Why
The existing cycle path, overlooking the IJsselmeer, has always been popular with cyclists and long-distance walkers and cyclists. The Afsluitdijk abuts the Unesco World Heritage Site the Wadden Sea. A beautiful nature reserve where, until recently, you could enjoy the view of the Wadden Sea only from a few places. To improve this, the provinces of North Holland and Friesland and the municipalities of Hollands Kroon and Súdwest-Fryslân decided to build an additional cycle and footpath with a view of the Wadden Sea.
How
The "Levvel" construction consortium (consisting of BAM, Van Oord, Rebel and Invesis) offered a cycle and footpath over the entire length of the Afsluitdijk. This way, we make the hiking and biking routes between the junctions of Zurich, Kornwerderzand, Breezanddijk, the Vlietermonument and Den Oever even more attractive.
The new cycle and footpath consists of two parts:
- between the Stevin locks and the Lorentz locks on the Afsluitdijk
- between Zurich and Kornwerderzand in Friesland
The new cycle and footpath - like the existing cycle path that will remain available - will form a complete link between the provinces of North Holland and Friesland. It's possible to bike or walk a circuit between a number of junctions, alternating back and forth with views of the Wadden Sea or IJsselmeer.
The new path on the Wadden Sea side is shielded from traffic on the A7 by the dyke itself and is therefore much more tranquil. Even so, wind from a particular direction can create an extra challenge to traversing the Afsluitdijk by bike or on foot.
When
The cycle path is open
Most of the cycle and footpath - like the existing cycle path that will remain available - will form a complete link between the provinces of North Holland and Friesland. It's possible to bike or walk a circuit between a number of junctions, alternating back and forth with views of the Wadden Sea or IJsselmeer. along the Wadden Sea Unesco World Heritage Site is open, but for the time being, cyclists and hikers cannot pass the locks near Den Oever and Kornwerderzand. This will remain the case at least through 2024 and 2025. That's why the free bicycle bus for bikers and hikers will run until at least the end of 2025. We will study how we can improve the cycle path's accessibility for the period after 2025
Read more about the free bicycle bus.