Who are we?
Meet the Team!
County Hike: Partner of S-cape
County Hike is a label of the S-cape travelgroup with offices in Italy/Spain/Greece/France and the UK. The mother company in The Netherlands is Fietsvakantiewinkel/Dutch-Biketours that has been for over 40 years your travel agency for individual cycling holidays and travel bookshop / web shop for all your cycling maps, cycling guides, bike bags and much more. A love for outdoor and an enormous enthusiasm for outdoortrips are deeply rooted in the genes of our organisation. So we had to start walking in The Netherlands as well.
- Specialist in individual cycling holidays since 1983
- Choice of many complete cycling holidays and now also walking
- Luggage transport included on trekking tours
- Cycling/Walking holidays for every level and travel group
- Personal approach thanks to our small team
Relax on a walking holiday with County Hike
CountyHike organizes hotel/B&B hiking holidays that offer both relaxing and sporty challenges, allowing you to fully enjoy the stunning nature and the most interesting and enjoyable sights of each region along the way. These are carefree vacations, as our team takes care of all the details for you.
The routes for our hiking holidays are carefully planned and follow peaceful country roads and beautiful trails. Your overnight stays in hotels/B&Bs are booked, and your luggage will be transported to your next destination while you enjoy your walk.
You can also find us at: www.wandel-vakanties.nl
The County Hike team
At our office in Elst, four expert staff members work to organise our walking tours. They ensure complete information and quick processing of your booking. The Pieterburen office takes care of logistics on site.
About us:
We started small in 1983 with a travel bookshop and travel agency, Fietsvakantiewinkel, and currently organise inn-to-inn cycling holidays with luggage transport in the Netherlands and Europe under the names Fietsrelax and Dutch Biketours. Our company is characterised by flexibility, efficiency and customer focus. This is reflected in quick, direct answers to all your questions and quick confirmation of your reservation. Our aim is to respond to questions and reservation requests within 24 hours.
Our prices are clear and transparent. The price stated is the price you pay. We do not charge booking, reservation, administration or other additional fees. Our routes follow the most beautiful sign-posted cycle paths in Groningen and you spend the night at excellent hotels and B&Bs. Many of our routes are cycling circuits, so you don't have to take the train or bus back at the end of your trip.
Frank Houtstra - Director
From my first round trip around the IJsselmeer on my newspaper delivery bike at the age of 14 with a good friend, I have been captivated by the outdoor vacation bug. Where cycling was not possible, hiking became a wonderful challenge. I went on several hut-to-hut treks in Austria. After my studies, in 1992, I was looking for a job. Coincidentally, there was a vacancy at the Bicycle Holiday Store at that time. That was my first job, and after a four-year break as a product manager for cycling trips at SNP, I still consider it my dream job. Together with our international partners, we offer the most beautiful hiking and cycling trips. Until recently, we only focused on cycling, but now the time has come to promote the Netherlands as a hiking destination. With a fantastic team around me, I look to the future with confidence!
Erik Andrea - OfficeManager
As an 11-year-old boy, I went cycling with my father from Deventer to our holiday home on the Lemelerberg. From that moment on, I was hooked on biking for life. Since having children, hiking shoes have also become part of the mix. Together with my family (and our dog), we love to embark on beautiful hikes, both in the Netherlands and during our vacations in Europe. We have years of experience organizing the finest cycling holidays in our country, so offering hiking trips feels like a natural next step for me. Together with our dedicated team, we have started developing the most wonderful hiking holidays along the Pieterpad, the most beautiful and varied hiking route in the Netherlands. Maybe we’ll run into each other on the trail!.
Annick Houtstra - Product Manager
After graduating from the hospitality management school, I began my career in the cruise industry, driven by my passion for travel. It didn't take long for me to realize that I particularly enjoyed the active (hiking) excursions. As a result, whenever I returned to the Netherlands, I always loved going for a hike. I have walked the Pieterpad and even completed the Nijmegen Four Days March once.
Following my experience on the cruise ships, I started working at the Bicycle Holiday Store, arranging wonderful cycling vacations for their clients. When they mentioned wanting to establish a hiking label, I immediately expressed my interest in getting involved.
Tine Hofmans - Most allround employe
After completing my tourism education, I went abroad to work for six months. After those amazing months, it was time to return to the Netherlands. The Bicycle Holiday Store, which I was already familiar with (having interned there in 2012), came my way. I immediately thought, I can’t let this opportunity pass me by. When it was announced that a hiking label was being established, I agreed right away and expressed my desire to get involved. I have hiked the Pieterpad, completed the Nijmegen Four Days March five times, and walked the Kennedy March (an 80 km hike) once. Personally, I love discovering nature on foot, and I enjoy doing this in my free time.
