Maps for holland

[d87heaven]

Im struggling a bit with what maps if any I should get for a tour around Holland. I would like to go on some of the smaller tracks and meander to my destination rather just ride from point a to b on the quickest/most direct route.

Do I even need a map at all?

I see there is an atlas avaible but its from 2007.

Or the there is another titled ANWB Fietsatlas - Netherland North and south for £25 each.

Or should I get individual maps at £8 a pop?

 

[willem]

The situation is much better than you think. Yes I think it would help if you had a large scale map to get some sense of the whole. Beyond that, there is now the fietsrouteplanner, the online routeplanner for cyclists. See http://www.fietsersb...tsroute-planner
Unfortunately the interface is still only in Dutch, but I guess you should be able to work it out. The green version uses the two existing network systems: the network of signposted long distance bike routes (LF routes) and the nodal points system (knooppuntenroutes) where you can build your route going from one numbered nodal point to another. The nodal points are numbered and there are notice boards with detailed maps. The only hard part is getting to a starting point (railway stations area good bet). The green routeplanner combines the information of these two systems to design a route for you. The red one also uses other roads, and has settings for "fast", "nature" etc. I have only tried the green planner. The green planner is the product of many cyclists who have traversed the country to decide on the best roads to take. The red one looks like a computer generated model. As of this moment, there are still a few parts of the country where the nodal point system is not yet complete, and where the red planner does not work at all (planned completion October 2011).
I think if you have some idea of where you want to go, and do not want to use your internet smartphone all the time, you could prepare most of what you intend to do beforehand, and print the route maps. Locally you can always stray away from your planned route by using the nodal points.
Enjoy, the weather has been great thus far,
Willem

 

[snorri]

I bought a small atlas covering the whole country at an ANWB shop a few years ago and it has served me well for touring the Netherlands, although I have bought more detailed maps for some areas when I felt I needed them, which has not been very often.

Spending £25+ sounds a bit unnecessary.

 

[d87heaven]

Thanks for that info. I fear I am stressing too much

Snorri - was it this atlas? ......

 

[Andy in Sig]

Holland is brilliantly signposted for cycling. All you have to do is buy 1:50,000 sheets as you ride along (from book shops or garages) or do what Willem says and you'll do fine.

 

[snorri]

Thanks for that info. I fear I am stressing too much

Snorri - was it this atlas? .....

I think you may well be stressing too much , the cycle routes are well signed and the vast majority of locals speak English and will be happy to help you if lost.

Actually my atlas is 1:200 000, but is now 10 years old.

As Willem suggests, one map to cover the whole country is a good idea, I would then just buy maps over there for the areas you plan to visit.

It would be good to read up on the knooppunt system, maybe you already have, this would be better than trying to learn 'on the job' when you get there.
Relax and enjoy.

 

[willem]

As some of you know, I am Dutch. What you should realize is that although the physical infrastructure of cycle lanes and cycle paths is excellent, it was not designed for the tourist. Cycling is a practical thing, so these lanes are often the shortest route to your destination (to get to work or school as quickly and as safely as possible) but that may be parallel to a busy road. Since the country is so densely populated, the challenge is to turn the trip into a scenic ride. And that is where the knooppunten and LF routes come into the picture. Both are pretty easy to use, but for both a bit of homework helps, and particularly for the knooppunten (you have to decide where you want to go). The LF routes are clearly signposted (unless some local youths have turned the signs...), and with the knooppunten you ride from point to point, with a sign at every junction to direct you to your numbered point of choice. Personally I just write down the numbers of the day on a filing card that I put into my pocket. I guess a downloaded printed map of your chosen route would be more convenient, and gives you some orientation if and when you get lost. The atlas would be great, but for some parts of the country it is likely to be a bit out of date with the knooppunten.
But do not worry. It is easy, and if you decide you need the atlas, there is an anwb shop in every town. As for campsites, there are very many in the country. If you are into more nature oriented ones, this is a site with really nice ones: http://www.natuurkampeerterreinen.nl/?

Willem

 

[psmiffy]

The whole of Holland is a cycle route - because i am generally in transit I just enter at one end and follow whichever cycle sign is labelled to the right place and generally agrees with the distance that I think it should be to my next immediate destination - as you go along there are often many more signs - sometimes with a map showing routes to whatever destination you have picked - on the occasions that i have taken them - when they seem to be in my favour - I have been treated to a plethora of little villages.

If you want to meander it is pretty easy using a 100k map and making it up as you go along - the 2007 atlas would seem to be ideal - a few years back I cycled on a dutch cycle path that had hardly changed since the last time I cycled on it - 1970 or thereabouts

 

[Will1962]

Just to add to Willem's post, you can get an interactive map of the Knoopunts at: http://fietsknooppunt.routeplanner.nl/html/Falk/

You will also often find the same maps at the knoopunts, showing the surrounding area.


Will

 

[Borbus]

OpenStreetMap looks pretty good in the Netherlands: http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=52.356&lon=4.913&zoom=11&layers=M

 

[slowmotion]

Just to add to Willem's post, you can get an interactive map of the Knoopunts at: http://fietsknooppun...r.nl/html/Falk/

Thanks for that. I tried following the Knoopunts twice. I works really well until you miss one. I got lost in Zandvoot and also in Harlem. The link you posted would have been hugely helpful as it matches street names to the route in urban areas.

I love paper maps and used the Falk 1:50,000 bike maps.

http://www.falk.nl/nl/fietskaarten/g7/

You can buy paper maps from these good people....

http://www.dezwerver.nl/home/

The site is in Dutch but they speak excellent English on the phone and will take your order.

Have fun.

 

[Fietslogies]

Thanks for that. I tried following the 'Knooppunten' twice. It works really well until you miss one.

3 useful hints:

After zooming in and out, print out some sheets at an ideal size (not too small, not too big)
Near the crossroads -and while cycling!- develop an eye for the signposts of the opposite direction. With that information, you should always be able to reconstruct your itinerary.
Locals are nearly always quite charmed by a foreigner cycling their region. They'll be glad to put you back on track.

Fietsnet is a Belgian routeplanner covering also half of the Netherlands!

Signposts are available at every junction. Huge panels with maps are less frequent.

 

[d87heaven]

Thanks for all the help guys.