Cycling the Netherlands
An 11-day photography trip through some of the most beautiful Dutch landscapes.
The trip
With some time to spare in September 2026, I thought about a photography trip. But where to? Somewhere photogenic ofcourse, somewhere magical, somewhere… faraway?
Just as I was fantasizing about distant travel locations, I ran into the story of someone hiking around the Netherlands, showing just how much there is to explore nearby if you take the time and pay attention. I was instantly inspired — that was the kind of trip I wanted to make! A solo trip along some of my favorite dutch natural landscapes, cycling and hiking, with just a camera and a minimum of supplies. Photographing both along the way and on mini-adventures during a few planned stayovers.
The route
I thought of a route that spanned most of the country, but quickly realized that both cycling and photography take time, and the maybe 10 days I figured I was going away would double or even triple in lenght. So, I picked my favorite spots and planned a route that would fit 10 days. Well, 11 days, but close enough.
day to day
To ensure places to stay as close as possible to nature reserves I want to visit, I planned most of the trip beforehand. I’ve taken into account that I want to be able to visit certain areas very early (before sunrise) or at the end of the day, ideally while leaving my supplies somewhere. Here’s what that looks like:
Day 1, Cycling from THE HAGUE to VOGELENZANG
On day 1, I’m cycling from The Hague where I live, to Vogelenzang, 40 kilometers north along the coast through nature reserve de Hollandse duinen.
Day 2, Exploring the Amsterdamse Waterleiding Duinen
Day 2 is for exploring the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen, photographing the landscape and, hopefully, capturing wildlife such as deer and foxes.
Day 3, Cycling from Vogelenzang to Bergen (NH)
After 2 nights in Vogelenzang, I’m cycling 55km further north along the coast to Bergen for a 2-night stay near nature reserve the Schoorlse Duinen.
Day 4, exploring the SChoorlse duinen
Day 4 is for exploring & photographing nature reserve the varied landscape of the Schoorlse duinen with its high dune tops and beautiful dune forest.
Day 5, traveling from Bergen to Beekbergen
For the next patch of my trip I’m traveling by bike, 2 ferries, a train, and bike again towards my next stop in Beekbergen on the Veluwe.
Day 6, Exploring Bruggelen
During a 2-night stay stay in Beekbergen, I’ll be exploring the forest area Bruggelen and nearby heathland ‘t Leesten — an area I often visited while growing up.
Day 7, Cycling from Beekbergen to Arnhem
Day 7 will be a short 20km cycle trip to get to my next stop just north of Arnhem nearby national parc De Hoge Veluwe.
Day 8, Exploring De Hoge Veluwe
On the third 2-night stay, I’ll explore national parc De Hoge Veluwe and the nearby heathland de Posbank, hopefully (still) in bloom in the course of September.
Day 9, Cycling from Arnhem to Doorn
For the final stretch of my trip, I’ll cycle 40km from Schaarsbergen to Doorn in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Day 10, Exploring the Utrechtse Heuvelrug
During my last 2-night stay I’ll explore the Utrechtse Heuvelrug with my camera. Exact location(s) to be decided.
Day 11, Traveling from Doorn to The Hague
On the last day of my trip I’ll travel back home again from Doorn to The Hague by bicycle, train and bicycle again.
What I’ll capture
During my trip, I will take photos and also create some video footage that showcases the beauty and diversity of Dutch nature. My aim is to create an authentic visual account of what it is like to travel around the Netherlands, slowly and present.