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Hello Everyone,

I posted something in "Travel Plans" but no one has responded.

I was wondering what was the best way to visit Zuid Kennemerland National Park from Amsterdam? I would like to rent a bicycle and check out the park and beach.

Is it better to go to Zandvoort or IJmuiden or Haarlem? I know I can take a train to Haarlem or Zandvoort, high speed ferry/bus to IJmuiden, but where is the best location to access the park from?

Thanks

Looks like its best to start in Overveen. According to the link below there is a cycle path near by. http://www.np-zuidkennemerland.nl/docum ... ab6ad2.pdf

Peace

cnw126 wrote:I was wondering what was the best way to visit Zuid Kennemerland National Park from Amsterdam? I would like to rent a bicycle and check out the park and beach.

when i really want to get out of town and have a long walk with my hiking boots and thick socks, i head westwards towards the sea and tramp around Zuid Kennemerland Nationaal Park

dutch website: http://www.npzk.nl/
english website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuid-Kenne ... ional_Park

and if you want a super-cool and fun way to travel there you can take the Fast Flying Ferry ... here's a video

the 1:20000 map for the park is entitled Wandel- en Fietskaart Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland and is published by ANWB ... here is a picture of the map ... the map shows the cycle paths and makes journey planning easy

i bought my copy from Reisboekhandel Pied a Terre, Overtoom 135-137 in Amsterdam near Leidseplein ... the website starts in Dutch, but if you scroll down a page you can select English as the language

the stops that give access to the park on the train route from Amsterdam Centraal to Uitgeest are Haarlem, Bloemendaal, Santpoort Zuid, Santpoort Noord and Driehuis

the stops that give access to the park on the train route from Amsterdam Centraal to Zandvoort are Haarlem, Overveen and Zandvoort

i have never hired a bicycle, but i would guess that bicycle rental is available from either Haarlem or Zandvoort as they are reasonably sized towns, the other towns mentioned are smaller

visiting the national park is a lovely day out and well worth the effort

good luck and have a great trip

Hello Balou and Stoned since 67,

Thank you so much for the information! I sincerely appreciate the responses and effort.


I have been reading and it seems that I can take a bicycle on both the train and Fast Flying Ferry.
I don't know if it is better to rent a bike in Amsterdam and take it with me or to try and rent something near the park.

If I rent a bike in Amsterdam I can take it on the Ferry to IJmuiden and then ride down through the park to Zandvoort and take the train back to Amsterdam with the bike and return the bike in the Dam. That way I can see more of the park.

If I rent something close to the park I would have to return the bike where I picked it up from and that "might" limit my trip some but I would not have to lug a bicycle on the Ferry and train.

Does any one have any suggestions or experience taking a bicycle on a train/Fast Flying Ferry?

If anyone has any suggestions for my day trip to the park I would certainly appreciate them.

cnw126 wrote:Does any one have any suggestions or experience taking a bicycle on a train/Fast Flying Ferry?

I have taken a bike on the train. You can take one abroad outside of rush hours. Just remember to buy the bike a ticket from the machine under supplements for 6 euro.

I think taking your bike on the ferry is easier than lugging it up to the train platform, I've done both before as I often take my bike to Holland with me. You just walk it up the ramp to the top deck and tie it (with the lanyard provided on the ferry) to the rail and take a seat in the cabin and enjoy an interesting zoom down the Ij. .

I think it's a good idea to get the bike in Amsterdam. Who knows you might want to hang on to it for a bit longer once you feel the freedom and relative safety of the Dutch cycle path system.

Blue skies and happy trails .

spidergawd wrote:I think taking your bike on the ferry is easier than lugging it up to the train platform, I've done both before as I often take my bike to Holland with me. You just walk it up the ramp to the top deck and tie it (with the lanyard provided on the ferry) to the rail and take a seat in the cabin and enjoy an interesting zoom down the Ij. .

I think it's a good idea to get the bike in Amsterdam. Who knows you might want to hang on to it for a bit longer once you feel the freedom and relative safety of the Dutch cycle path system.

Blue skies and happy trails .

Thanks for the advise spidergawd!

I am definitely going to get the bike in the Dam. I will most likely just get it and keep it for the entire time I am there. That way I can have the freedom as you say.