Netherlands: Amsterdam to Arnhem Walking Tour
Six nights; six days of level walks along coastal dikes of the Zuiderzee to the beautiful city of Arnhem, through the wetland areas of the west and east, and on wildlife trails in two national parks.
“The walking was truly fabulous!! Food was great, very fresh. The desserts were great. The guides were really special and the espresso was unforgettable!”
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Amsterdam, city of canals.
- Visit Giethoorn. Known as the "Venice of the North".
- Invigorating and calming walks in the Dutch countryside.
- Springtime blooming tulip fields.
- Hidden gems like Deventer where you can visit Holland’s oldest library.
- Cheese!
- Wildlife trails in two national parks.
- Coastal dikes of the Zuiderzee.
- Historical WWII site of Arnhem, where you can visit its legendary bridge that spans the Lower Rhine.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
Historical WWII site of Arnhem, where you can visit its legendary bridge that spans the Lower Rhine.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Amsterdam to Volendam. Walk ~24km; 30 min ferry.
- 2: Volendam to Enkhuizen. Walk ~25km; 30 min transfer.
- 3: Enkhuizen to Blokzijl. Ferry + 50 min. transfer; optional canoeing; ~15km walk.
- 4: Blokzijl to Giethoorn. ~15km plus transfer to Deventer.
- 5: Deventer to Hoenderloo. ~17km plus transfer.
- 6: Hoenderloo to Arnhem. ~15km walk; optional ~15km cycling; 30 min transfer.
- 7: Farewells.
(Click image to enlarge)
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Amsterdam, Park Plaza Victoria Hotel, 09:00, day one.
Finish: Arnhem, 09:00, day seven. Regular trains connect Arnhem to Amsterdam; see train schedule here: www.ns.nl/en.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Amsterdam to Volendam. Walk ~24km; 30 min ferry.
Meet in Amsterdam, city of canals. Leave the bustling city behind as you hike through the villages of the Waterland, a municipal area just north of Amsterdam. Arrive in Marken, whose wooden houses are a popular tourist draw, from where you will ferry to Volendam, known for its splendid harbour and authentic Dutch costumes. You might want to try the raw herring!
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
Old Dutch Hotel, or Hotel Spaander, Volendam.DAY 2:
Volendam to Enkhuizen. Walk ~25km; 30 min transfer.
Continue along the dike lands of the manmade IJssellake. Formerly the Zuiderzee (southern sea), which was a shallow bay of the North Sea, the land was reclaimed as new regions - known as polders - of wetlands, fertile agricultural lands, and fishing villages. Transfer from Hoorn to Enkhuizen, two major bases for the Dutch East-India Company during the 17th century Golden Age when Dutch trade, science, military, and art were among the most acclaimed in the world.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel Snouck van Loosen, Enkhuizen.DAY 3:
Enkhuizen to Blokzijl. Ferry + 50 min. transfer; optional canoeing; ~15km walk.
Ferry from Enkhuizen to Stavoren, a charming historic town, before transferring to Ossenzijl. Optional 1-2 hr. canoe paddle or whispering boat trip through the wetland areas. Many walks await in the unique Wieden-Weerribben National Park, where peat cutters and reed managers have shaped the largest freshwater swamp in Europe. Along with the colourful meadows, the park is home to rare species, such as otter and black tern, which can be spied from its many observation sites.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
Geertien Hotel, or Auberge aan het Hof, Blokzijl.DAY 4:
Blokzijl to Giethoorn. ~15km plus transfer to Deventer.
Further explore the wetlands of the Wieden-Weerribben National Park before a visit to Giethoorn. Known as the "Venice of the North," Giethoorn is a remarkable village, some of which is entirely without cars or roads, making it necessary to travel by water or by foot over the lovely wooden bridges to view the bohemian canals, colourful 200-year-old homes, and vibrant flowers. Venetian-style punting may be available, and is an excellent way to see the area. A transfer at the end of the day will bring you to your elegant inn for a relaxing evening, or a night on the town.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
Grand Boutique Hotel Huis Vermeer, Deventer.DAY 5:
Deventer to Hoenderloo. ~17km plus transfer.
Enjoy a morning stroll around the hanseatic town of Deventer, one of the oldest in the Netherlands. Walk along the river IJssel, one of the three major branches into which the Rhine divides shortly after crossing the German-Dutch border. A natural line of defense, the river was stormed in April 1945 by assault troops of the Allied armies, liberating the Netherlands from the occupying forces of Nazi Germany. Transfer through the forests of the Veluwe to your nearby inn in Hoenderloo.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Herberg de Boer'N'Knikel, Hoenderloo.DAY 6:
Hoenderloo to Arnhem. ~15km walk; optional ~15km cycling; 30 min transfer.
Walk through the heath lands, sand dunes, and woodlands of De Hoge Veluwe National Park. The park forms one of the largest continuous nature reserves in the Netherlands, with most of its landscape created during the last Ice Age. Optional activities today include an enticing bike ride through the park on one of its famous 'white bikes', or a visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum to admire the sculpture garden and, naturally, the largest private Van Gogh collection in the world. Afterwards, transfer to the beautiful city of Arnhem, whose bridge over the Rhine, immortalized in the film A Bridge Too Far, was famously held by British paratroopers against overwhelming odds. Bid your guides farewell this evening following dinner.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
Walburgis Residenties, or Hotel Haarhuis, Arnhem.DAY 7:
Farewells.
Your tour officially concludes this morning following breakfast at your hotel. Trains to Amsterdam and other centers are frequent but you may want to consider an extra night in Arnhem to experience more of this fascinating city! Visit Burger's Bush, a beautiful zoo; Het Openlucht Muesum (Open Air Museum); or stroll through Garden Park of Sonsbeek, beginning in the centre of the city and leading to the forested area of the Veluwe.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2025 DATES:
2026 DATES:
Don't see what you want?
(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: C 4145 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, guide and van support, maps and route instructions, luggage handling, taxes.
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 3595 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, maps and route instructions, inn to inn luggage transfers, taxes.
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add C 895
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is April (tulip bloom) to September.
- Spring, April to May, average temperatures range from 10 to 15 °C (50 to 59 °F).
- Summer, June to August, typically peaks around 25 °C (77 °F) and averages 20 °C (68 °F). Summer months tend to have higher rainfall than spring.
- Autumn temperatures in September and October are normally mild, similar to spring.
GET TO THE START
Air: fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), only 18km from the city centre.
Train: Amsterdam’s Centraal Rail Terminal services a large number of national and international trains, linking with major European cities several times a day. Especially convenient are frequent routes from Brussels, Paris, and London. For more information on international schedules and bookings, check out NS Hispeed. For national routes, Holland by Train is helpful.
AFTER THE FINISH
Your tour ends on the morning of day seven, in Arnhem. Regular trains connect Arnhem to Amsterdam; view the schedule here.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
In Amsterdam, try to see the Tulip Museum and the Rijksmuseum - highlights of the city.
Spend an extra night in Arnhem to experience more of this fascinating city! Visit Burger's Bush, a beautiful zoo; Het Openlucht Muesum (Open Air Museum); or stroll through the lovely Garden Park of Sonsbeek, beginning in the centre of the city and leading to the forested area of the Veluwe.
If you have several days:
Hop on a short train ride south and check out beautiful Brussels.
Link to another Freewheeling Adventure - join us on another European tour!
In Amsterdam we recommend the following accommodations:
In Arnhem, we suggest extending your stay at your tour hotel.
Please let us know if you plan to stay before or after your tour and we will be happy to help with hotel reservations.
MORE READING
Celebrated for its painters, social tolerance, windmills, and flat landscapes, the Netherlands boasts a rich variety of nature and invites exploration by foot. With over 20 national parks and countless nature reserves, the countryside is a quilt of colour from spring to fall.
Amsterdam To Arnhem Walking Tour is the perfect way to experience this diverse landscape. The low topography of the Netherlands, with half its land area less than one meter above sea level, has been subject to periodic flooding for centuries, most notably in the 13th century, when St. Lucia's flood inspired the construction of elaborate dikes. In the 20th century, the majority of the Zuiderzee, a shallow bay of the North Sea, was closed off, leaving the mouth of the inlet to become part of the Wadden Sea.
The saltwater inlet changed into a freshwater lake called the IJsselmeer, after the IJssel River, a significant branch of the Rhine. Amsterdam To Arnhem Walking Tour will take you through stunning landscapes where you will be amazed to see firsthand the effort and engineering ingenuity the Dutch have invested in their dike systems with the Zuiderzee Works. By means of drainage and polders, 1,500 km² (580 sq mi) has been reclaimed as land for agricultural purposes and flood protection. Along the way, Amsterdam To Arnhem Walking Tour offers encounters with friendly, practical, and charming locals. Bars and cafés, cheese shops, and fish stalls will beckon, and the ubiquitous traditional costume shops where you can pay to dress up and take photos will entice playful travelers.