LF-routes

{{Short description|Network of cycle routes in the Netherlands and Belgium}}

LF-Routes ({{Lang|nl|Landelijke Fietsroutes}}, Dutch for countrywide cycling routes) are long-distance cycling routes that form a network in the Netherlands and Belgium. The routes, criss-crossing both countries, are primarily intended for recreational multi-day bike tours, such as cycling holidays. Some routes are also part of a wider international network.

Most of the LF routes have been signposted in two directions, inscribing one direction with the letter "a", the other with the letter "b": the North Sea Route LF1 southbound from Den Helder to French Boulogne-sur-Mer is called LF1a, while in the other direction it is called LF1b.

History

In 1987, Dutch cyclists' organisations founded a "countrywide cycling platform" to create a network of long-distance cycling routes throughout the Netherlands. This platform published maps and guides and started signposting its routes in 1990.

Belgium introduced its first long-distance route, not yet called "LF" by that time, in 1964: it connected youth hostels and was therefore called Jeugdherbergenroute, which later became the LF50. Belgium signposted its first LF-route in 1990 as well (the LF1 North Sea Route) and two years later, the GR organisation took over the planning of Belgian LF-routes.

At the maximum extent, both countries had created a network of 36 routes, of which 5 were only in Belgium, 15 in the Netherlands and 16 in both. Some routes also extend into France and Germany. However, due to the expansion of the numbered-node cycle network, Belgium reduced its official network in 2012 (routes marked ) and the Netherlands is doing the same between 2017 and 2021 (routes marked ).

Routes

class="wikitable"
Route numberNameStart & end pointsLengthConnections For the Netherlands: based on the map on {{cite web|title=LF-routes|url=http://www.nederlandfietsland.nl/lf-routes|work=Nederland Fietsland|accessdate=16 February 2017}} For Belgium: {{cite web|title=LF-routes|url=http://www.velo-ravel.net/cartes_LF.html|work=Vélo Ravel|accessdate=16 February 2017}}
LF1Noordzeeroute (North Sea Route)Den Helder - Boulogne-sur-Mer (France)470 km {{cite web|title=LF 1 North Sea Route - Flanders Cycle Route|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/94/lf-1-north-sea-route---flanders-cycle-route.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

}}

LF2Stedenroute (Cities' Route)Amsterdam - Brussels337 km {{cite web|title=LF 2 Cities Route - Flanders|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/95/lf-2-cities-route---flanders.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

}}

LF3Rietlandroute (Reed bed Route)
Hanzeroute (Hanseatic League Route)
Maasroute (River Maas Route)
Holwerd - Kampen
Kampen - Millingen aan de Rijn
Millingen - Maastricht
535 km {{cite web|title=GPS tracks|url=http://www.hollandcyclingroutes.com/long-distance-cycle-routes/gps-tracks|work=hollandcyclingroutes.com|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

}}

LF4 Midden-Nederlandroute (Middle of the Netherlands Route)The Hague - Enschede290 km {{flatlist|

  • The Hague: LF1, LF11
  • Alphen aan den Rijn: LF2
  • Utrecht: LF7, LF9
  • Doorn: LF17
  • Arnhem: LF3
  • Bronkhorst: LF3
  • Borculo: LF8
  • Enschede: LF14, LF15

}}

LF5Vlaanderen Fietsroute (Flanders Cycle Route) (North)Damme - Roermond320 km {{cite web|title=LF 5 Flanders Cycle Route|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/96/lf-5-flanders-cycle-route.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

}}

LF6Vlaanderen Fietsroute (South)Diksmuide - Aachen (Germany)400 km {{cite web|title=LF 6 Flanders Cycle Route|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/98/lf-6-flanders-cycle-route.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

}}

LF7Oeverlandroute (River Bank Route)Schoorl - Maastricht435 km {{cite web|title=LF 7 Flanders Cycle Route|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/97/lf-7-flanders-cycle-route.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

LF8 n/aOmmen - Winterswijk100 km {{flatlist|
  • Ommen: LF14, LF16
  • Holten: LF15, LF19
  • Borculo: LF4
  • }}

    LF9 NAP-route (Amsterdam Ordnance Datum Route)Bad Nieuweschans - Zoersel505 km {{cite web|title=LF 9 NAP-Route|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/99/lf-9-nap-route---flanders.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

    }}

    LF10Waddenzeeroute (Wadden Sea Route)Callantsoog - Bad Nieuweschans275 km {{flatlist|

    }}

    LF11 Prinsenroute (Princes' Route)The Hague - Breda125 km {{flatlist|

    • The Hague: LF1, LF4
    • Vlaardingen: LF12
    • Rotterdam: LF2
    • Dordrecht: LF2, LF12
    • Moerdijk: LF2
    • Breda: LF9, LF13

    }}

    LF12Maas- en Vestingroute (River Maas and Fortresses Route)Hook of Holland - Groesbeek220 km {{flatlist|

    • Hook of Holland: LF1
    • Vlaardingen: LF11
    • Dordrecht: LF2, LF11
    • Woudrichem: LF9
    • 's-Hertogenbosch: LF7
    • Groesbeek: LF3

    }}

    LF13 Schelde-Rheinroute (Scheldt-Rhine Route)Flushing - Venlo290 km {{flatlist|

    • Flushing: LF1
    • Roosendaal: LF2, LF50
    • Breda: LF9, LF11
    • Alphen: LF35
    • Best: LF7
    • Mierlo: LF7
    • Venlo: LF3

    }}

    LF14 Saksenroute (Saxons' Route)Lauwersoog - Enschede240 km {{flatlist|

    • Lauwersoog: LF10, ferry to Schiermonnikoog
    • Groningen: LF9, LF20
    • Hardenberg: LF16
    • Ommen: LF8, LF16
    • Enschede: LF4, LF15

    }}

    LF15 Boerenlandroute (Farmland Route)Alkmaar - Enschede260 km {{flatlist|

    • Alkmaar: LF7
    • Enkhuizen: LF21
    • Lelystad: LF20
    • Kampen: LF3, LF22, LF23
    • Zwolle: LF9, LF16
    • Holten: LF8, LF19
    • Enschede: LF4, LF14

    }}

    LF16Vechtdalroute (Vecht Valley Route)Zwolle - Darfeld (Germany)230 km {{flatlist|

    • Zwolle: LF9, LF15
    • Ommen: LF8, LF14
    • Hardenberg: LF14

    }}

    LF17n/aGorinchem - Doorn60 km {{flatlist|

    • Gorinchem: LF9
    • Leerdam: LF7
    • Doorn: LF4

    }}

    LF19n/aDeventer - Holten35 km {{flatlist|

    • Deventer: LF3
    • Holten: LF8, LF15

    }}

    LF20 FlevorouteHaarlem - Groningen265 km {{flatlist|

    • Haarlem: LF1
    • Amsterdam: LF2, LF7, LF21, LF23
    • Naarden: LF23
    • Lelystad: LF15
    • Lemmer: LF22
    • Heerenveen: LF3
    • Groningen: LF9, LF14

    }}

    LF21Zuiderzeeroute (West)Amsterdam - Afsluitdijk150 km {{flatlist|

    • Amsterdam: LF2, LF7, LF20, LF23
    • Enkhuizen: LF15
    • Den Oever: LF10
    • Kornwerderzand: LF10, LF22

    }}

    LF22Zuiderzeeroute (East)Afsluitdijk - Kampen130 km {{flatlist|

    • Kornwerderzand: LF10
    • Lemmer: LF20
    • Kampen: LF3, LF15, LF23

    }}

    LF23Zuiderzeeroute (South)Kampen - Amsterdam130 km {{flatlist|

    • Kampen: LF3, LF15, LF22
    • Elburg: LF9
    • Spakenburg: LF9
    • Naarden: LF20
    • Amsterdam: LF2, LF7, LF20, LF21

    }}

    LF30Schelde-Deltaroute (Scheldt-Delta Works route)Breskens - Kluisbergen150 km {{cite web|title=LF 30 Scheldt-Deltaroute - Flanders

    |url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/154/lf-30-scheldt-deltaroute---flanders.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}

    {{flatlist|

    • Breskens: LF1, LF39
    • Hulst: LF38
    • Wachtebeke: LF51
    • Ghent: LF5, LF53
    • Kluisbergen: LF6, RV8

    }}

    LF35Kempen-Haspengouwroute (Campine-Hesbaye Route)Tilburg - Zoutleeuw128 km {{cite web|title=LF 35 Campina-Haspengouwroute|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/177/lf-35-campina-haspengouwroute.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}. Distance Tilburg-Baarle: 18km following the old train tracks.{{flatlist|

    • Alphen: LF13
    • Turnhout: LF5
    • Mol: LF5
    • Dessel: LF51
    • Diest: LF50, LF57, LF58
    • Zoutleeuw: LF6

    }}

    LF38Dender-WaaslandrouteHulst - Geraardsbergen100 km {{cite web|title=LF 38 Dender-Waaslandroute|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/102/lf-38-dender-waaslandroute.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

    }}

    LF39 FlandriensrouteBreskens - Wattignies (France)203 km {{cite web|title=LF 39 Flandriensroute|url=http://www.reisroutes.be/lf-39-flandriensroute/routeinfo-132-265.aspx|work=reisroutes.be|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

    • Breskens: LF1, LF30
    • Kaprijke: LF51
    • Aalter: LF5
    • Tielt: LF52, LF53
    • Ypres: LF6

    }}

    LF50 Jeugdherbergenroute (Youth Hostel Route)Bergen op Zoom - Voeren237 km {{cite web|title=LF 50 Jeugdherbergenroute|url=https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/route/view/254523/fietsroute/lf-50-jeugdherbergenroute|work=Routeyou.com|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

    • Roosendaal: LF2, LF13
    • Loenhout: LF9
    • Zoersel: LF5, LF9, LF557
    • Zandhoven: LF5, LF51, LF557
    • Nijlen: LF550, LF557
    • Diest: LF35, LF57, LF58
    • Riemst: LF6
    • Visé: RV7
    • Voeren: RV4

    }}

    LF51Kempenroute (Campine Route)
    Gravejansroute (Earl John's Route)
    Eindhoven - Antwerp
    Antwerp - Zeebrugge
    120 km {{cite web|title=LF 51 Kempenroute - Flanders|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/en/route/103/lf-51-kempenroute---flanders.html|work=groteroutepaden.be|language=Dutch|accessdate=16 February 2017}}
    +126 km
    {{flatlist|

    • Eindhoven: LF7
    • Valkenswaard: LF57
    • Lommel: LF5
    • Dessel: LF35
    • Zandhoven: LF5, LF50, LF557
    • Antwerp: LF2
    • Sint-Gillis-Waas: LF38
    • Wachtebeke: LF30
    • Kaprijke: LF39
    • Sint-Laureins: LF511
    • Sluis: LF1
    • Zeebrugge: LF52

    }}

    LF52 Guldensporenroute (Golden Spurs Route)Zeebrugge - Kortrijk128 km {{cite web|title=LF 52 Guldensporenroute|url=http://www.reisroutes.be/lf-52-guldensporenroute/routeinfo-132-266.aspx|work=reisroutes.be|language=Dutch|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

    • Zeebrugge: LF51
    • Blankenberge: LF1
    • Jabbeke: LF511
    • Tielt: LF39, LF53
    • Kortrijk: LF6

    }}

    LF53ArtevelderouteDe Panne - Ghent134 km {{cite web|title=LF 53 Artevelderoute|url=http://www.reisroutes.be/lf-53-artevelderoute/routeinfo-132-267.aspx|work=reisroutes.be|language=Dutch|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

    • De Panne: LF511
    • Diksmuide: LF1, LF6
    • Tielt: LF39, LF52
    • Ghent: LF5, LF30

    }}

    LF56n/aBoom - Halle48 km Following the Brussels-Charleroi Canal and the Brussels–Scheldt Maritime Canal{{flatlist|

    • Boom: LF2, LF5
    • Brussels: LF56, RV1, RV4, RV10
    • Halle: LF6, RV1

    }}

    LF57Spiekelspaderoute Leuven - Valkenswaard101 km {{cite web|title=LF 57|url=https://www.routeyou.com/en-us/route/products/196224/fietsroute/lf57|work=Toerisme Vlaanderen|accessdate=16 February 2017}}{{flatlist|

    • Leuven: LF2, LF6, RVU
    • Sint-Joris-Winge: LF557
    • Diest: LF35, LF50, LF58
    • Neerpelt: LF5
    • Valkenswaard: LF51

    }}

    LF58DonderslagrouteDiest - Thorn? km{{flatlist|

    • Diest: LF35, LF50
    • Thorn: LF5, LF7
    • Valkenswaard: LF51

    }}

    LF511GravejansrouteDe Panne - Sint-Laureins83 km{{flatlist|

    • De Panne: LF53
    • Ostend: LF1
    • Jabbeke: LF52
    • Bruges: LF5
    • Sint-Laureins: LF51

    }}

    LF550Verbindingsroute (Link route)Lier - Nijlen7 km{{flatlist|

    • Lier: LF5
    • Nijlen: LF50

    }}

    LF557Troonroute (Throne route)Zoersel - Sint-Joris-Winge50 km{{flatlist|

    • Zoersel: LF5, LF9, LF50
    • Zandhoven: LF5, LF50, LF51, LF557
    • Sint-Joris-Winge: LF57

    }}

    =Tours from combined LF-Routes=

    Although a network like the Belgo-Dutch LF routes enable almost endless combinations of sections, a few themed routes have been officially established:

    class="wikitable"
    NameDescriptionStart & end pointsLength
    Nederlandse Kustroute (Dutch Coastal Route)Dutch sections of the LF1 and LF10 form the Dutch section of EuroVelo 12, the North Sea Cycle Route.Sluis - Bad Nieuweschans570 km
    Maasfietsroute (Maas River cycle route)LF3, LF12, (LF2, LF11)Maastricht - Hook of Holland430 km
    Rijnfietsroute (Rhine River Cycle Route)Sections of the LF12, LF11, LF17, LF4 and LF3. It is part of EuroVelo 15 (the International Rhine Cycle Route) which takes you through Germany, France and Switzerland to the source of the River Rhine.Millingen - Hook of Holland270 km

    LF6 and LF7.

    (tour)600 km
    ZuiderzeerouteLF21, LF22 and LF23 form the Zuiderzee Route (Zuiderzeeroute)(tour)405 km
    Vlaanderen Fietsroute (Tour of the Flemish region)A round tour of the Flemish region, consisting of sections of the LF1, LF5,
    Ronde van Nederland (Tour of the Netherlands)A round tour of the Netherlands following sections of LF routes closest to the border: LF1, LF10, LF14, LF16, LF4, LF3, LF7, LF13.(tour)1300 km
    Rondje Twente (Tour of Twente) Sections of the LF14, LF15 and LF8.(tour)175 km

    See also

    Notes

    {{reflist|group=Note|refs=

    In a major network revision in 2012, these routes were taken out of the official network: {{cite web|title=Geel-blauw verdwijnt|url=http://www.groteroutepaden.be/nl/nieuws/1/40/geel-blauw-verdwijnt.html|website=groteroutepaden.be|accessdate=15 February 2017|language=Dutch|date=1 September 2012|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063751/http://www.groteroutepaden.be/nl/nieuws/1/40/geel-blauw-verdwijnt.html|url-status=dead}}

    In a major network revision between 2017 and 2021, these routes will be taken out of the official network: {{cite web|title= LF routes to undergo overhaul |url=http://www.holland-cycling.com/blog/274-lf-routes-to-be-overhauled|website=Holland-cycling.com|accessdate=16 February 2017|date=9 December 2016}}

    Named after Spiekelspade, a former hamlet in Hechtel-Eksel

    }}

    References

    {{Reflist|3}}