Alkmaar, Petten, Schoorl

From Petten to Alkmaar? That promises a varied cycle route full of nature and culture. You start in the seaside town of Petten, right on the North Sea. Here you can enjoy the wide sandy beach and the Hondsbossche Sea Dike, which protects the coast from the sea. From the dunes, you have a stunning view of the sea and beach.

From Petten you head towards Alkmaar, famous for the traditional cheese market at the Waagplein. Especially on Fridays, the place is buzzing with activity: cheese porters in white outfits, bartering with handclaps, and the smell of artisanal cheeses make you feel like you've stepped into a living piece of history. But Alkmaar is more than cheese: it has charming canals, small boutiques and cosy terraces.

Along peaceful cycle paths, you’ll soon find yourself in the vast nature area of the Schoorl Dunes. This is one of the widest and highest dune areas in the Netherlands, with sand drifts, dense forests and heathlands constantly shifting. You might even spot a Scottish Highlander here.

After Schoorl, you pass picturesque villages and ride past classic old Dutch windmills that recall the water management of the past. These mills, often still in use, together with the green meadows and ditches, form a typical Dutch scene.