A feast of windmills, lakes and boats

Distance: 60, 49 or 36 km

One of the many windmills around the Kagerplassen. Photo © Holland-Cycling.comOne of the many windmills around the Kagerplassen. Photo © Holland-Cycling.com

This route takes you around the lakes in the Kaag en Braassem region, which are all connected by rivers and canals. Highlight of the route are the many windmills which were built to regulate the water level in the surrounding polders. They might be less famous than the windmills of Kinderdijk, but they’re equally worth a visit!

You leave the historic centre of Leiden via a network of canals and rivers that take you past some of the city’s highlights. Via the Kagerplassen and the ring dyke around the Haarlemmermeerpolder you reach the village of Roelofarendsveen, known for its flower cultivation. The route takes you along the Braassemermeer and Wijde Aa back into the historic centre of Leiden.

Leiden Lakes Cycle Route

Distance: 60 km (4h00), 49 km (3h20) or 36 km (2h25)
Type of route: Day trip, round trip
Starting point:

Leiden train station
- Bicycle rental
- Car parking

GPS: Download this route as a GPX file:
- GPX Route 60 km
- GPX Route 49 km
- GPX Route 36 km

Find out more:

- For an overview of all of our must-do cycle routes, go to: Day trips.
- Do you need to rent a bike? Find out how on our Bicycle rental page.
- For an overview of Guided tours from Leiden, go to our Guided tours section.
- For an overview of cycling holidays that include Leiden, go to our Holidays section.

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