The Rondje Diemerscheg is an approximately 30-kilometre cycling route through the green areas between Amsterdam, Diemen and Weesp. The municipality of Diemen launched the route in 2025; check the route details before setting off. The trails in the Diemerbos are shorter: the Rondje Diemerbos circular route is 2.9 kilometres long, and the Veeneikroute is 3.7 kilometres. This makes it possible to distinguish a longer cycling route from two shorter forest trails by their stated distances.
Forest Trails and Landscape
The Diemerbos is open year-round. The entrance at Veeneikbrug is intended for pedestrians and cyclists; check the access rules there. The paved paths are suitable for wheelchairs, mobility walkers and pushchairs. Separate bridleways run through almost the entire forest. Here, different routes and uses meet, without all the paths serving the same purpose.
The Diemer Vijfhoek, also known as PEN Island, offers a different landscape: the artificial peninsula is a nature reserve in the IJmeer near Over-Diemen. Cormorants, tufted ducks and grebes can be spotted there. The old network of ditches in the polder landscape has been preserved in De Omloop Park. The meadows are inaccessible and popular with animals; many birds also nest there.
Natuurpark Spoorzicht is freely accessible to walkers. Its alder woods are home to rare plants and wildlife. The IVN Butterfly and Bird Garden and the De Harmonie community garden are also freely accessible. The Overdiemen recreation area offers opportunities to walk and cycle along the Diem River. Several walking routes also pass through the polder landscape and along the banks of the Diem, where you can enjoy the tranquillity of nature.
History and Local Culture
Oud-Diemen was one of the oldest settlements in the Amstelland region; historic houses have been rebuilt there. The Zeldenrust farm dates from the 17th century and is the oldest preserved house in Diemen. The historic structure of De Oude Smidse has also been preserved. These places offer different ways to connect with local history: from early settlements and rebuilt houses to a farm dating from the 17th century.
Schuilkerk De Hoop is the only surviving rural hidden church in the Amsterdam area. It is used as a wedding venue, concert hall and for other events; check availability for a specific date. Fort Diemerdam is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, which is protected as a UNESCO monument, and can be visited free of charge. The Nederlands-Israëlitische begraafplaats in Diemen was inaugurated on 3 May 1914.
A walking route explores Diemen’s history during the Second World War; the accompanying stories can be accessed via QR codes. The recurring events also have set dates: the Diemer Festijn has been a tradition in Diemen since 1983 and takes place in the first full week of September. The Wereldfestival has been held every July since 2017. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the specific event dates.
A Taste of the Diemerbos
House of Bird, the official tasting room of Bird Brewery, is located in the Diemerbos. It offers 18 of its own beers on tap as standard; additional varieties are available in bottles and cans. This offers a way to explore the area beyond its trails and nature reserves: here, the focus is on a brewery’s beer selection, while the forest itself has routes of different lengths, including the circular route and the Veeneikroute.
Practical Information
Covered bicycle parking is available at Diemen’s railway stations. Along with the cycling route through the green areas and the trails in the Diemerbos, this is a useful point of reference when planning your trip by bike. You can consider nature, history and event dates separately when choosing your destinations: route lengths help you compare the trails, while the festival weeks provide specific dates for a visit.
Discover more destinations: Diemen, Alkmaar, Andijk, Koggenland, Harenkarspel, Aalsmeer, Blaricum, Purmerend
For the regional travel overview: North Holland.
