Bike Tour: Cycling The Pieterpad - Part 1 - 8 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.

The day begins with a beautiful cycling path leading to Vorden Castle, an impressive medieval structure with a charming tea garden. Continue through the characteristic landscape of the area, featuring hedgerows, tree-lined avenues, small fields, and meadows, all separated by rustic woodbanks. Admire the 18th-century Huis de Kiefskamp, designed in Louis XVI style, as well as Huis 't Zelle, known for its unique 18th-century avenue system. After passing through Zelhem, home to the archaeological museum Smedekinck, the hilly Montferland will soon rise in the distance. Just before reaching it, you’ll divert to the cozy "Center of the Achterhoek," Doetinchem.

After breakfast, your bike tour comes to an end. We wish you safe travels and look forward to welcoming you again for Part 2!