Alphen aan den Rijn, Boskoop, Bodegraven

Cycle 55 kilometres through the water-rich landscape of South Holland on this beautiful cycle route. As you wind your way along the Nieuwkoopse Plassen, you will soon understand why this is a popular spot for meadow birds. Lapwings and black-tailed godwits share the breeding grounds and wade through the watery meadows in search of food.

You will cycle through the old, charming town of Alphen aan den Rijn. Due to its location on the northern border of the former Roman Empire, the Oude Rijn, people have lived here for thousands of years. Many remains have been excavated along the entire Rhine, telling the stories of the mighty Roman Empire.

Much of the route runs through the Green Heart. This region is known for its green surroundings and delicious local products. You will experience both during this route! You will cycle past various farms and local shops that are only too happy to let you taste all the delicacies they have to offer. At Kaasboerderij de Graaf, you can buy the most delicious cheeses and take a tour of the farmyard and the farm. A little further on, in the village of Bodegraven, you will also find the Cheese Museum. Here you can learn how cheese was made in the past and how production works today.

You can also buy these delicious local products at Streekwinkel Proef de Tuin. In addition to delicacies from their own garden, they also sell tasty products from the region. If you enjoy a good beer, the local beers from Brouwerij de Molen are an absolute must. The brewery loves to experiment, resulting in a diverse and exclusive range.

You can cycle from the farm to the beer and from the beer back to the farm. In addition to all the delicious local produce, there is also plenty of nature to discover in this area. After all, the region is not called ‘Het Groene Hart’ (The Green Heart) for nothing.