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The Netherlands🇳🇱 | hikesZuiderzeepadFormer Zuiderzee coast, Elburg, dike paths, Flevoland polders | things to do and best time to go

Explore Maarten van RossumpadExplore Westerborkpad

Backpacking in Zuiderzeepad
👍 Recommendedhike ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

The decision most walkers face is whether to do Zuiderzeepad in short stages or push for longer days, and it tips on the train map: stations at Almere, Harderwijk, Elburg and Lelystad area let you cut it almost anywhere. The long-distance path (LAW 8, about 100 km in this stretch) circles the former Zuiderzee shore through Flevoland and Gelderland, with this section near Almere and the Gooimeer. Scenery is flat dike, reed, water and huge sky; it is easy underfoot but wind is constant and shade scarce. Compared with the hillier Veluwe trails nearby, it is gentler and better connected. The surprise for me was a dike path where I expected open land: I found it was a former seabed, with my feet below sea level and ships above my head. That pattern explains everything here: reclaimed land, straight lines, and frequent transit.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 The Netherlands Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 hike in The NetherlandsWhat makes it a must-see hike

Backpackers pick Zuiderzeepad because it turns Dutch engineering into a walk you can finish in pieces. The route follows the old shoreline, so you pass fishing towns such as Elburg and Harderwijk with harbors, walls and smoked-fish stands, then drop onto polder where Flevoland sits on land that was sea before the 1950s to 1970s. The second draw is access. Trains and buses reach most stages, so you can sleep in a hostel or B&B and walk out and back without a full pack. Flat terrain means 20 to 25 km days are realistic for most people, and you can stretch or shorten depending on the weather. It also links easily to Amsterdam, Utrecht and the Veluwe, so it fits into a longer Netherlands route as a two or three day add-on.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Elburg old town: A walled fishing town with a grid of 14th-century streets, small museums and a harbor that once sat on open sea.
  2. Harderwijk harbor and Dolfinarium coast: The old Hanseatic port has a tidy waterfront, a medieval gate and good fish stalls.
  3. Gooimeer and Almere waterfront: Wide lake views, reed beds and birds, with the modern Almere skyline across the water.
  4. Dike paths along the Veluwemeer: Long straight grass dikes where cyclists, boats and sky dominate, ideal for easy distance.
  5. Flevoland polder landscape: Fields sit below sea level, so the horizon shows engineering at work in rows of crops and wind turbines.
Most visitors skip the polder interior, where the reclaimed fields and quiet farm roads explain the whole region.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Zuiderzeepad

Amsterdam Free tour World War II and Anne Frank

Amsterdam Free tour World War II and Anne Frank

5.0(138) 1h 45m
From €5
per personViator
Amsterdam Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour with Fun Guide

Amsterdam Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour with Fun Guide

5.0(93) 3h
From €35
per personViator
Explore Amsterdam in 75 Minutes – Pedicab Rickshaw City tour

Explore Amsterdam in 75 Minutes – Pedicab Rickshaw City tour

5.0(73) 1h 15m
From €180
per personViator
Private All-Inclusive Cruise with Captain

Private All-Inclusive Cruise with Captain

5.0(55) 1h 30m
From €190
per personViator
Amsterdam: Private Tour to Keukenhof and Flower-Farm with Ticket

Amsterdam: Private Tour to Keukenhof and Flower-Farm with Ticket

5.0(53) 5h
From €386
per personViator
The Ultimate Craft Beer Adventure in Amsterdam!

The Ultimate Craft Beer Adventure in Amsterdam!

5.0(48) 3h 30m
From €109
per personViator
Rijksmuseum Guided Tour with a private local Dutch guide

Rijksmuseum Guided Tour with a private local Dutch guide

5.0(47) 2h
From €125
per personViator
Amsterdam countryside tour by car

Amsterdam countryside tour by car

5.0(42)
From €140
per personViator
Private Tulip Fields, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam

Private Tulip Fields, Windmills and Cheese Tour from Amsterdam

5.0(38) 8h
From €430
per personViator
Professional Photo Shoot in Amsterdam

Professional Photo Shoot in Amsterdam

5.0(38) 1h
From €500
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to hike the Zuiderzeepad

  • Spring (April to May): The best window for the Zuiderzeepad, with 8 to 18°C (46 to 64°F), long days of 14 to 16 hours, and birds on the Flevoland polders and dikes. Showers pass quickly.
  • Summer (June to August): Highs of 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F) and light until after 10 pm. Expect cyclists and day trippers near Harderwijk and Elburg, and higher prices for lodging on weekends.
  • Autumn (September to October): 10 to 18°C (50 to 64°F), thinner crowds and geese arriving on the wetlands. Rain becomes more frequent.
  • Winter (November to March): 0 to 6°C (32 to 43°F), only 8 hours of daylight and strong, raw wind off the water. Some small lodgings close, though rates drop.
Book weekday stays in summer, and aim for May or September for the best mix of light, calm and price.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in The Netherlands


Best quality hotels in The Netherlands

🥾 Hike detailsRoute, distance, and difficulty explained

Total Distance: About 100 km for the section around the Zuiderzee shore, divisible into stages of 15 to 25 km.
Estimated Duration: 4 to 5 walking days, or many short day hikes.
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, mostly paved or grass paths, but wind can slow you.
Starting Point: Almere, with trains from Amsterdam Centraal in about 25 to 30 minutes. Other stages begin at Harderwijk, Elburg and Lelystad stations.
Major Landmarks:
  • Elburg: Walled fishing town.
  • Harderwijk: Old port and harbor.
  • Gooimeer shore: Lake views near Almere.
Terrain and Scenery: Dikes, reclaimed land, beaches, marinas and small villages with
… read more 👉
Total Distance: About 100 km for the section around the Zuiderzee shore, divisible into stages of 15 to 25 km.
Estimated Duration: 4 to 5 walking days, or many short day hikes.
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, mostly paved or grass paths, but wind can slow you.
Starting Point: Almere, with trains from Amsterdam Centraal in about 25 to 30 minutes. Other stages begin at Harderwijk, Elburg and Lelystad stations.
Major Landmarks:
  • Elburg: Walled fishing town.
  • Harderwijk: Old port and harbor.
  • Gooimeer shore: Lake views near Almere.
Terrain and Scenery: Dikes, reclaimed land, beaches, marinas and small villages with huge sky views.
Vegetation: Reeds, willow, grassland, farmland and patches of pine near the Veluwe edge.
Wildlife: Geese, herons, spoonbills, grebes and other waterfowl, plus sheep on the dikes.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

The Zuiderzeepad is a low-risk, well-waymarked walk, and the main hazards are wind, rain and blisters. Paths run along dikes and over flat polders with almost no shade, so a rain shell, sun protection and a windproof layer matter more than technical gear. Wind off the IJsselmeer and Markermeer can slow your pace sharply, so plan shorter days when headwinds are forecast. Footing is mostly paved or packed, but grassy dikes get slick after rain and sections shared with cyclists need alertness, so keep to one side and listen for bells. Livestock graze on some dikes; close gates behind you and give sheep space. Ticks are common in grass and woodland, so check your legs each evening. Water and supplies are easy in towns, but refill before long open stretches.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Zuiderzeepad

Most people need 4 to 5 days to walk the roughly 100 km route, at 20 to 25 km a day. You can also split it into day hikes using stations at Almere, Harderwijk, Elburg and Lelystad. A single stage takes about 4 to 6 hours.
It is easy. The path is flat, mostly on dikes and paved or grassy tracks, with no major climbs. Wind and little shade make longer days tiring, especially in summer or on exposed polder sections.
No guide or permit is needed, and it is free to walk. The route is waymarked with the standard long-distance trail markers, and a phone map or the LAW guidebook is enough. Book accommodation in Elburg or Harderwijk ahead in summer.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Dutch hikes near Zuiderzeepad

Explore more nearby:


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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Zuiderzeepad suits walkers who like quiet engineering history, birdwatching and easy distances more than dramatic peaks. It is ideal for a first long-distance trip or a rest from mountains. The limits are wind, little shade and long straight stretches that can feel repetitive. Take it in stages and enjoy the towns.

✈️ When did I visit The Netherlands?
Netherlands is my home base, so whenever I don’t travel, you can find me in this tiny spot on the globe. When friends from abroad visit me, it’s the time to actually explore my own country as a traveler.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in The Netherlands, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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