The Rhine in the Netherlands is not so much one river as an entire delta. So cycling the Rhine opens up a whole delta of choices – and the course of EuroVelo 15, aka the Rijnfietsroute (Rhine bicycle route), takes in a little bit of all of them.

Starting on the German border at Millingen, it takes in important cities (Arnhem, Dordrecht, Rotterdam), smaller, historic settlements (Leerdam, Rhenen, Gorinchem), and little riverside towns on its meandering 260km route (160 miles). Most is by the Nederrijn or smaller waterways such as the Linge: only at Rotterdam does it join the mighty shipping waterway for its final section to Hoek van Holland.

It’s far from the fastest route across the Netherlands, but it’s well-chosen and always interesting. Roughly half is on traffic-free paths (particularly in cities), the other half on quiet roads. The quiet Linge and the waterlands approaching Dordrecht are particular highlights.

For cyclists from the UK, this would make an easy ‘long weekend’ route. Take the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland, catch a series of trains to Arnhem, and ride back to the ferry.

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