Prices
Is this tour for me?
Get In Touch
Highlights
Lead yourself through the green landscapes and charming villages of South Holland by bike
Cycle a mesmerizing loop from Utrecht, embarking on joy rides on the easy flat terrain of Holland’s Green Heart.
Pedal alongside low-lying peat meadows, delightful woods, vast polders, and sparkling lakes.
Enjoy exciting stops along the way in the “cheese town” of Gouda and the magnetic capital, Amsterdam.
Pedal the tranquil inner canals of Utrecht and explore the city’s gorgeous Museum Quarter.
Cycle in a real-life Dutch picture book on this 5-day self-guided cycling tour of Holland’s beautiful Green Heart.
Tucked between the major cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague lies Holland’s Green Heart (Groene Hart), a spellbinding rural oasis made up of low-lying peat meadows, enchanting woods, vast lakes, and charming Dutch villages. This nature-lovers paradise provides an ideal setting for a cycling tour, where each day unfolds under beautiful blue skies amidst serene pastoral landscapes complete with grazing cattle.
Beginning in the city of Utrecht, you’ll explore its peaceful inner-city canals and gorgeous districts like the Museum Quarter. Then, you’ll ride to the Netherlands’ dynamic capital, Amsterdam. Following a full day of revelling in the city rich in history, culture, and impressive architecture, you’ll continue, crossing the Green Heart to the “cheese town” of Gouda. After filling up on the sights, cheese, and waffles of Gouda, you’ll return to Utrecht, where the tour concludes.
Your journey will take you through the serene Dutch countryside, inviting you to explore charming, quaint villages, each steeped in rich culture and tradition. The landscape is remarkable and peppered with rivers, polders, lovely woods, and old stately homes, and castles.
A flat route makes for easy cycling on quiet roads and trails, ensuring you have ample opportunities to revel in the idyllic settings. Accommodations on the tour are comfortable 3-star and 4-star hotels, keeping you well-rested for exciting days on the bike.
Discover the beating heart of Holland and experience some of the most beautiful landscapes the country has to offer. Don’t miss out—book your spot on Holland’s Green Heart Cycling Tour today!
Cycle in a real-life Dutch picture book on this 5-day self-guided cycling tour of Holland’s beautiful Green Heart.
Tucked between the major cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague lies Holland’s Green Heart (Groene Hart), a spellbinding rural oasis made up of low-lying peat meadows, enchanting woods, vast lakes, and charming Dutch villages. This nature-lovers paradise provides an ideal setting for a cycling tour, where each day unfolds under beautiful blue skies amidst serene pastoral landscapes complete with grazing cattle.
Beginning in the city of Utrecht, you’ll explore its peaceful inner-city canals and gorgeous districts like the Museum Quarter. Then, you’ll ride to the Netherlands’ dynamic capital, Amsterdam. Following a full day of revelling in the city rich in history, culture, and impressive architecture, you’ll continue, crossing the Green Heart to the “cheese town” of Gouda. After filling up on the sights, cheese, and waffles of Gouda, you’ll return to Utrecht, where the tour concludes.
Your journey will take you through the serene Dutch countryside, inviting you to explore charming, quaint villages, each steeped in rich culture and tradition. The landscape is remarkable and peppered with rivers, polders, lovely woods, and old stately homes, and castles.
A flat route makes for easy cycling on quiet roads and trails, ensuring you have ample opportunities to revel in the idyllic settings. Accommodations on the tour are comfortable 3-star and 4-star hotels, keeping you well-rested for exciting days on the bike.
Discover the beating heart of Holland and experience some of the most beautiful landscapes the country has to offer. Don’t miss out—book your spot on Holland’s Green Heart Cycling Tour today!
Read more
Holland’s Green Heart Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive
Your cycling tour of Holland’s Green Heart begins in Utrecht, a beautiful city defined by its lively atmosphere, roots as an ancient university town, and its impressive city center. If your arrival time permits, head to explore the city on foot after checking into your hotel. Take a detour from the city’s major streets, and you’ll find yourself in a charming labyrinth of narrow lanes connecting hidden courtyards.
Enjoy the first evening of your tour here, and get ready for an exciting day on two wheels tomorrow.
Overnight Location: Hotel Utrecht
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Cycle the River Vecht and Amsterdam
Rise this morning, as the anticipation builds for your first day on two wheels exploring Holland’s Green Heart. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then set out along the banks of the pretty River Vecht. You’ll take in several stately 17th- and 18th-century homes along the route this morning, characteristic of the area and complete with stunning garden pavilions.
Arrive in Amsterdam, and find yourself in a world of innumerable inner-city canals, hundreds of bridges, and bikes—lots of bikes! Amsterdam is a city for exploring and savouring. It’s brimming with art, culture, and fascinating history. For a different perspective of the capital, perhaps take a canal boat tour to admire the unique canal houses or post up on a patio to people watch and revel in the magnetic city spirit.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Amsterdam
Distance: 63km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Cycle the Rural Green Heart
Today, you’ll embark on a mesmerizing ride across the Green Heart, passing wondrous ancient Dutch towns and villages along the way.
Arrive in Gouda, also known as the “cheese town,” which has plenty more to offer than just delicious cheese. As you meander the city streets, don’t miss the Gothic town hall, which dates to the year 1450, and the impressive stained glass windows in St. John’s Church. If you’re fortunate enough to land in Gouda on a Wednesday, you’ll want to check out the Thursday morning cheese market, which is sure to give any gouda you’ve had in the past a real run for its money.
Beyond its famed cheese, Gouda is also famous for its artisan candles and delicious waffles. Soak in the charm of this unique town, enjoying all it has to offer.
Please note, there is an option to split this day by booking an extra night in Woerden, cutting the riding distance from 80 kilometres to 30 kilometres and 49 kilometres over two days.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gouda
Distance: 80km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Ride to Utrecht
Admire the endless rivers, polders, woods, marshes, and lakes of the Green Heart this morning as you continue the loop back to Utrecht.
Once back in Utrecht, take a stroll in the city’s beautiful Museum Quarter or enjoy some shopping on its quieter streets.
Enjoy one final evening of the tour in Utrecht, reminiscing on the memories made in Holland’s beautiful Green Heart in recent days.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Utrecht
Distance: 67km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Depart
This morning after breakfast, your tour comes to an end. Check out and head to the airport to depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures The departures are available daily (with some exceptions), from April 1st to September 27th .
- Single room: from EUR800*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR519*
Accommodation on the Holland’s Green Heart Cycling Tour
This tour is based on hotels. Hotels on this tour are 3-star and 4-star and offer either basic or modern amenities to ensure you have a pleasant and comfortable stay. Accommodations are well-located and offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Holland’s Green Heart Cycling Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 4 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Utrecht are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour. Your bike rental and airport transfers are not included but can be booked in advance as a supplement.
Also Included
- Detailed route notes and maps
- Tourist information on all places of interest
- GPS tracks (on request)
- Tourist city tax
- 24/7 emergency phone support
- Luggage transfers
Not included
- Bike rental and GPS
- Guide services
- Flights to and from Amsterdam
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Bike rental
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Upgrade to half board
- Additional services and biking equipment rental
- Airport transfers
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- How hard is the Holland’s Green Heart Cycling Tour?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the Netherlands?
- Are meals included on the Holland’s Green Heart Cycling Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Utrecht to start this tour?
- Where does the Holland’s Green Heart Cycling Tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Child bike: 40 EUR
- Hybrid bike: 48 EUR
- Premium bike: 80 EUR
- E-Bike: 100 EUR
- Child seat: 20 EUR
- Bike theft insurance: 12 EUR
- E-bike/premium bike theft insurance: 24 EUR
- Child trailer: 70 EUR
- Helmet: 10 EUR
- GPS: 20 EUR
- What equipment does bike rental include?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to the Netherlands?
- Are there any travel restrictions for the Netherlands?
- When is the best time to travel to Netherlands for this tour?
We rate this tour a 3 / 5. You should be comfortable riding up to 80 kilometres in a day. The terrain is completely flat, making for a nice, easy ride.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills, and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
4 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
Fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). You can reach Utrecht by train, which takes approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
The tour ends in Utrecht. You can reach the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) by train, which takes approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to the airport as a supplement in advance or arrange your own private transfer.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Bikes available are 21-gear hybrid bikes, 27-gear premium touring bikes, race bikes, tandem bikes, or e-Bikes.
Bike rental includes a chain lock, a saddlebag, and a repair kit.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to South Holland for this cycling tour is mid-April to October when the weather is at its best. July and August see the greatest number of tourists. This tour is available from April to September, allowing you the option to travel during the spring, summer, or early fall.
Customer Ratings
Operating since 2017, Dutch Biketours knows how to immerse travellers in Dutch life–best done on a bike, of course! Their experienced staff can lead your trip planning, or they can take your ideas and tailor a custom itinerary that reveals the charm of the Netherlands.
