An official cycling route around the airport leads to Schiphol-Rijk. The village is home to Business Park Oude Meer, a logistics and airport-related business area. If you are looking for accommodation in Schiphol-Rijk, you can combine your stay with two specific themes: the official cycling route around the airport and the local history of aviation and fortifications. Street names, historic sites and distinctive architectural features offer different points of interest.
Cycling around the airport
On the official cycling route around the airport, you reach Schiphol-Rijk after following the cycle path alongside the runway lights of the Aalsmeerbaan. The route then continues along the Ringvaart to Fort bij Aalsmeer. This makes for a clear sequence: first the section alongside the Aalsmeerbaan, then the ride beside the water to the fort. Check the route details before setting out.
Another cycling connection runs along the Liniepad from the Aalsmeerderdijk to Fort bij Aalsmeer. It follows the historic Geniedijk, which is 11 km long and forms part of the Stelling van Amsterdam. Along the route, you can discover other hidden highlights. The two cycling routes described here therefore share a destination, but differ in their landmarks: the airport route follows the lights of the Aalsmeerbaan, while the Liniepad follows the Geniedijk.
From former village to aviation history
The name Schiphol-Rijk recalls the former village of Rijk. It disappeared in the 1950s to make way for Schiphol-Centrum; in 1959, it was demolished to allow Schiphol to expand. This history gives the place name a specific connection to the airport’s development, rather than making it merely a reference to its present-day location next to Schiphol.
Nearby Fort bij Aalsmeer also brings together the history of fortifications and aviation. The fort is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam and became the base of the military airfield Schiphol in 1916, later Schiphol Airport. The fort houses the CRASH Luchtoorlog- en Verzetsmuseum '40-'45, located near Rijsenhout and Aalsmeerderbrug. Parts of a Fokker D.XXI aircraft, shot down by the German occupying forces, are on display there. The history of the fortification and a specific aviation-history exhibit thus come together at the same site.
The connection to aviation is also reflected in the street network. Business Park Oude Meer includes Fokkerweg, Bellsingel and Koolhovenlaan, among others; the streets in Schiphol-Rijk are named after aircraft manufacturers, including these three. Schiphol-Rijk also borders the former factory site of aircraft manufacturer Fokker. The street names and former factory site offer their own local connection to aviation, alongside the history of the airport and the fort.
Another historical trace can be found at Schiphol Airport: the roof of its bus station is made from an old aircraft hangar dating from the Second World War. Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol serves as a landmark for finding your way around Schiphol-Rijk. The hotel has a distinctive diamond-shaped tile pattern made up of three layers, as well as diamond-shaped windows. Both details give this landmark a distinctive architectural character.
Cycling or exploring historical traces?
If you want to spend most of your time cycling, the route from the Aalsmeerbaan along the Ringvaart provides a clear path to Fort bij Aalsmeer; the Liniepad is another way to reach the fort. If you want to focus on history, you can explore the vanished village of Rijk, the Geniedijk, the fort and the aircraft parts at the CRASH Museum as distinct topics.
Discover more destinations: Lijnden, Hoofddorp, Vijfhuizen, Badhoevedorp, Halfweg, Zwanenburg, Schiphol, Nieuw-Vennep
For the broader travel overview: Haarlemmermeer.
