EuroVelo 12: North Sea Cycle Route (Netherlands)

Ride the Dutch coastline from the German border to Belgium on EuroVelo 12. This stretch strings together dune paths, sea dikes, and beach towns on mostly dedicated cycleways and quiet roads—think smooth asphalt with the occasional paving stones in villages and a few short gravel bits near nature reserves.

Highlights along the way: wide dune belts between Den Helder, Zandvoort, and Scheveningen, classic polders and windmills, the Wadden Sea’s birdlife up north, and Zeeland’s impressive Delta Works. Expect a few ferries and big bridges to keep you close to the water—check local ferry timetables, especially in Zeeland.

It’s flat overall, but you’ll still roll over dunes, locks, and sea defenses, so there’s some gentle up-and-down. The real wildcard is wind; many riders prefer going southwest with a tailwind when possible.

Navigation is easy: follow EuroVelo 12 waymarks where signed, or use the Dutch LF/knooppunten network. Coffee stops, beach cafés, and bike shops are frequent, and trains make it simple to hop on or off the route.

Great for a multi-day coastal tour or bite-sized weekend stages—pick a segment and enjoy sea views, fresh air, and ridiculously good bike paths.