Through the dunes: from Egmond to Beverwijk

You start at Restaurant Zorgeloos, near Egmond. Here you can enjoy magnificent dunes and a picturesque polder landscape. First, you cycle to Egmond Binnen, passing the park where the Abbey of Egmond is located. Founded in the tenth century, this St. Adelbert Abbey is the oldest in the Netherlands. The original building was destroyed by the Sea Beggars in 1573 on the orders of William of Orange. The abbey's assets were used to finance the founding of the University of Leiden. It was not until 1935 that a new abbey was built, which still houses a community of monks. Via Beverwijk, you cycle to Wijk aan Zee. On the return journey, you ride through the Egmond dunes. Behind the dune tops, it is wonderfully sheltered cycling through a varied open and wooded area.