
Where is the Houtribdijk Causeway?
Netherlands, europe
27.6 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
Cruising through North Holland? You HAVE to check out the Houtribdijk, a massive causeway built back in the day (1963-1975). Also called the Markerwaarddijk, this thing cuts right through the IJsselmeer and Markermeer, two huge lakes smack-dab in the middle of the Netherlands. Basically, it's a long, straight shot—all 27.6 km (17+ miles) of it—connecting Enkhuizen (near West Friesland) to Lelystad.
Picture this: you're cruising on the N307, part of a major water management project, doing maybe 100 km/h with about 8,500 other vehicles, and there's water as far as the eye can see. Yep, you can totally lose sight of land out here!
But it's SO worth the drive. The views of both lakes are incredible. Plus, they've made a bunch of cool spots along the dike for chilling out, watching birds, or even hitting the water. And halfway across? Trintelhaven, a sweet rest stop with a restaurant and radio station! Cyclists love it too, with a path running the whole length. Trust me, if you're nearby, you've gotta experience this unique road trip.
Road Details
- Country
- Netherlands
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 27.6 km
- Difficulty
- easy
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