From the Atlantic to Aachen — bikepacking in Southern Netherlands

We pine for adventure, long days on the bike and, above all, the sea. The last bikepacking trip was far too long ago. So, in May 2021, we spontaneously planned a route with komoot, packed our bikes and got on the train to Middelburg in Zeeland late on Thursday afternoon.

We sat on the train for three hours and would have three days for the return journey. In the dark, we cycled to a rural campsite and pitched our small tent. What awaited us for the next three days was an unforgettable adventure in the beautiful and diverse border area between the Netherlands and Belgium.

The next morning, we stood on the beach and took a deep breath. With great views of the endless blue of the sea, we rolled over dykes, through small harbour towns and were greeted with beaches, lighthouses and lots of sheep. In the evening, we reached the Belgian border and made ourselves comfortable at the next rural campsite. By the second day, the scenery had changed completely. Now we were riding through the sandy forests of Brabant and across huge heath landscapes. Finally, in Limburg, the landscape was dominated by dead-straight canals, cows and rolling hills.

Rarely have I experienced so many different landscapes in three days. The area is incredibly diverse. We wanted an adventure and that's exactly what we got. Happy and with a multitude of new memories, we reached our destination in Aachen on Sunday afternoon. We had only been away for a long weekend, but the multitude of sights made it feel like a much longer holiday that we still look back on fondly. It can be so easy to get away from it all for a few days.

This route is perfect for a gravel bike or even a classic touring bike. Asphalted, mostly traffic-free paths alternate with gravel sections. The first stage is mostly on paved roads. On the second stage, in addition to many gravel sections, there are also short sections on sandy paths. Depending on the weather, the sand is deep and can be difficult to ride if you’re not used to it; you have to stay loose and let the front wheel find its way. The surfaces of the third stage are about two-thirds asphalt and one-third solid gravel. Except for the last 40 kilometres (25 mi) before Aachen, it is flat throughout. Last but not least, some hills await you in Heuvelland in southern Limburg.

You can easily reach Middelburg by train from Aachen, Maastricht, Eindhoven or Antwerp in Belgium. It’s worth noting that bicycles can only be taken on Dutch trains outside peak times. You don't have to worry about food on the way, as you will regularly pass villages with small shops and restaurants. There are also many campsites. We used the so-called ‘Natuurkampeerterreinen’ (nature campsites). These are particularly close to nature, quiet and uncomplicated. We had pre-booked the overnight stays at the nature campsites, but it’s not at all difficult to find spontaneous overnight places along the route. You can find more information about the Dutch nature campsites at natuurkampeerterreinen.nl/?lang=en.