Bike Tour: Cycling The Pieterpad - 13 days

Welcome to Pieterburen – Starting Point of the Pieterfietspad!Have you arrived on time? Perfect! Take the opportunity to relax at the village terrace or hop on your bike to explore the sea dyke. Enjoy breathtaking views of the ever-changing Wadden Sea. In the evening have dinner in the village. Savor local cuisine and unwind in a cozy atmosphere.

Your journey starts with a ride to the sea dyke. As you gaze over the Wadden Sea, you’ll spot various islands in the distance. From there, head south through the charming areas of Kleine Huisjes and Broek. You’ll find yourself in the Groninger Wierdenland, crisscrossed by numerous maren. Surrounding you is a vast, flat landscape dotted with beautiful villages like Eenrum and Winsum, perched on small hills (called wierden). The route leads you along the river beds of the Reitdiep, the oldest cultural landscape in Western Europe, bringing you to the historic city center of Groningen. Here, you can admire stunning monuments and enjoy the vibrant urban atmosphere. Take plenty of time to soak in the lively spirit of this student city before settling down by the Hoornsemeer for the night.

Starting in the city, you’ll follow the banks of the Drentsche Aa, which will reappear throughout your journey, serving as your winding, watery guide. Enjoy the beautiful landscape around the Paterswoldsemeer and on the Hondsrug, a 20-meter-high "megaflute" that offers stunning views over the valley. After Noordlaren, you’ll truly be in Drenthe. The well-known and tourist-friendly Zuidlaren invites you to relax at one of its charming terraces. Be sure to grab a ‘Zuidlaarder Bol’ along the way! The picturesque es village of Zeegse is part of the National Beek and Esdorp Landscape of the Drentsche Aa. The route continues through the “velden,” including the peaceful and expansive Ballooërveld. These rugged lands feature small ponds, heathlands, and forests, providing a unique natural experience. After Balloo, we’ll take a short detour from the route for an overnight stay in the capital of Drenthe, Assen.

After passing through Rolde, the former main village of Drenthe, you’ll encounter two impressive hunebedden. The Rolderrug, standing over 20 meters tall, takes you through the so-called "Heart of Drenthe," a stunning 5000-hectare wilderness filled with forests. Following “De Kielse Keien,” you can take a detour to the Schoonoord Open-Air Museum of Ellert and Brammert. Here, you can immerse yourself in the region's history and culture. The journey continues through Sleenerzand, where you’ll search for “De Papeloze Kerk” and “De Galgenberg.” After the characteristic village of Den Hool, make a quick stop at the “Driftplein” near Dalen, home to the northernmost artwork of the “Kunstwegen” route. It’s now just a short distance to the goose city of Coevorden.

Once you're on your way, you'll pass by several installations from the "Kunstwegen" route, the longest avenue of contemporary visual art in Western Europe. Cycling along narrow paths, you’ll journey through the valley of the winding Overijsselse Vecht, the smallest of our major rivers. Enjoy the swaying reeds, majestic beech avenues, and the gently rolling meadows surrounded by hedgerows, where red farmhouse roofs peek out. You’ll travel through the charming es village of Rheeze, known for its authentic brink. It’s time for a coffee break and a farewell glance over the Vecht as you reach the cozy town of Ommen. Beyond the lovely Huize Het Laer, the landscape changes dramatically. Now, prepare for the "climb of the week" over the Archemer and Lemelerberg, which together rise 78 meters in the otherwise flat terrain. Enjoy the views and the diverse scenery of sandy plains, heath, juniper bushes, and forests. Just a flat stretch left, and then you’ll head over the Hellendoornse Berg to your destination, the "Ice Village" Hellendoorn.

Start with a gentle climb and descent into the vibrant textile town of Nijverdal. Then, cycle through Europe’s largest dry heathland: the Sallandse Heuvelrug, home to unique birds such as the redstart, nightjar, and the iconic black grouse. Enjoy cycling along the rolling, winding paths that offer beautiful views. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the nature museum on the Holterberg, featuring its unique dioramas. After Holten, you’ll enter the feudal Graafschap: a historic, wooded landscape shaped by nobility in past centuries. Near the charming 18th-century Huis Verwolde, complete with a delightful tea garden, you can seek out the "thick tree," a 450-year-old oak. As you pass the Twentekanaal and the Berkel River, take a moment to admire Huize Enzerinck before cycling into the picturesque 8-castle village of Vorden.

Begin your day with a beautiful cycling path leading to Castle Vorden, an impressive medieval structure featuring a charming tea garden. Continue your journey through the characteristic landscape of hedgerows, tree-lined lanes, small fields, and meadows. Enjoy views of the 18th-century Huis de Kiefskamp in Louis XVI style and Huis 't Zelle, known for its unique 18th-century avenue system. After passing through Zelhem, home to the archaeological museum Smedekinck, the hilly landscape of Montferland rises in the distance, with the cozy village of Zeddam at its foot. Enjoy your day in this captivating environment!

Begin your journey cycling through the high Bergherbos, then descend after the charming German village of Elten to the Gelderse Poort, a remarkable location where the Rhine has carved its way through the hills. Navigate through the water-rich Ossenwaard and the newly developed, bird-rich nature reserve of Revensweert, leading you to the broad river. A bicycle ferry will take you across to Millingen aan de Rijn. Continue your ride through the rugged terrain of Millingerwaard and the picturesque Ooyse Polder, with its lush meadows, dikes, and winding waterways. In the distance, the contours of the Nijmeegse Stuwal emerge, inviting you to climb and descend the "seven hills" to reach Groesbeek. Here, the Canadian War Cemetery, the Liberation Museum, and a replica of an Allied glider at Klein Amerika serve as poignant reminders of the final bloody days of World War II. Cycling through the beautiful Zevendal, you’ll descend into the Maas Valley, where just before the lively town of Gennep, you’ll encounter the ruins of the historic Genneperhuis, a former fortress located at the mouth of the Niers River into the Maas. It’s not far now to Boxmeer.

Start your journey with a delightful bike ride through the Maasheggen region, the oldest cultural landscape in the Netherlands. Here, you’ll find a mosaic of meadows, ancient trees, and hedgerows, where the mayflower and blackthorn bloom abundantly in spring. Continue your ride past picturesque farming villages and through the forests of Landgoed Geijsteren, home to the secluded Willibrordus Chapel, a beloved pilgrimage site since the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll also come across the pilgrimage town of Tienray, featuring a replica of the Lourdes grotto. Yes, you have truly arrived in the Catholic south! After visiting the rose town of Lottum, a ferry will take you across to the other side of the Maas. Here, be sure to visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Genooi, the patron saint of nearby Venlo. This historic Hanseatic city, situated at the transition from lowland to hilly terrain, is your destination for the day. Make sure to set aside time for a stroll along the charming Maas Boulevard or through the historic city center.

Begin todays journey cycling over the Jammerdaalse Heide (“whining heath”), which is said to be named after the lamentations of Caesar's soldiers, who were defeated here by Ambiorix. The ancient clay pits with their steep banks create an eldorado for the rare natterjack toad and the sand martin. The tale of the mad “Moandaagvierder" makes it clear that "you are indeed in Limburg", province of stories. Next, you'll ride along the Prinsendijk, which not only serves as a geological boundary but was also once part of an ancient Roman military road and, in 1944, the German Maas-Roersstellung. After exploring the nature surrounding the meandering Swalm River, you'll reach the impressive Hillenraad Castle. A lovely, winding bike path takes you over the Melickerheide, part of the terrace landscape of National Park de Meinweg, featuring dry dunes and marshy wetlands. The day ends in Roermond, known to many for the Designer Outlet, but it has more to offer than that.

Ride back from Roermond along the scenic Roerdal to the Pieterfietspad. Take in the beautiful architectural details of the Church of Sint Odiliënberg and the gardens of the nearby Castle Ter Borch. The castle offers stunning views of the surrounding nature. Near the winding Roer, you’ll pass the higher-placed Basilica of St. Wiro, Plechelmus, and Otgerus. Your destination is the old monasteries in the center of Sittard, but don’t forget to stop at the impressive medieval castle ruins of Montfort.

The last leg of your journey takes you through the rolling green hills of Limburg, featuring fast-flowing streams, marl caves, limestone houses, and quaint chapels or crosses scattered throughout. The day begins with the challenge of climbing Kollenberg, the northernmost foothill of the Ardennes. A steep ascent with seven “footfalls” leads you to the highest point, where you’ll find the 17th-century Sint Rosakapelle. Pause at Castle Gerlach to admire the sculpture garden and enjoy a coffee at Burgemeester Quicx in the monastery courtyard. Between Rothem and Geulhem, you’ll cycle along the edge of the charming Geuldal. Ride along the brand-new “Groene Loper,” flanked by over two thousand linden trees, into the heart of Maastricht, home to more than 1,650 monuments. The route winds through beautiful old streets, but it’s definitely worth taking some time to explore on foot at the end of this cycling day. Before that, head to Pieterberg, a plateau nestled between the valleys of the Maas and Jeker. Here, a panoramic viewpoint marks the end of your “Pieterfietspad.”

After Breakfast, Your cycling journey comes to an end. We hope you’ve enjoyed every moment of your cycling adventure and created lasting memories along the way.