The 'Country Houses and Lakes' cycle route is a full day out! You cycle past Dutch landscapes with windmills, monumental farms, numerous castles and country estates and water-rich nature reserves. Along the many lakes on this route, you will pass, among others, Utrecht's largest windmill: that of Polder Westbroek and Polder Buitenweg. The mill played an important role in draining the polders. Further on are the Maarsseveense Plassen, a lovely recreational area with sandy beaches, sunbathing meadows, fine catering establishments and the possibility of various water sports. The Loosdrecht Lakes are also a highlight on this route. Nature is breathtaking. Via the dyke, you cycle right through the lakes, a unique experience! Then the Vecht takes you along and winds past the many 17th-century country houses, mostly built by Amsterdam merchants. This allowed them to escape the hot, busy city in summer and spend their time here in the peace and nature. The Vecht was the ideal location, as there was a good train barge connection between Amsterdam and the country estates. So feast your eyes as you cycle past all these beautiful villas. You will learn much more about this beautiful region at the museums you encounter along the way. Be sure to visit Regional Museum Vredegoed, the Vecht Regional Museum and the Castle Museum of Zuylen Castle. Photo: ©Marisa Elisa Photography
Directions | Distance | Total distance | |
Start: Oostwaard 3, 3611 AW Stichtse Vecht | 35.4 KM | ||
From
45
to
62
|
1283 M | 1.3 KM | |
Head northeast on Nedereindsevaart | 147 M | ||
Turn right | 430 M | ||
Turn right onto Tuinbouwweg | 242 M | ||
Turn right to stay on Tuinbouwweg | 143 M | ||
Continue straight | 60 M | ||
Continue onto Maarsseveensepoort | 261 M | ||
You are now at section 62 | 0 M | ||
From
62
to
47
|
537 M | 0.5 KM | |
Head northeast on Maarsseveensepoort | 15 M | ||
Make a slight right onto Herenweg | 66 M | ||
Turn left onto Hazelaarspad | 308 M | ||
Continue straight | 107 M | ||
Continue straight | 41 M | ||
You are now at section 47 | 0 M | ||
From
47
to
48
|
2666 M | 2.7 KM | |
Head northwest on Berkenpad | 1 KM | ||
Continue right onto Elzenpad | 378 M | ||
Turn left onto Nedereindsevaart | 1.3 KM | ||
You are now at section 48 | 0 M | ||
From
48
to
49
|
1958 M | 2 KM | |
Head northwest on Heuvellaan | 2 KM | ||
You are now at section 49 | 0 M | ||
From
49
to
27
|
1001 M | 1 KM | |
Head northwest on Laan van Niftarlake | 372 M | ||
Turn left onto Nieuweweg | 51 M | ||
Make a slight left | 573 M | ||
Turn right | 5 M | ||
You are now at section 27 | 0 M | ||
From
27
to
28
|
6717 M | 6.7 KM | |
Head north on Herenweg | 1.7 KM | ||
Make a slight right onto Nieuw-Loosdrechtsedijk | 5 KM | ||
You are now at section 28 | 0 M | ||
From
28
to
26
|
1829 M | 1.8 KM | |
Head northwest on Nieuw-Loosdrechtsedijk | 575 M | ||
Turn right onto Jaap Zeldenrijkplantsoen | 17 M | ||
Make a slight left onto Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk | 55 M | ||
Turn right to stay on Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk | 1.1 KM | ||
Make a slight right | 64 M | ||
You are now at section 26 | 0 M | ||
From
26
to
7
|
2994 M | 3 KM | |
Head northwest on Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk | 2.9 KM | ||
Make a slight right to stay on Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk | 47 M | ||
Turn left onto Horndijk | 10 M | ||
You are now at section 07 | 0 M | ||
From
7
to
25
|
3798 M | 3.8 KM | |
Head south | 11 M | ||
Turn right onto Veendijk | 3.8 KM | ||
You are now at section 25 | 0 M | ||
From
25
to
2
|
1597 M | 1.6 KM | |
Head southwest | 15 M | ||
Turn left onto Mijndensedijk | 1.6 KM | ||
You are now at section 02 | 0 M | ||
From
2
to
84
|
2846 M | 2.8 KM | |
Head southwest on Zandpad | 2.8 KM | ||
You are now at section 84 | 0 M | ||
From
84
to
87
|
1871 M | 1.9 KM | |
Head southeast on Zandpad | 1.9 KM | ||
You are now at section 87 | 0 M | ||
From
87
to
46
|
3288 M | 3.3 KM | |
Head southeast on Zandpad | 1.9 KM | ||
Make a slight left onto Diependaalsedijk | 214 M | ||
Turn right to stay on Diependaalsedijk | 906 M | ||
Turn right onto Kaatsbaan | 154 M | ||
Continue onto Breedstraat | 84 M | ||
You are now at section 46 | 0 M | ||
From
46
to
45
|
3033 M | 3 KM | |
Head east on Breedstraat | 254 M | ||
Continue onto Huis ten Boschstraat | 81 M | ||
Turn right onto Zandweg | 2.7 KM | ||
You are now at section 45 | 0 M |