Amsterdam. This area, with a wealth of history and nature, is a stone's throw from the major cities of Amsterdam, Utrecht and Almere, and forms a special oasis where you can enjoy nature in peace.

The Vecht region
The Vecht region is named after the river Vecht that flows through it as a proud rich vein. It is by far the most beautiful river in the Netherlands, on which the wealthy Amsterdam merchants had their imposing country houses built in the 17th century. Even today you can cycle, walk or sail the river with a rental sloop and admire this special Amsterdam legacy. In the Vecht region you will also find the Loosdrecht lakes, the water sports paradise of the Netherlands. There are also the beautiful nature-rich Ankeveense Plassen and the Naardermeer. Beautiful historic places such as the fortified towns of Naarden, Muiden and Weesp, the Vechtdorpen Breukelen and Maarssen and the country village of 's-Graveland can be found in the Vecht region.

't Gooi
The Garden of Amsterdam also includes 't Gooi, which has become the 'Hollywood of Holland' since the rise of television. An area with truly beautiful villages with old farm centers full of special (luxury) shops, surrounded by capital villas where Dutch celebrities have settled. Laren, Blaricum, Huizen, Bussum, all exude the rich Gooi atmosphere. All this is located in the extensive forest and heathland that together form the Goois Nature Reserve. Hilversum is the bustling heart of 't Gooi, the Media Capital of the Netherlands with, among other things, its magnificent Institute for Image & Sound, the largest Media Park in Europe and a pleasant and extensive shopping area.

More information and inspiration
For all routes in the beautiful Gooi & Vecht region and further tourist information, go to the official Tourist Info site of the region: www.visitgooivecht.com.