Regional map
Best for detailed day rides and short tours. A scale around 1:50,000 generally shows local connections more clearly.
Planning your route
Maps and books for a dependable ride
A paper map gives you the wider picture: where paths connect, how landscapes fit together and which alternative can rescue a day when signs, batteries or plans let you down.
Choose by coverage, scale and the route system you intend to follow.
Start with the journey
Choose the map that answers your route questions
Cycle-map catalogues change over time, but the decision remains straightforward. A regional sheet offers useful detail for a compact tour. A national atlas provides context for longer journeys. A city map can help identify comfortable crossings, cycleways and services in a dense urban area.
Look for current coverage of the numbered cycle network, marked routes and the national long-distance route network. If signposting is central to your plan, review how Dutch cycle signs work before departure.
National atlas
Useful for seeing how regions and long-distance routes connect, while accepting less street-level detail.
City cycle map
Designed to reveal cycleways, comfortable through-routes, parking and other bicycle services in urban areas.
National and regional formats
What established map series contain
The source material named several well-known Dutch map families. Use this overview to compare their traditional strengths, then verify the latest available edition.
Detailed regional map series
ANWB Fietskaart series
Traditionally published as separate sheets at approximately 1:50,000.
- Cycle paths and numbered junctions
- National long-distance routes
- Topographical and visitor information
- Street names outside built-up areas
Falk Fietskaarten
A separate-sheet series traditionally using a scale near 1:50,000.
- Cycle paths, junctions and long routes
- Topographical and visitor information
- Themed route suggestions
- Place-name index in listed editions
J.F.G. Eberhardt tourist maps
Walking and cycling maps with broader coverage at approximately 1:150,000.
- Selected marked walking and cycling routes
- Visitor information and accommodation
- Historically listed bicycle rental locations
Basiskaart netwerk LF-routes
The source described a 2018–2019 map set at 1:100,000. Treat that edition as an archive reference rather than a current network authority.
- Cycle paths, junctions and LF routes
- Topographical and visitor information
- Water-resistant paper in the listed set
Whole-country cycle atlases
ANWB Fietsatlas Nederland
Historically listed at 1:100,000, with cycle paths, junctions, LF routes, visitor information and a place-name index.
Falk Fietsatlas Nederland
Historically listed at 1:75,000, including cycle infrastructure, route networks, accommodation and a place-name index.
De Landelijke Fietsatlas
A whole-country atlas traditionally listed at 1:100,000, combining cycle routes, topography, visitor information and accommodation.
What to compare
Check binding, waterproofing, publication date, map key, index quality and whether the relevant network extends cleanly across sheet boundaries.
Edition note: ISBNs, sheet counts and bundled digital media from older listings have been omitted because they may no longer identify the most useful current product. Confirm details before ordering.
Urban navigation
Choosing a cycle map for Amsterdam
A general visitor map can locate sights, but a dedicated cycle map is more useful when it distinguishes cycleways, comfortable through-routes, bridges and bicycle services. Older editions included titles such as Amsterdam op de fiets and regional companion maps; verify that any copy reflects the present network.
Cycle infrastructure
Look for paths and practical crossings.
Look for paths and practical crossings.
Street index
Useful when plans change mid-ride.
Useful when plans change mid-ride.
Regional reach
Check whether countryside links are included.
Check whether countryside links are included.
Bicycle services
Parking, rental and repair can help.
Parking, rental and repair can help.
For more context, see the source page’s Amsterdam cycle-map review.
How we work
Turn map coverage into a rideable plan
Holland Cycling recommends treating the map as part of a navigation system rather than a fixed instruction sheet.
Define the ride
Decide whether you need city detail, a regional day-trip map or a national touring overview.
Check coverage
Confirm scale, edition date and inclusion of junctions or marked routes relevant to your trip.
Mark essentials
Note key junctions, rail options, ferries, overnight stops and realistic alternatives.
Carry a fallback
Keep the paper overview accessible and save essential digital information offline.
Purchasing and preparation
Buy for usefulness, not simply detail
A readable, current map that covers the complete ride is more valuable than a highly detailed sheet that stops halfway through your route.
Buying in Holland
Cycle maps may be available from bookshops with travel sections, visitor-information points and outlets serving popular cycling areas. Availability varies, so check before relying on a specific shop or edition.
Buying before travel
Check international postage, expected delivery time and the exact edition. If buying second-hand, ask for the publication year and photographs of the legend and coverage area.
Common questions
Using maps with confidence
Practical answers for selecting and carrying navigation material on a Dutch cycling trip.
What scale is best for a day ride?
A scale around 1:50,000 commonly gives a useful balance of detail and coverage. A city map may need more detail, while a national atlas can use a smaller scale.
Do I still need a paper map with a route-planning app?
A paper overview remains useful for understanding alternatives and navigating when a device fails, loses power or has no connection. You can also consult the online cycle route planner.
How do numbered junctions appear on maps?
Compatible maps show numbered nodes and the links between them. Write down the intended sequence, but retain enough overview to reroute if a link is unavailable.
Are older maps still usable?
They can provide geographical context, but should not be trusted for current route alignment, services, ferries or temporary access. Cross-check important details.
Should I choose waterproof paper?
It is convenient in wet conditions. Otherwise, use a transparent map case or waterproof sleeve and fold the map to the active section before riding.
Is an atlas practical on the bicycle?
An atlas is excellent for planning and overview, but its binding and page size may be awkward in a handlebar holder. Consider copying or noting the relevant sections for lawful personal use.
About this site
Independent guidance for better route decisions
Holland Cycling brings together destination ideas, navigation principles and practical preparation for independent bicycle trips across the Netherlands.
Map editions and networks change. Confirm publication details, access information and transport conditions with the relevant provider before relying on them.
Learn more about this siteSuggest a correction
If a map series has changed or a navigation detail needs updating, contact Holland Cycling: