Rhine & IJssel tour 2026

Rhine & IJssel tour 2026

It is almost impossible to overestimate the significance of the Dutch rivers, which formed the Netherlands. Rivers are the lifelines and essential for our prosperity. And besides: how beautiful they are, our rivers!

Cycling along meandering rivers

You cycle through the Rhine valley, along its very beautiful tributary the IJssel and across the so-called border lakes. During the whole tour you travel through wood and moorland sections of the Achterhoek, Veluwe and Gooi nature reserves; this area is very suitable for cycling tours and also loved by the Dutch cyclists. This region has a rich history. Arnhem, for example, is well-known for its role during WWII , Operation Market Garden. You also visit various Hanseatic towns which flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries, due to the fact that the IJssel was then one of the most important trade routes in Europe.

The route then leads you to the so-called border lakes of the IJssel lake which lie between the “old” land of many beautiful harbour towns and new Flevoland (once the bottom of the IJssel lake) which was reclaimed in 1932. In this area you visit some picturesque fishing harbours. Not to be missed: Spakenburg, where women still wear traditional costumes.

Day 1 Thursday | Amsterdam, sailing to Wijk bij Duurstede, bike ride, 15 km.

The barge is moored at the Oosterdok in central Amsterdam, near the train station. You are expected to arrive at our barge on Thursday between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM. When you arrive on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the tour leader, skipper and crew and of course your fellow passengers. At 2 PM the barge will leave Amsterdam to sail south over the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal. This is one of the busiest waterways in Europe. It was dug to connect Amsterdam Seaport with the European hinterland. You spend the night in old Wijk bij Duurstede on the river Rhine. During the early Middle Ages, this town was a prestigious trading centre. The marauding expeditions of the Vikings put an end to the flourishing period however. The old city centre is picturesque with its marketplace surrounded by trees.

During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the global planning of the week are discussed. Instructions on cycling and safely procedures will also be given. Time permitting the guide wil take you on a short bike ride around the town.

Day 2 Friday | Wijk bij Duurstede, sailing to Wageningen, cycling to Arnhem , 40 km

While you are enjoying breakfast, the barge will sail to Wageningen. You are finally off and cycling through the picturesque river valley of the Rhine. Along the way you will visit the protected nature reserve “De Blauwe Kamer” (the Blue Chamber), followed by the woods and moorlands of Veluwe National Park. The 5400 hectare park is home to many plant and animal species. In the National Park you can find, the Kröller-Müller Museum, with a.o. the largest private Van Gogh collection in the world. This visit involves however 25 km more cycling and is optional. The guide will ride the shorter route excluding the museum and can provide a route description. In Oosterbeek you can visit the memorials and cemeteries of the Battle of Arnhem (Operation Market Garden) in WW2. Later in the day you pedal through the suburbs and past lovely parks such as Sonsbeek and Zijpendaal to Arnhem, where you spend the night close to the city centre. As on most evenings the tour guide will take you on a walk around the city.

Day 3 Saturday | Arnhem, sailing to Doesburg, cycling to Zutphen, sailing to Deventer, 45 km

Today we first sail to the small town of Doesburg. From there the cycle tour takes you along the Hanseatic Town Route along the IJssel to Bronkhorst, which has the distinction of being recognised as the smallest town in the Netherlands. At Bronkhorst we leave the IJssel river and ride inland via Vorden passing country houses, castles and rural estates. The destination today is the very agreable town of Zutphen. During dinner the barge will sail to Deventer where you have the option of a guided walking tour in the evening. .

Day 4 Sunday | Deventer, cycling to Hattem/Zwolle, sailing to Kampen, 50 km

This morning you will enjoy a short bicycle ride along the IJssel riverbank before boarding a ferry at Wijhe to cross the river to the wooded areas around Heerde. Here you ride through the famous “coulissenlandschap” of the east Veluwe. A combination of woods, moorlands and centuries old small scale agricultural lands. In the afternoon you will reach the 800-year-old town of Hattem wich has a rich history that is still clearly visible today. During dinner the ship will sail to Kampen where you have the opportunity to go on an optional guided walking tour in the largest Hanseatic town in the Netherlands

Day 5 Monday | Kampen—Harderwijk, 45 km

The barge will sail to the IJssel estuary and across the so-called border lakes of the IJssel to the fishing harbour of Harderwijk. In the 1500s Harderwijk boasted the largest fish market in the Zuiderzee region and is still a fascinating old city to explore. You will ride on your bike from Kampen to Harderwijk through a typical Dutch landscape. At first you cycle along Veluwe lake where swimming, boating, surfing and fishing are favourite summertime activities. Around lunchtime you will be in the lovely market town of Elburg. The last part of the route will take you through the large woods of the Veluwe, with its undulating landscape a remainder of the Ice Age. The Veluwe is the largest connected nature reserve of the Netherlands, totally consisting of sandy soil. The night will be spent in Harderwijk’s old fishing harbour.

Day 6 Tuesday | Harderwijk— Spakenburg, 45 km

Today the ride will be a combination of flat, coastal landscape and woods and moorland around Ermelo and Putten. At Strand Nulde you can go for a nice swim, weather permitting. In the afternoon the trip continues along the Eem River, a small river flowing into the Eem Lake. In spite of the enormous density of population of the province of Utrecht, you can still find green countryside here. On the road along the IJselmeer dike you might have the opportunity to visit the old steam pumping station Arkemheem. Following the dike you enter Spakenburg from the west. Spakenburg has always been a fishermen's port and now forms a kind of twin village with Bunschoten. Many wonderful wooden fishing boats are moored here and you may come across villagers in their traditional dress.

Day 7 Wednesday | Spakenburg, sailing to Huizen, cycling to Amsterdam, 35 km

During breakfast we sail to Huizen. From Huizen you will cycle to the beautiful fortress towns of Naarden and Muiden. In Muiden you can visit the famous Muiderslot that guarded the entrance to Amsterdam in times gone by. From Muiden you will cycle along quiet roads to your final destination, the big city of Amsterdam. The extensive network of bicycle paths ensures a relatively easy way back into the city, showing you some remarkable sites in the centre. The late afternoon and evening are spent in Amsterdam. Then it is time to say goodbye to your bike. Before the fare-well dinner you may want to go for a walk in town. At night there you may want to take a canal trip or go on a city walk through the centre of the city.

Day 8 Thursday | Amsterdam, end of the tour after breakfast. Disembarkation before 10 AM

Included

• All nights on board, cabin in the booked category
• Full board (7x breakfast, 6 x self-made picnic lunch for bike tours, 7x three course dinner)
• Use of bed linen and towels
• Coffee and tea on board
• Tourguide, cycles with the group
• Min. 3 city walks with the tourguide
• Free WiFi (limited available in lounge and on deck)
• Road book, 1x per cabin
• GPS-tracks (on request)
• Ferry fares on the route

Not included

• Reservation costs
• Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund (Insolvency Protection)
• Bicycle rent (optional)
• Entrance fees to museums; approx. € 30,-
• Other drinks on board
• Personal insurance

Special details

• This tour is operated by Cycletours
• Due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, the route/program may be changed without notice.
• We do not allow private e-bikes on board (due to safetly regulations)
• If you have special meal requirements we ask you to mention this when booking, but at the latest until 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus. In case of Celiac; gluten free diet; lactose free diet there is an additional charge of € 100, – per week and € 150,- per diet/ per person/per week when ordering on spot.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer vegan meals. The space in the kitchens on our ships is limited (for storage and preparation) and therefore we cannot guarantee that the meals are completely vegan.
• Dutch Barge Cruises reserves the right to cancel tours with fewer than 12 participants up to 21 days prior to the date of departure.The program is subject to change without notice.