Have you ever wished that cycling through the region could be as simple as connecting the dots? Well, the Dutch have your back! The country is covered with socalled 'Fietsknooppunten' — an innovative network of bicycle junctions (or nodes) that turns your bike ride into an exciting adventure. Just follow the numbered signs!
Connecting the Dots: What are Fietsknooppunten?
Originally devised by our Belgian neighbors, the Fietsknooppunten system is comprised of numbered junctions (nodes) that create a seamless network for navigating the scenic terrain of the Netherlands and beyond — it even extends into Germany!
Fietsknooppunten take you along charming country roads and bustling cityscapes, hopping from one numbered node to the next, and following the tiny arrow on the next green signpost around the corner.
Charting Your Course with Fietsknooppunten
The beauty of the Fietsknooppunten is in its flexibility. While many hotels and B&Bs provide pre-prepared route maps (often with fietsknooppunten), you can easily create your own route using regional maps, websites, or mobile apps. And if you feel spontaneous, expand or shorten the route as you go. The power — and the pedals — is in your hands!
Even the tech-averse have options! When planning a route, just jot down the junction numbers on a slip of paper and either clip it to the cable of your bicycle’s handbrake with a clothespin or tuck it into your pocket for quick reference as you go. Use your phone as a backup navigator for those rare missed turns.
You can purchase special ‘fietsknooppunt’-holders for attaching these routes to your bicycle… But (as a penny-pinching Dutchman), why spend money on a special holder (that can break) when a low-tech solution involving just a piece of paper and an ordinary clothespin is more reliable and less expensive? Some might argue that it’s because it can get wet! So, if it starts raining, how difficult is it to remember the next node’s number and put the slip of paper with your route into your pocket?
To illustrate how flexible these routes are... I enjoy cycling with my wife, and sometimes we are overly optimistic and need to shorten the route or take a detour. At each node (junction), there is a map with the node network. We’ll stop at one of these maps and make changes to our planned route as needed. I always keep a pen (and some paper) in my bicycle bag so that I can make changes to my slip of paper and clip it back onto the cable of my handbrake.
Finding Hidden Gems with Fietsknooppunten
What I love about Fietsknooppunten is how it leads me to picturesque paths hidden from the road’s view — the kind of secret gems I might never have stumbled upon otherwise. The network ensures that you’re exploring nature’s wonders and historic places, without a car in sight.
But watch out! While junction numbers correspond to specific regions, some may appear twice in two different regions if you’re cycling near the borders of a region. Keep an eye on this when charting your route, and make sure you don’t confuse them during your journey.
Orienting Yourself with Fietsknooppunten Maps
At most junctions, you’ll find a large, detailed map displaying the routes and junction numbers. These maps are key to keeping yourself on track. You'll see that many locals are also stopping at these junctions, because they help you to quickly determine your current location and the direction you want to pedal (and/or make last minute changes to your route). Combine this with a handy cycling app or the trusty paper-and-clip method, and you’re all set to explore!
Join the Adventure in the Netherlands and Beyond
Fietsknooppunten are popular in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany — opening up an interconnected network for your cycling adventures! So, why wait? Saddle up and dive into the Dutch experience of cycling adventures filled with jaw-dropping sceneries and mesmerizing hidden gems with Fietsknooppunten.
Some of the more popular Fietsknooppunten websites
Some of these websites are in Dutch. Your web browser may include a feature to translate webpage content while browsing.
- Route.nl (also in English)
https://www.route.nl/tips/fietsknooppunten
Route.nl is one of my favorite “Fietsknooppunten”-websites, with a very user-friendly interface and a free phone app.
On Route.nl, I’m constantly adding new cycling routes for you to use. The cycling routes are free to use, and there is a premium subscription available if you require additional functionality. — As a true Dutchman, I use a free account.😂 - Nederland Fietsland (Dutch, English, and German)
https://www.nederlandfietsland.nl/knooppuntroutes/ - ANWB Fietsknooppuntenplanner (Dutch)
https://www.anwb.nl/fietsroutes/fietsknooppuntenplanner - Fietsknoop (Dutch)
https://www.fietsknoop.nl/planner
Regardless which site/app you use, all sites use the same node numbers. The cycling routes that I publish always include a list of nodes, so you can easily write them down or copy them into your preferred app!