Bike Tour: Cycling The Pieterpad - Part 2 - 8 days

Welcome to Doetinchem, the starting point of the second part of the Pieter Cycling Route. If you arrive early, take the opportunity to relax at a terrace or explore the vibrant city center. In the evening, enjoy a cozy dinner in one of the local restaurants.

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. From here you can already see the German border, but after Leuth you turn off to the river Waal which leads you to today's final destination.

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.

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.

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.