Enkhuizen to Wadden Islands

About This Tour...

The island hopping route

This tour is more about island hopping with your bike than making long distance miles. You can make it up as you go. It begins at the NS train station in Enkhuizen, where you take the ferry across the IJsselmeer to Stavoren in Friesland. In the summer months, these waters are a playground for beautiful Dutch sailboats. From the ferry terminal in Stavoren, your cycling journey begins as you head north to the old maritime and picturesque town of Hindeloopen. From there, continue on to Workum, where you should consider an overnight and enjoy this warm Frisian town.

As you continue north along the IJsselmeer to Makkum, you can make friends with the ever-present sheep walking along the dijks! Although it's difficult to see from the bike path, be sure to acknowledge the Afsluitdijk as you go past. This dijk was built in 1932 to protect Holland and this region from the North Sea. It is of significant importance in Dutch water history. Harlingen is your final stop where you can catch a ferry over to Vlieland or Terschelling. See the printable map for ferry travel options.

Update:  The bike path across the Afsluitdijk was closed in mid 2019 in order to begin a major engineering project by raising and strengthening the dijk against rising sea levels due to climate change. This is scheduled to take 3 years and will provide a modern upgrade for cyclists when it's complete, so be sure to come back and check it out!

Tell me about the ferry to Vlieland

Looking for an added adventure?

If continuing on to the island of Texel from Vlieland, you'll enjoy the unique ferry experience offered by elevated boardwalks across the beach and sand. Go between the Posthuys and De Cocksdorp by truck and ferry.