Cycle back in time – 15 prehistoric routes in the Netherlands
Cycling Collection by Klaske Schep
15 routes
40:13 h
666 km
1,530 m
In this Collection, you’ll ride back through time and discover hidden treasures of the past.These unique cycling routes take you to various prehistoric regions in the Netherlands, where you can enjoy beautiful landscapes while exploring the rich history of our ancestors.
You'll encounter dolmens, ancient moorland landscapes, the site of the famous Girl of Yde, traces of a Roman Mars camp, burial mounds and museums displaying archaeological finds.
These routes offer a fascinating insight into the life and culture of people who lived here thousands of years ago.
Traces of prehistoric activity have been found throughout the Netherlands in Limburg, Gelderland, North Holland, the Achterhoek, and Drenthe, so you can select the route that most appeals to you.
Whether you're an experienced cyclist or looking for a fun activity for the whole family, there's something for everyone. The routes vary in length and difficulty, so both beginners and advanced cyclists will find a suitable adventure.
This Collection is an invitation to experience history in an active and unique way. Get ready to pedal, explore, and enjoy the beauty of the Netherlands while uncovering the secrets of our past.
Most of the routes start and end at a train station. There’s also ample parking. A few routes in Drenthe don't have a train station nearby, so it's more convenient to drive or rent a bike locally.
What are you waiting for? Choose a route, grab your bike, and prepare for an adventure that will take you back to an era long before our modern society. Prehistory awaits!
On The Map
Activities
02:41
47.0km
17.6km/h
70m
70m
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Travel back in time and be surprised by the rich history of the Groningen landscape. This beautiful bike ride, which starts and ends at Warffum, stretches over 47 kilometers. Get on your bike and take a journey through time while enjoying the breathtaking surroundings.
The first inhabitants of this area…
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Klaske Schep
02:07
35.0km
16.6km/h
90m
90m
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.Let yourself be carried away by the fascinating history of the archaeologically rich area of Drenthe. This fascinating cycling tour, which starts and ends in Norg, covers a distance of 35 kilometers. Hop on your bike and explore the past while enjoying the breathtaking surroundings.
During this trip you…
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00:54
14.6km
16.3km/h
40m
40m
EasyEasy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Get on your bike and get ready for an exciting journey through prehistory. This easy bike ride starts and ends in beautiful Gieten and takes you on a route of 14.5 kilometers. Due to its short length, this tour is also suitable for older children.
An absolute highlight of this tour are the imposing dolmens…
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02:34
44.1km
17.2km/h
100m
100m
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.Get ready for an unforgettable journey through prehistory. This fascinating cycling route starts and ends in Sleen, one of the oldest villages in the Netherlands, and stretches over a distance of 44 kilometres. During this tour you will be immersed in the mysteries of the past, as you cycle past various…
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01:22
22.1km
16.2km/h
40m
40m
EasyEasy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.This prehistoric cycle route starts and ends in Borger and covers a distance of 22 kilometers. During this tour you will discover the rich heritage of the Funnel Beaker culture, while enjoying the varied landscapes and breathtaking nature.
Borger, also known as the dolmen capital of the Netherlands, is…
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03:38
59.2km
16.3km/h
180m
180m
ExpertExpert bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.Dive into the eventful history of the Lochem area!
This prehistoric route starts and ends in the Gelderland town of Lochem and covers a distance of 59 kilometers. During this trip you will discover the traces of a rich history, while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Achterhoek.
Characteristic of…
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02:32
40.7km
16.0km/h
90m
90m
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Did you know that forest elephants used to roam around Borculo?
Get on your bike and dive into the past of this interesting region. This prehistoric route starts and ends in Borculo and covers a distance of 41 kilometers. During this tour you will witness fascinating archaeological finds and historical…
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02:53
46.8km
16.2km/h
100m
100m
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Are you interested in exploring history while enjoying a scenic bike ride? Then the prehistoric route around Zelhem is for you! This route is 47 kilometers long.
The tour starts and ends in Zelhem, a green spot in the Achterhoek. What many people don't know is that people already lived here 12,000 years…
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03:48
63.5km
16.7km/h
110m
110m
Ferry
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The route includes a crossing by ferry.This tour, which starts and ends at Arnhem train station, is 63.5 kilometers long and therefore suitable for advanced cyclists. Dive into the rich history this area has to offer, from the Ice Age to World War II.
Ever since the ice age, when the ferocious meltwater river, the Proto-Rhine, flowed into…
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04:59
77.3km
15.5km/h
220m
210m
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.Are you an experienced cyclist and looking for a challenging route full of history? Then this prehistoric route around Winterswijk is perfect for you. This tour, which starts and ends in Winterswijk, stretches over 77 kilometers. The landscape you cycle through is unique: it is older than the pyramids…
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03:55
70.6km
18.0km/h
100m
100m
Ferry
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The route includes a crossing by ferry.Are you an experienced cyclist whose heart beats faster with history? Then go for this prehistoric bike tour! This tour, which starts and ends in the Alblasserwaard, is 71 kilometers long.
The South Holland landscape you cross is formed by the powerful and unpredictable Maas and Rhine. They cut gullies…
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01:57
33.7km
17.3km/h
40m
40m
EasyEasy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Are you a cycling and history enthusiast? Then this prehistoric bike tour is for you! This tour, which starts and ends in Schagen, is 33.5 kilometers long and takes you through a wetland area with a rich history.
From 2500 BC. people lived in this area. They built dikes and mounds to protect themselves…
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03:17
53.4km
16.3km/h
140m
140m
IntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Are you looking for a bike ride full of history and suitable for the whole family? Then this prehistoric cycling tour around Ermelo is perfect for you! This tour, which starts and ends in Ermelo, covers a distance of 53.5 kilometers. During this route you will become acquainted with the rich prehistory…
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01:45
28.8km
16.5km/h
140m
140m
EasyEasy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Are you looking for an adventurous bike ride full of (pre)history and nature?
This tour starts and ends in Ede, and has a distance of 29 kilometers. During this route you will learn about the rich history of the area, from flint tools to burial mounds and more.
Excavations in the area have found flint…
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01:54
28.9km
15.2km/h
70m
70m
EasyEasy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Are you ready for an adventurous bike ride full of history and nature? Then get on your bike and explore the prehistory in the Swalmdal.
This tour starts and ends in Roermond and covers a distance of 29 kilometers. The route takes you through the beautiful valley of the Swalm, where archaeological research…
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Collection Stats
- Activities15
- Distance666 km
- Duration40:13 h
- Elevation1,530 m
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