Polder Pedals

Cycling routes across the Dutch lowlands

Routes · Amsterdam south to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel

Along the Amstel

The short easy one: rowing crews, riverside cafés and a village church for lunch.

Distance28 km, out and back
StartAmstelpark, south of the city
SurfaceTarmac river roads on both banks
WindMild; the river banks are lined with trees

The Amstel gives Amsterdam its name and, for cyclists, its easiest escape. Follow the east bank south from the Amstelpark and the city ends within a kilometre; after that it is rowing clubs, old country houses and a single windmill.

Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is a small village with a church, a bridge and cafés on both sides of the water. Cross the bridge and return on the west bank so the views are different on the way home.

This is the route we suggest for visitors with a rental bike and half a day. It has no hills, almost no traffic and a lot of places to stop; families ride it with small children all summer.

A junction sequence we have used

Numbers repeat between regions, so this string only means something on the map panels near Amstelpark. Check it against the panel at the first junction before you set off.

47454441444547

Plan this ride

Where to stop

  • km 7
    Riekermolen windmillthe only mill on the river
  • km 14
    Ouderkerk aan de Amstellunch on either bank
  • km 21
    West bank rowing clubswatch the crews

Dike roads are shared with farm traffic and, in summer, with a lot of other cyclists. Ride single file where the path is narrow and give way at the small ferries.