Cycling guide from Eric & Valery
Cycling around Noordwijk: dunes, flowers and open water
A bicycle takes you from our front door into the dunes within minutes. Ride north with the sea beside you, follow the coast south towards The Hague, or turn inland for flower fields, lakes and Leiden. Bring your own bicycles or rent them nearby. At the end of the day, you can leave them in the courtyard beside the guesthouse and warm up your private sauna.
- Bicycle storage in the courtyard
- Rental shop: about 10 minutes on foot
- Coastal routes from 49 to 54 km
- Noordwijk MTB trail: 8.6 km
Bring your bicycles or rent them around the corner
Guests who bring their own bicycles can keep them in the courtyard beside the guesthouse. Bring your own locks for stops along the way.
Mooijekind Fietsen is at Schoolstraat 45, about ten minutes away on foot. The local family business has rented and repaired bicycles in Noordwijk for generations and offers city bikes, e-bikes and other models. Reserve ahead in busy periods and check the current collection and opening times before you go.
Why cycling here feels different
Cycling became widely accessible in the Netherlands after the modern safety bicycle appeared in the late nineteenth century and prices began to fall. Cars took over more street space after the 1950s. The high number of road deaths in the 1970s led to public campaigns for safer streets, while the oil crisis exposed the cost of car dependence. Dutch towns then invested more deliberately in protected routes, quieter residential streets and safer junctions.
That choice is still visible. The Dutch government counts about 35,000 kilometres of dedicated cycle tracks, and more than a quarter of journeys are made by bicycle. Around Noordwijk, separate paths and numbered junctions make longer rides easy to plan. They also carry fast commuters, e-bikes, cargo bikes and schoolchildren, so the best way to fit in is to ride predictably.
North through the dunes to Zandvoort and Bloemendaal
For a full coastal ride, the official Noordwijk to Zandvoort loop covers 49 kilometres. It runs through dunes and estates and around the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen, where bicycles are not allowed inside the reserve. The contrast between open coastline, sheltered woodland and old country estates makes the distance pass quickly.
Zandvoort is a natural coffee or lunch stop. Strong riders can continue towards Bloemendaal before turning back, but keep enough time and energy for the headwind on the return. Along this coast, the wind matters more than the outward distance suggests.
South to Katwijk, Scheveningen and The Hague
The 54-kilometre Hollandse Duinen route follows the coastal landscape south through Katwijk and towards Scheveningen. Expect long dune paths, sea views, boulevards and stretches through greener estates. It is a satisfying day ride rather than a quick outing.
For a shorter trip, turn around in Katwijk and take time for the beach or the old village. If you continue into Scheveningen or The Hague, city traffic becomes busier. Watch the signs at crossings and do not assume the cyclist ahead of you has the same right of way.
Flower fields, the Kaag lakes and Leiden
In spring, the official 28.6-kilometre route towards Lisse threads through the bulb-growing area. The colours can be extraordinary from the roadside. Please stay on public roads and paths, and never enter a flower field for a photograph unless the grower clearly invites visitors in.
East of Noordwijk, the landscape opens into polders and water around Warmond, De Kaag and the Kagerplassen. The 40-kilometre mill and ferry route is a good introduction. Several small ferries are part of the pleasure, but some run seasonally, so check them before leaving. Leiden also makes a fine destination for a city-and-countryside day. Park at the supervised Waag bicycle facility and explore the historic centre on foot.
The mountain-bike trail in the northern dunes
The official Noordwijk MTB trail starts near the Duindamseslag car park on Duinweg. Its 8.6 kilometres sound short, but the singletrack includes tight turns, short climbs, descents and technical dune sections. Use a proper mountain bike and follow the route markers rather than the normal paved cycle paths.
Conditions change with sand, rain and maintenance. Check the current route information before you set out, slow down near other recreation users and keep to the marked trail. If you are new to mountain biking, the coastal cycle paths are the kinder first ride.
Ride like a local: the rules that keep paths flowing
Keep right, pass on the left and look over your shoulder before moving out. Signal turns with your arm, ride in a straight line and stop beside the path rather than on it. Dutch cycle paths mix ordinary bicycles with faster e-bikes and cargo bikes, so check both directions at every crossing and follow the signs, traffic lights and road markings.
A handheld phone is not allowed while you are moving. After dark or in poor visibility, use a white or yellow front light and a red rear light. A helmet is not compulsory on an ordinary bicycle or standard e-bike, but the Dutch government recommends one. Wear it for the MTB trail, and consider it on any unfamiliar ride.
Routes
Choose a route from Noordwijk
These official route pages give you the current map, distance and points of interest. Check the weather, ferries and any trail notices before leaving.
FAQ
Planning a bicycle day
Can we store our bicycles at the guesthouse?
Yes. You can keep them in the courtyard beside the guesthouse. Bring your own locks for stops during the day.
Where can we rent bicycles near Romantic Wellness B&B?
Mooijekind Fietsen is at Schoolstraat 45, about ten minutes away on foot. Reserve ahead in busy periods and check its current opening times.
Which route is best for a relaxed first ride?
Ride the coastal path towards Katwijk and turn back whenever it suits you. It gives you dunes and sea views without committing to the full 54-kilometre loop.
When can we cycle past the flower fields?
The main bulb-flowering period is usually from late March into early May, but timing changes with the weather and crop. View fields from public roads unless a grower has opened a visitor area.
Do we need a helmet in the Netherlands?
A helmet is not legally required on an ordinary bicycle or standard e-bike, but the Dutch government recommends wearing one. We strongly advise a helmet on the MTB trail.
Can beginners ride the Noordwijk MTB trail?
The route is short but includes technical singletrack, turns, climbs and descents. Beginners with a suitable mountain bike can assess it carefully, but the paved dune paths are a better first option if you are unsure.