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From castles to Hansa cities
Deventer
Ijsvogel Ijssel en Vecht
Dalfsen
Holten

Cycling holiday IJssel and Vecht

On this cycle tour, you follow the rivers IJssel, Vecht and Regge along the borders of Achterhoek, Salland, Vechtdal and Twente. You start in the castle village of Vorden and visit the Hanseatic towns of Zutphen, Deventer, Zwolle and Ommen, among others. On the quiet towpaths, you will have views of the wooded moraines of Salland. » read more about Cycling holiday IJssel and Vecht

  • Vorden, Deventer, Zwolle, Ommen, Holten, Rijssen
  • Cycle tour through Hansa cities and over the Salland ridge
  • Cycling along the IJssel, Overijsselse Vecht and Regge
APP E-bike Zwaarte zwaarte_12
  • Cycling holiday
  • Trekking tour
  • 6 days
  • Individual
from 665 p.p.
excl. additional costs
Prices and dates
from 665 p.p.
excl. additional costs
Prices and dates

Between IJssel and Vecht

Nothing beats a slice of classic Deventer koek! Between the IJssel and the Overijssel Vecht, the historic Hanseatic cities are strung together like pearls. And if you're into history, Deventer is the place to be. The city exudes Hanseatic history and is one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands. As you cycle through, you'll discover a historic center that still preserves its authentic medieval street patterns. You’ll notice the same in Zwolle, which combines its historic charm with a futuristic touch, thanks to its Museum de Fundatie.

Along the Rivers

Your journey begins in Vorden, a town renowned for its castles and manor houses. Following the IJssel River, you'll pass through Doesburg and Zutphen before arriving in Deventer and Zwolle, with plenty of quaint villages to explore along the way. The route then winds along the scenic Vecht to Dalfsen and Ommen. Continuing along the Regge River, you'll enjoy peaceful rides on riverside paths, through ancient fields, hay meadows, and near fish ladders, finally arriving in Holten and the Sallandse Heuvelrug.

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Fish ladderKingfisherBeerze

Golden Years

Deventer’s position along the IJssel played a key role in its development as a thriving trade center. As a prominent member of the medieval Hanseatic League, the city flourished during its golden age in the 14th and 15th centuries. Each year, six bustling markets attracted merchants from across Europe to this vibrant river town—not just for the renowned Deventer koek. The spirit of those times still lingers in the narrow streets and the charming Bergkwartier around the Walstraat.

Contemporary Energy

While Zwolle still exudes a medieval charm, it’s seamlessly combined with the vibrant buzz of a student city. Young professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives bring a lively, modern energy, making Zwolle a hub of cultural activity. The standout attraction is Museum de Fundatie, instantly recognizable for its striking, futuristic design. The elliptical rooftop addition is nicknamed “the Zeppelin,” though some prefer to call it a UFO.

Museum de Fundatie ZwolleZwolle - Museum de Fundatie

Doesburg Herb Garden

Nestled among the historic buildings on the Paardenmarkt in Doesburg’s center lies a fragrant treasure. Behind neatly trimmed hedges, you’ll find a variety of herbs, some for culinary use and others with healing properties. Certain plants release their aroma naturally, while others require a gentle rub to reveal their scent. Informative name tags accompany many of the plants, but be wary of the toxic monkshood. In the distant past, this plant was a key ingredient in witches’ ointments, used to anoint their bodies and broomsticks, giving them the illusion of flight. Its hallucinogenic effects left them feeling “high as a kite.” Entry is free.

When are you going to take this trip?

Cycling holiday IJssel and Vecht

Prices and dates

Routes

This cycling tour follows the IJssel, Vecht, and Regge rivers along the borders of Achterhoek, Salland, Vechtdal, and Twente. The route starts in the castle village of Vorden, set in the scenic Achterhoek landscape. Through the Hanseatic cities of Zutphen, Deventer, and Zwolle, you cycle along wide floodplains and past stately country estates on the Vecht. After the Hanseatic town of Ommen, you follow the Regge river and enjoy views of the wooded hills of Salland. After a short climb, you reach your hotel on the Holterberg or Rijsserberg. Through the Achterhoek castle region, you return to Vorden.

Cycling holiday IJssel and Vecht

TIP: If you extend your stay in Vorden, you can take a beautiful circular route to the historic Hanseatic city of Doesburg, also visiting the picturesque IJssel town of Bronkhorst (60km).

Details

Included

  • 5 nights with breakfast or half board
  • Luggage transport
  • Maps and navigation app for your smartphone (GPS tracks for your own GPS device on request)

Exclusive

  • Outward and return journey
  • Travel insurance
  • Tourist tax
  • Rental bikes
  • Ferries
  • Entrance fees, transfers, etc. that are not included

  • Rental bike (excl. bike insurance): € 100,- p.p.
  • E-bike (excl. bike insurance): € 160,- p.p.
  • When renting a bike or E-bike, we ask for your height so that we can provide a suitable bike.
  • Bicycle Insurance: You can take out a separate bicycle insurance with Happy Cycling Holidays. A travel insurance often does not cover bicycle damage and/or theft.
  • Read more about rental bikes, cycle helmets and insurances

  • Parking: free of charge in the hotel car park.
  • Extending: not possible on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • Half board: no dinner possible in Deventer on Sunday.

Below you will find an overview of the accommodations we typically use for this tour, all carefully selected by us. Please note that availability on your preferred travel dates is not guaranteed. If a listed accommodation is unavailable, we will arrange an alternative hotel of comparable category and quality. Should the alternative involve a higher price, we will inform the booker in advance about the surcharge on the tour price.

  • Hotel Gravin van Vorden, Vorden
  • Boutiquehotel Huis Vermeer, Deventer
  • Bilderberg Grandhotel Wientjes, Zwolle
  • Hotel Mooirivier Dalfsen
  • Hotel Hoog Holten, Holten

What others customers think of the

Cycling holiday IJssel and Vecht

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Deventer
Deventer
Ijsvogel Ijssel en Vecht
Ijsvogel Ijssel en Vecht
Dalfsen
Dalfsen

Prices and dates

Plan your trip

Departure date

This is the first day of your cycling holiday. If desired you can add book extra nights later before the startdate of your cycling holiday. Please choose the first day of your cycling holiday. Further on in planning your trip, you can book an extra night before the selected starting day.

Tags for this trip

Self guided cycling holidays Individual cycling holidays from Happy Cycling Holidays Boat and bike tours in the Netherlands Cycling from hotel to hotel in Europe Cycle holidays with e-bike
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