About this route

The 600 km LF1 Noordzeeroute is one of about 25 signposted long-distance cycle routes in The Netherlands and Belgium. They are indicated by LF followed by a route number, and also have a descriptive name. The Noordzeeroute appears on road signs as LF1a or LF1b depending on which direction one goes.

Which direction to go?

Most frequent wind direction is from southwest to northeast. For myself, I consider the direction from south to north more attractive as well. Most foreign visitors I've encountered on the route, also went north.
However most publications are based on riding in the opposite direction, north to south, which is signposted as the 'a' direction. Due to the reasons above, tracks and description on this blog are based on the other way, starting in France, heading to Den Helder following LF1b signs and continued on the official extension to Harlingen. 

By starting at Boulogne-sur-Mer, the French section avoids the busy towns of Calais and Dunkirk. Therefore, the route runs some away from the coast. When crossing the Belgian border it's still a bit inland, but after a change of the route in 2003,  it includes some sections close to the coast between De Panne and Zeebrugge. This route change was essentially a detour around Veurne and Nieuwpoort, and another between Oostende and Zeebrugge, making it 57 kilometers longer.
You might choose to follow the old route, referred to as the Classical North Sea Route. This classical route goes straight through the town of Brugges, one of the most picturesque villages on the route. The classicial version is included as a track in the GPX file, and as a seperate layer on the Geocommons/OpenStreet map.
On the Dutch section, the cyclist will be guided along the impressive Delta Works in the province of Zeeland, followed by the Dutch dunes close to the shore, largely on a long dedicated cycle path with no motorized traffic.
At the end of the signposted route, there is an extension to the islands Texel and Vlieland, ending by ferry at the town of Harlingen on the mainland. A private ferry service between Texel and Vlieland goes irregular and you should definitely make a reservation for taking your bike, but is quite an adventure to experience.

The Dutch Coastal Route

The Dutch part of the LF1 continues in the LF10 Waddenzeeroute direction Germany. Together they form the Nederlandse Kustroute, and is also the Dutch part of the international NSCR. The LF10 starts about 20 km before the end of the signposted part of the LF1, and runs over the Afsluitdijk - the Enclosure Dyke. As an alternative for cycling this 30 km long dyke, follow the LF1 extension to Harlingen using 3 ferries.
The LF10 route is included as track in the GPX files and as layer on Geocommons, but less well checked in the field as is done with the LF1 Northsearoute. 

About me

Long-distance cycling is a way to escape from a busy daily life. Living close to the LF1, its route was often the start or ending of a cycle tour, even before it was part of the long-distance cycle network. I like to encourage everyone to follow this beautiful bike path and I hope you'll find something usefull on this blog helping to enjoy your tour.