Castles & Gardens – Cycleseeing in and around Amsterdam

Within cycling distance of Amsterdam lies a true fairytale land of dreamy castles, beautiful gardens and imposing forts. Some were part of the Stelling van Amsterdam UNESCO World Heritage Site while others were owned by rich merchants from the Golden Age. The route also takes you past various windmills, farms and gardens that are all well worth a visit.

The route starts at Weesperhaven: an inspiring neighbourhood initiative for an environmentally-friendly harbour. If you have extra time, this is the perfect place to hire an electric boat. There is also an intact ring dyke at Watergraafsmeer, around the lowest part of Amsterdam: 16 feet (5 m) below sea level.

Cycle over the Nesciobrug to Diemerpark. The award-winning Nesciobrug is the longest bicycle and pedestrian bridge in the Netherlands, at 2,560 feet (780 m) in length. Diemerpark is a picturesque greenspace opened in 2003 and built on what was once the most unattractive and polluted area of the Netherlands. Fortunately, that has changed!

When you cycle around Diemer Vijfhoek, you pass Fort Diemerdam. Further on in Muiden, you ride past the gunpowder mill "De Krijgsman". The original mill in Amsterdam exploded and no permission was given to build a new one. So gunpowder production was moved to Muiden in 1702. And yes, more explosions followed. The factory finally closed in 2004.

It is well worth deviating a little from the route to the Westbattery, built to support Muiderslot Castle in defending the mouth of De Vecht. But you'll also enjoy cycling past the Sluis for the Muiderslot: a real medieval castle built in 1296 by order of Count Floris V. What was it like to be a knight or a noblewoman? Find out for yourself by dressing up in a beautiful fifteenth-century costume while you’re there. The castle is open for tours (check www.muiderslot.nl for opening times).

From Muiden to Weesp you pass Fort H, part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. Built between 1873-1877. The fortress now serves as a restaurant and a marina. You cycle along the River Vecht, which originates in Utrecht as a branch of the Rhine. In the 17th century, traders made their fortune by shipping goods via the Zuiderzee to the Rhine and Northern Europe. Along the Vecht, you can still find their large estates.

The organic farm Groene Griffioen is a nice stop along the river. You will find an organic dairy farm, an artisan cheese dairy and a farm shop. Peruse the delicious cheeses, which are available to buy as tasty souvenirs.

After crossing the railway line, you cycle up to Fort Ossenmarkt, with its beautiful tea garden. The fort was built in 1862 as part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam. The Theetuin is an oasis of calm with special flowers and plants.

From the Fort you drive into Weesp, a town 700 years old and one of the fourteen fortified towns of the country. The protected historical centre has forts, windmills, a museum and several cosy terraces along the water.

Cycle along the western bank of the Gein past various historical highlights: the cheese farm Gein Genoegen and the Mondriaan Mill, so-called because the artist painted it more than 20 times. You will also pass by the Fort near Abcoude, the oldest fortress in the Defence Line of Amsterdam and one that is still almost completely intact.

The route takes you briefly through Abcoude, along the Abcoudermeer and then through the districts of Gein and Reigersbos. Cycle along the beautiful Gaasperplas, an artificial lake which was the setting for the Floriade landscape and flower show in 1982. Part of the landscaped park still exists.

Via Driemond, so-called because three small rivers meet here (Gein, Gaasp and Het Smal Weesp), you cycle back to Diemen over 4 miles (6 km). It’s a lovely tour along the Weespertrekvaart canal, which was built in 1639 to connect the Amstel to the Vecht in Weesp. Before you cycle back into the urban area, you ride through the Diemer forest. This young forest was planted in 1990 to preserve the area’s natural habitat.

Are you heading to Diemen-Zuid? Then you will have to cross the Diemerbrug. The original drawbridge was built in 1640. Now, it is remotely operated, connecting the old village and the residential area of Diemen-Zuid. In the direction of the Amstel Station, you ride through Bajes Kwartier, a former prison complex: the Bijlmerbajes. The district is now well on the way to becoming an energy-neutral residential area. All rubbish and old resources are reused: the bridges that connect Bajes Kwartier with the city are made of old prison doors.

You finish the trip in style at Riva, a modern restaurant, with international cuisine and a terrace with a beautiful view over the Amstel. The perfect way to recover from this tour!