Best scenic rides

Pick your favorite and let yourself be surprised by everything you encounter along the way. No time to ride all the routes? All the more reason to book another few days on Texel soon.

Northern Bird Route

A varied route where you can definitely tick off dozens of birds from your list. In De Slufter and De Muy, songbirds treat you to a true concert. From lapwings to grasshopper warblers, chiffchaffs and nightingales – they all make themselves heard. Once you’ve passed De Cocksdorp, you head straight for the nature reserve De Schorren. This untouched part of nature is home to many wading birds. Spoonbills, redshanks, terns, oystercatchers… and that’s just a few from the list. Even if you’re not a birdwatcher, you’ll enjoy the spectacle. They skim the water in formation – a beautiful sight.

• Starting point: De Koog
• Junctions: check the route: 20 → 21 → 22 → 27 → 28 → 29 → 31 → 32 → 34 → 67 → 27 → 22 → 21 → 20

Great place for a break

Settle in at the Sluftercafé, delightfully old-fashioned and known for its delicious apple pie. For lunch, pick a table at beach pavilion Kaap Noord, with a sea view. End your day with a Texel beer (and some bites) at Restaurant Floris, close to the De Schorren nature reserve.

Lamb Route

Springtime joy on two wheels: spotting lambs between the traditional stone walls of De Hoge Berg. This route is perfect for families, especially with a stop at the ultimate lamb hotspot. At Schapenboerderij Texel, you can cuddle lambs – all year round. The route also passes the farm shop at De Waddel, where Jan-Willem and his family continue the island’s sheep farming tradition. No small feat, in times when wool brings little profit and costs are rising. The paths you ride are steeped in history – no surprise, as De Hoge Berg is the oldest part of Texel. You can uncover the stories at Kaap Skil.

• Starting point: Den Burg (VVV Texel)
• Junctions: check the route: 26 → 41 → 40 → 39 → 38 → 51 → 50 → 76 → 64

Great place for a break

Make a detour from the route via Pontweg to visit Schapenboerderij Texel – or save it for the end of your ride. A great incentive for the kids to keep pedaling, with lamb cuddles waiting! Along the way, stock up your panniers at De Waddel. In Oudeschild, enjoy one of the many terraces – or grab some fresh fish by the dike at Texelse Visspecialist.

Charming Island Route – for bon vivants

Love the good life? Then this route was made for you. Through the forest and Den Hoorn, you’ll pass artisanal businesses. Texel’s sheep cheese has earned a name far beyond the island. But did you know Texel even has its own vineyard – the only one in the Wadden region? You can book a tour and tasting with a view of the vines. Beautiful local ingredients – like sea buckthorn, cranberries, and flowers – are lovingly used in the products of Landgoed De Bonte Belevenis. Taste them in the tea garden – or dive into the distillery and learn all about Texel’s whisky and liqueurs.

• Starting point: Den Burg (VVV Texel)
• Junctions: Via Pontweg to Rozendijk → 46 → 15 → 5 → 11 → 10 → 9 → 12 → 14 → 26 → 76

Great place for a break

The first stop – yes, we’re diving right in – is vineyard De Kroon van Texel. After cycling through the woods, you’ll arrive at De Bonte Belevenis. On the way back, don’t forget to pick up some cheese at Wezenspyk.

Forest & Dune Route

The green heart of Texel, the De Dennen forest area, is a paradise for cyclists. Shaded paths, fragrant pine forest, rolling dunes and heathland: this route offers lots of variety. On the shell trails, that island feeling hits instantly. The lookout tower Fonteinsnol or the Sommeltjespad for little ones are definitely worth a stop. Or are the rustling waves calling you to the beach?

• Starting point: De Koog
• Junctions: check the route: 20 → 16 → 15 → 5 → 46 → 16 → 70 → 71 → 20

Great place for a break

Take the turnoff to Paal 15 for coffee (or lunch) by the sea. In the woods along the Rozendijk, you’ll find Worsteltent, offering an Italian experience in a historic farmhouse.

With the wind at your back

More of a free spirit and prefer to map your own route? Then you’ve got the island mindset – we like to do things in the Texel-way too. Let the wind decide your direction. Handy tools include the Fietsknooppunten app or the matching map from VVV Texel.

Enjoy your ride!