Easy cycle route planning starts at the top of the screen with the fields From and To. You can also select ‘My Current Location’ (which is determined by your internet connection to our website. When you visit the Route Planner your computer will ask if you give permission for it to pass on your location. If you decline, you will see a map of the whole country). Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to change your current location.

As you begin to type in one of the text fields, the Route Planner will come up with suggestions for the locations you are looking for. This can be a street name or address, but also for example a train station, a café or a museum. (See list of available locations). Once the correct location comes up you can click on it.

Once both fields are completed you can click on Get Directions.

The Route Planner now calculates your route. The default route type is Limited Stops, which is an easy to follow cycle route. After a few moments your route will appear on the left-hand side along with options for printing, exporting to GPS, saving and sharing via email, Twitter, Facebook and Google+. For saving your routes, you need to have created a free Fietsersbond account.

From the drop-down menu you can change the route type. As soon as you choose a different route type the Route Planner calculates a new route. So for example, you can easily change to a scenic route or a Junction Network one. See the list of route types for more information.

By clicking 'More Options' you can fine tune your route. You can avoid certain tracks and obstacles, change the route type and add Via points.

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Preferences

Avoid shortcuts - Shortcuts are short sections of the route that cannot officially be cycled such as footpaths (where the cyclist should technically dismount but in practice often does not) and stairways with gutters to the side for wheeling bicycles. Shortcuts are used in routes where dismounting for a short time may save a lot of time cycling to reach the same point.

Note: When choosing route type: LF-Routes (National Cycle Network) or Junction Network the Route Planner may continue to make use of a shortcut even if Avoid Shortcuts is selected.

Avoid unpaved - This avoids unpaved cycle paths and semi-paved surfaces in bad condition.

Note: When choosing route type: LF-Routes (National Cycle Network) the Route Planner may continue to make use of unpaved paths even if Avoid Unpaved is selected.

Avoid Ferries - Selecting this will aim to avoid all ferries (veerponten) including those that operate around the clock all year round. If you only want to avoid seasonal ferries or those with limited operating times then select 'avoid not always accessible'.

Note: If 'Avoid Ferries' has been selected and your chosen route cannot be made without a ferry crossing you can scroll through the route directions in the left-hand column to find the blue ferry icon. By clicking on the icon the map will zoom in to the location of the ferry. Clicking on the ferry icon on the map will give many more details of the crossing in question.

Avoid not always accessible - this option allows you to avoid ferries that have limited operating times and the few cycle tracks that are not always accessible 24/7 (such as those in the popular De Hoge Veluwe National Park which close at night).

Changing route type

Here you can select the different route types and by clicking on the i icon you can get a short explanation of each route type.

Configuring your own advanced route type

You can configure your own advanced route profile which allows further fine-tuning of your route preferences. Of particular interest is the avoidance of obstacles for wide bikes (e.g. wide trailers or tricycles) and/ or long bikes (e.g. tandems). The most common serious obstacles for large bikes are slalom barriers (designed to slow cyclists to slower than walking pace and often located just prior to a cycle path encountering a dangerous T-junction with limited visibility) and field gates (for access to cycle paths across fields with livestock). Also note you can indicate your preferences to reduce the number of cobblestoned or brick roads or increase the amount of street lighting if cycling at night.

Adding Via points

Under the standard From and To fields you will now find an additional field for adding a Via point. This works the same way as the From and To fields. You can also add Via points by clicking on the map.

Note: with current Route Planner functionality, when adding multiple Via points, they must be done in route order as they cannot be re-ordered once placed, only deleted.

Clicking on the green Get Directions button will calculate your new route.

You can input route points in two ways: Using the input fields at the top of the page or by clicking on the map. Clicking on the map will place a flag and open a text window giving the option of From, Via and To. Continue this for each point you wish for your route.

NOTE: with current Route Planner functionality, when adding multiple Via points, they must be done in route order as they cannot be re-ordered once placed, only deleted.

After calculating a route any of the flags or route points can be dragged and dropped at a new location on the map once. If additional position changes are required, the Get Directions button needs to be re-clicked.

Every region in the Netherlands has a comprehensive network of signposted cycle junctions called fietsknooppunten, marked with round green and white signs with one or two digit numbers. For visitors, this is the easiest way to navigate around on short or long cycle trips. At many junctions there are map boards so maps do not need to be carried by the cyclist.

With the Fietsersbond Route Planner you can easily make use of the Junction Network by selecting route type Junction Network. The Route Planner makes maximum use of the Junction Network and otherwise uses the Limited Stops profile.

Switch on the Numbered Junction map overlay by clicking on the grey numbered junction button at the top of the map. The green lines between the junctions is the cycle path network. Also is revealed the long-distance LF route network highlighted in red.

To add a junction to your route simply click on it. A text window opens giving the option to choose From, Via and To. Select the appropriate one to add the junction to your route.

NOTE: with current Route Planner functionality, when adding multiple Via points, they must be done in route order as they cannot be re-ordered once placed, only deleted.

Use the mouse to add more junctions to your route as required. To see a list of points added select More Options at the top of the screen. Here you can also select Combined Networks (Combinatie fietsnetwerken) which will use a mix of Junction Networks and LF-routes.

Click on Get Directions to calculate your route.

Limited Stops (default)

With limited stops we mean that this route uses cycling paths alongside roads and main cycling routes as much as possible. It also avoids traffic lights when there is a good alternative. Routes of this type are therefore not always the shortest but are relatively quick to cycle. You can easily follow them and the route is relatively easy with minimal turnings. To follow the route you often just have to look at the map.

With this profile you will not encounter obstacles for regular or long bikes.

Shortest Route

The shortest route is the route where you cover the shortest distance. In built-up areas, the shortest route is often not the best route, using many turns, and many obstacles, small streets and alleys and you will often have to use residential streets in place of bike paths. Outside built-up areas, it can sometimes send you over roads with lots of traffic.

Racer Route

The racer route uses roads with a good surface, preferably asphalt. It avoids narrow, crushed shell paths, and doesn't use unpaved roads. The route prefers roads with a more or less recreational character and roads outside urban areas. In this route you will find no obstacles for normal, long and wide bicycles.

Recreational Route

Recreational routes lead you to paths and roads that are 'beautiful'. In our planner, beautiful means a balanced mix of nature, beautiful scenery, with picturesque and unique views typical of the area (even in urban areas e.g. pleasant architecture). The route is often low-traffic and can sometimes coincide with LF routes or numbered junction routes, but can leave these routes just as easily.

Scenic Route

The scenic route stays as much as possible outside urban areas. Outside ‘untouched’ nature areas it will lead you as much as possible along open countryside, and within urban areas through parks or via bike paths or roads with lots of green and few cars.

Car-restricted Route

The car-restricted route aims to reduce the cyclists exposure to road traffic and its attendant noise and pollution. This profile makes maximum use of separated cycle paths, roads that are quiet, and bike paths that are not right next to busy roads. Also you'll see fewer traffic lights because traffic lights are usually at intersections with heavy traffic.

Junction Network

Every region in the Netherlands has a comprehensive network of signposted cycle junctions called fietsknooppunten, marked with round green and white signs with one or two digit numbers. For visitors to the area, this is the easiest way to navigate around on short or long cycle trips. At many junctions there are map boards so maps do not need to be carried by the cyclist. This profile makes maximum use of the Junction Network and otherwise uses the Limited Stops profile.

LF-Routes

LF-Routes are the long distance National Cycle Routes which cross the whole of the Netherlands from one side to another and from end to end. The LF-routes provide probably the best overall combination of path surface quality, signposting, scenery and separation from cars but they consequently attract the largest amount of recreational cycle traffic (including pelatons of racers training at speed near urban areas).

This profile uses the LF network, unless you specify route points that are not on the LF network. Outside the LF network, the route uses the numbered junction network and then the limited stops profile.

Combined Networks (Combinatie fietsnetwerken)

This route profile uses both the numbered junction network, as well as the LF routes.

Advanced

Here you can create your own route profile. This allows further fine tuning of your route preferences. Of particular interest is the avoidance of obstacles for wide bikes (e.g. wide trailers or tricycles) and/ or long bikes (e.g. tandems). The most common serious obstacles for large bikes are slalom barriers (designed to slow cyclists to slower than walking pace and often located just prior to a cycle path encountering a dangerous T-junction with limited visibility) and field gates (for access to cycle paths across fields containing livestock). Also note you can indicate your preferences to reduce the number of cobblestoned (kinderkopjes) or brick roads (klinkers) or increase the amount of street lighting if cycling at night.

This section provides suggestions for some of the best cycle routes the Netherlands has to offer sorted by length, province and/ or town (Woonplaats).

Use the sliders on the left to narrow down your prefered length of tour and choose a province and / or town. Click the green button (Zoek routes), and a list of routes will appear. Click on the route name button and it will appear on the map.

Eneco is an international sustainable energy company, with operations in the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, France and Belgium. The Eneco Group headquarters are located in Rotterdam.

Eneco has a sponsorship policy that fits our sustainable operations and meets our social responsibility. The core of the sponsorship policy revolves around a popular and sustainable form of transport: the bicycle. Within our sponsorship of cycling we try to add value for all cyclists and to show what we stand for: A committed, long-term partnership. By supporting the Cyclists' Union cycling route planner, we try to encourage people to choose for the bicycle, both on recreational trips as on functional trips. 

Eneco - All for sustainability

With limited stops we mean that this route uses cycling paths alongside roads and main cycling routes as much as possible. It also avoids traffic lights when there is a good alternative. Routes of this type are therefore not always the shortest but are relatively quick to cycle. You can easily follow them and the route is relatively easy with minimal turnings. To follow the route you often just have to look at the map.

With this profile you will not encounter obstacles for regular or long bikes.

The shortest route is the route where you cover the shortest distance. In built-up areas, the shortest route is often not the best route, using many turns, and many obstacles, small streets and alleys and you will often have to use residential streets in place of bike paths. Outside built-up areas, it can sometimes send you over roads with lots of traffic.

The racer route uses roads with a good surface, preferably asphalt. It avoids narrow, crushed shell paths, and doesn't use unpaved roads. The route prefers roads with a more or less recreational character and roads outside urban areas. In this route you will find no obstacles for normal, long and wide bicycles.

Recreational routes lead you to paths and roads that are 'beautiful'. In our planner, beautiful means a balanced mix of nature, beautiful scenery, with picturesque and unique views typical of the area (even in urban areas e.g. pleasant architecture). The route is often low-traffic and can sometimes coincide with LF routes or numbered junction routes, but can leave these routes just as easily.

The scenic route stays as much as possible outside urban areas. Outside ‘untouched’ nature areas it will lead you as much as possible along open countryside, and within urban areas through parks or via bike paths or roads with lots of green and few cars.

The car-restricted route aims to reduce the cyclists exposure to road traffic and its attendant noise and pollution. This profile makes maximum use of separated cycle paths, roads that are quiet, and bike paths that are not right next to busy roads. Also you'll see fewer traffic lights because traffic lights are usually at intersections with heavy traffic.

Every region in the Netherlands has a comprehensive network of signposted cycle junctions called fietsknooppunten, marked with round green and white signs with one or two digit numbers. For visitors to the area, this is the easiest way to navigate around on short or long cycle trips. At many junctions there are map boards so maps do not need to be carried by the cyclist. This profile makes maximum use of the Junction Network and otherwise uses the Limited Stops profile.

LF-Routes are the long distance National Cycle Routes which cross the whole of the Netherlands from one side to another and from end to end. The LF-routes provide probably the best overall combination of path surface quality, signposting, scenery and separation from cars but they consequently attract the largest amount of recreational cycle traffic (including pelatons of racers training at speed near urban areas).

This profile uses the LF network, unless you specify route points that are not on the LF network. Outside the LF network, the route uses the numbered junction network and then the limited stops profile.

This route profile uses both the numbered junction network, as well as the LF routes.

Here you can create your own route profile. This allows further fine tuning of your route preferences. Of particular interest is the avoidance of obstacles for wide bikes (e.g. wide trailers or tricycles) and/ or long bikes (e.g. tandems). The most common serious obstacles for large bikes are slalom barriers (designed to slow cyclists to slower than walking pace and often located just prior to a cycle path encountering a dangerous T-junction with limited visibility) and field gates (for access to cycle paths across fields containing livestock). Also note you can indicate your preferences to reduce the number of cobblestoned (kinderkopjes) or brick roads (klinkers) or increase the amount of street lighting if cycling at night.

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