The Full Pieterpad Camino Trail

Make your way to Baflo station where you will be picked up and transferred to the small village of Pieterburen. Settle into your accommodation and, if you arrive early, stretch your legs on an optional 10km/6.2mi loop towards the Wadden Sea dike. It’s a gentle introduction to the open landscapes that define this northern region.

After taking a few photos at the historic Pieterpad starting point in Pieterburen, you set off on your first steps along the Netherlands’ most famous long distance trail. Quiet country lanes and grassy farm tracks lead you through the wide open landscapes of the Groningen countryside, where traditional windmills punctuate the horizon and small villages seem unchanged by time. Passing through the historic mound village of Eenrum, you ease into the rhythm of the walk before continuing across peaceful farmland to Winsum, a canal lined village frequently voted one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands. Distance: 12km/7.5mi

Today’s route takes you through the Hogeland countryside with its canals, meadows and red-brick farmhouses. Cross narrow bridges, wander past tiny churches perched on mounds and follow waterside paths into the city of Groningen. Groningen is known for its historic architecture and relaxed canalside atmosphere. Despite its compact size, it has a vibrant café culture, excellent museums and a striking mix of old and new, from the medieval Martinitoren tower to the bold, modern Groninger Museum. With its pedestrian-friendly streets and welcoming feel, it’s an enjoyable place to explore. Distance:23km/14.3mi

Leaving the city behind, the landscape gradually becomes greener and more wooded. You’ll walk through parklands and along quiet rural paths as the terrain gently transitions from clay to sand. Zuidlaren is a pleasant Drenthe village with a relaxed rural feel. Distance: 21km/13mi

The scenery now shifts into the forests and heathlands of Drenthe. You’ll explore sections of the Drentsche Aa National Park, walking on sandy tracks through woodland and open heath. Along the way, keep an eye out for ancient dolmens and burial mounds that reflect the region’s long history. Distance: 18km/11mi

Continue through peaceful woodland and quiet countryside within the UNESCO Geopark Hondsrug. It is home to the Netherlands’ largest concentration of prehistoric dolmens, ancient burial mounds and traditional Saxon villages, making it a fascinating place where geology, archaeology and nature come together. The walking remains mostly gentle, with subtle undulations. Distance:18km/11mi

A longer but rewarding day, following forest tracks, heathland paths and open farmland. Traditional Saxon farmhouses dot the landscape, and the sense of space returns as you approach the charming village of Sleen. The village is home to a distinctive 15th-century church, historic Saxon farmhouses and welcoming cafés. Distance: 24km/15mi

Todays stage takes you through quiet rural scenery towards the historic town of Coevorden, a small town close to the German border. Once an important fortified stronghold, it is known for its well-preserved star-shaped fortress layout and central castle, which still anchors the town today. Distance: 21km/13mi

Leaving Coevorden, you soon enter the wide open landscapes of the Poort van Drenthe, marked by its distinctive stone artwork that symbolically marks the gateway to the province. As you continue, the scenery transitions gently from the heathlands and farmland of Drenthe into the peaceful countryside of Overijssel. The trail follows the tranquil valley of the Overijsselse Vecht, a river that winds through quiet fields and natural floodplains. You soon reach the charming town of Gramsbergen, known for its beautifully restored historic houses and the iconic Pieterpad statue, a tribute to this trail. From here the path continues through the small hamlet of Ane before leading into the atmospheric England Forest, where shaded woodland trails provide a peaceful final stretch. The day concludes in the friendly town of Hardenberg, a lively riverside town with cafés and terraces perfect for relaxing after your walk. Distance: 19 km / 11.8 mi

Your day begins along the small River Molengoot, the former course of the river Vecht, before you enter the Rheezermaten nature reserve. Soon you reach the enchanting village of Rheeze, a protected medieval gem. From here, the trail leads you through the quiet forests near Hardenberg and along the banks of the Vecht and Beneden-Regge rivers. Crossing the elegant Junne estate, you finish today in the historic town of Ommen. Distance: 21km/13mi

The path continues through the Vecht and Beneden-Regge basins, a hilly part of Overijssel. This is evident from the Ommerland watchtower at the top the Besthemerberg (34m/112ft). Climb the tower and enjoy the beautiful view over the Vecht valley. Other Dutch 'mountains' on the route include the Archemerberg (78m/256 ft) and the adjacent Lemelerberg (43m/144ft). In this undulating landscape, pass the 'Fat Stone' boulder and walk alongside the juniper bushes on the Lemelerberg. Admire the monumental 'Lion' in Park 1813 before reaching Hellendoorn via the wooded Eelerberg estate. Distance: 20km/12.4mi

Today’s route leads you across the sweeping Sallandse Heuvelrug, a beautiful ridge of gentle forested hills and open heath stretching between Ommen and Holten. You climb over the Hellendoornse Berg and continue toward ’t Ravijn, where the striking ‘Stardust’ artwork recalls the area’s brief gold-rush past. A little further on, take a moment at the Twilhaar forced-labour camp memorial. The trail then rewards you with wide panoramas from the Haarlerberg and Holterberg before guiding you through the Noetselenberg estate and down into the village of Holten. Distance: 16km/9.9mi

Leaving Holten behind, you wander through the quiet hamlet of Beuseberg on the edge of the Overijssel moraine, before following a beech-lined lane beside Schipbeek brook. After crossing the brook, the landscape opens into the Achterhoek, a region known for its traditional farms and countryside. A highlight of the day is the elegant Verwolde manor with its charming tea garden—and the famous Dikke Boom, the largest oak tree in the Netherlands. As you continue toward Laren, the route leads you past De Binnenhof, an 18th-century rectory later transformed into a stately 19th-century villa, adding a final touch of heritage to this stage. Distance: 15km/9.3mi

The trail today takes you through the peaceful hamlet of Groot Dochteren, where scattered farms dot the quiet countryside. You’ll cross the Twente Canal and the Berkel River before reaching the Velthorst estate, home to a wonderful viewpoint overlooking the Kienveen landscape. The trail then leads you across wide heathlands edged with conifer forests planted in the early 20th century. Soon you arrive at the elegant neoclassical manor Het Enzerinck, a highlight built in 1826. If you still have some energy when you reach Vorden, the beautiful Hanseatic city of Zutphen is just a short nine-minute train ride away, well worth the detour. Distance: 16km/9.9mi

Your walk begins just outside Vorden, passing the impressive local castle before crossing the Vorden brook. Along the route you join part of the famous Pieterpad trail and pass a monument dedicated to the trail’s female creators. The walk continues through the varied landscapes of the Kieftskamp estate and the small village of Linde. You then head toward the historic estate of ’t Zelle before reaching Zelhem, walking through the forested area of ’t Zand, once known for its shifting sand dunes. Distance: 18km/11.2mi

Today’s walk leads through the peaceful countryside of the Heidenhoek. Along the way you’ll see the distinctive Silo Tower, sometimes called the “Cathedral”. Continue to the historic Slangenburg Castle, dating back to the 14th century. The route then crosses the Oude IJssel river, once important for the region’s iron industry, before continuing through rural landscapes to the village of Braamt, recognised by its traditional windmill. Distance: 18km/11.2mi

This stage takes you into the Montferland region near the German border, an area known for its forested hills and wide views. Walk through the Bergher Forest and climb Hulzenberg (83m/272 ft), where an observation tower offers sweeping views across the landscape. The route continues through Hoch-Elten before entering the wetlands of the Gelderse Poort nature area. Your day ends in Tolkamer, where you take a ferry across the Waal River to reach Millingen aan de Rijn. Distance: 24km/14.9mi

Begin the day walking through the flat floodplain landscape known as the Duffelt. Near the village of Leuth you pass Plezenburg, a historic terp farm dating from 1810. The route then gradually climbs the wooded hills of the Nijmegen moraine, including Duivelsberg (76m/249ft). At the summit you’ll find remains of the medieval Mergelp castle and enjoy views across the Ooypolder floodplains before continuing through rolling countryside to the wine village of Groesbeek. Distance: 21km/13mi

Today’s walk takes you through Groesbeek Forest as you cross from the province of Gelderland into Limburg. Continue through the scenic Sint Jansberg nature reserve, following winding trails past lakes, ponds and hedged fields. Near the town of Gennep you reach the historic site of Genneperhuis, once a strategically important fortress where the Niers and Maas rivers meet. Spend the evening exploring Gennep’s historic centre and market square. Distance: 15km/9.3mi

Leaving Gennep, the trail follows the dike along the Niers River, leading you toward the forests near Heijen. Soon the route enters Maasduinen National Park, a distinctive landscape of river dunes formed over thousands of years by the shifting forces of wind and water. As you walk through this natural area, you pass a series of reflective ponds and heathland lakes, including the tranquil Quin, which adds to the park’s peaceful atmosphere. The trail then brings you to the village of Afferden, where you cross the Maas River by ferry, offering lovely views across one of the Netherlands’ great rivers. On the opposite bank, a final stretch through the gentle Groeningen hills leads you to Vierlingsbeek in the province of North Brabant. This small riverside village has long been an important crossing point along the Maas. Distance: 20km/12.4mi

Leaving Vierlingsbeek, the trail soon reaches the 15th-century ruins of Makken Castle before continuing to the pilgrimage village of Smakt. You walk through the drifting sands of the Boschhuizer Bergen and across the scenic Geysteren estate, passing the Rosmolen watermill, St Willibrordus Chapel and the historic 17th century castle farm known as ‘t Kasteelke. The day finishes in the quiet church village of Swolgen, where you are picked up and transferred to Venlo where you stay for two nights. Distance: 25km/15.5mi

Your accommodation in Venlo will transfer you back to Swolgen. Just outside Swolgen, enter the Schuitwater nature reserve, located on an old Maas meander. The forests here are accessible via wooden boardwalks. Pass the Houthuizer chapel and 'Huys Kaldenbroek', a 15th-century castle farm. Just before the village of Grubbenvorst, pass the Ursuline Convent, and take the ferry across the Maas. On the other side, enjoy a pleasant walk through the beautiful floodplains of the 'Océ-Weerd'. Finally, arrive in Venlo, where you should visit the monument-rich St. Martinus street and the 16th-century town hall. Distance: 21km/13.04mi

Departing Venlo, you walk across the open heathlands of Jammerdaal, a landscape shaped by former clay and sand quarries, before continuing through the quiet borderland forests of Holtmühle. Along the Prinsendijk, remnants of WWII bunkers appear beside the trail before the route enters the peaceful wetlands of Meerlebroek. Following the winding Swalm River, the day ends in the lively village of Swalmen Distance: 23km/14.2mi

Early on the walk today you pass Hillenraedt, an elegant 14th-century moated castle surrounded by water and parkland. The route then leads through the peaceful count’s forests, following sections of an old Roman road toward the historic castle farm Zuidewijk Spick, once part of a noble estate. Continuing through countryside, you arrive in Melick, a traditional church village set in the green valley of the Roer River. After crossing the river, the trail brings you to the picturesque village of St. Odiliënberg, known for its impressive basilica rising above the surrounding landscape. The final stretch passes through the Sweeltje, a small nature reserve of drifting sands and heath. Your day ends in Montfort, where, if you still have energy, you can explore the evocative ruins of Montfort Castle, complete with an information centre, underground cellars and a restored castle garden. Distance: 23km/14.2mi

From Montfort you walk through open farmland to the viewpoint at Duvelskei overlooking the fields of Grootbroek. An optional detour leads to the Cistercian Abbey of Lilbosch before the trail continues past the Roman-era site of the Treasure of Pey. After a short stretch through Germany’s Iron Forest you re-enter the Netherlands at its narrowest point and finish in Sittard, one of the oldest towns in southern Netherlands where churches, cloisters and a charming historic centre await. Be sure to try the local Limburg pies. Distance: 24km/14.9mi

The trail climbs the wooded slopes of Kollenberg, where a series of seven hillside chapels leads to the small St Rosa chapel overlooking Sittard. From the village of Puth you follow the Geleen brook past Terborgh Castle and through a narrow ‘grubbe’ valley beside the Diependal geological monument. Passing traditional Limburg farmsteads and the towering “Giant of Schimmert” water tower, the route reaches the highest point of the Pieterpad before descending through Raven forest to the quiet hamlet of Strabeek. Distance: 22km/13.7mi

Your final walk follows trails through the nature reserves of Ingendael and the heathlands of Bergen along the Geul River before reaching the former marl quarry of Blom, now reclaimed by nature. The path then descends through the narrow Bemelergrubbe valley, passing small marl caves, before continuing into the historic streets of Maastricht. From the city centre, a final climb leads to Fort St Pieter atop St Pietersberg, where sweeping views mark the rewarding end of the Pieterpad. Return to the city for your overnight accommodation. Maastricht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands is known for its rich history, vibrant culture and relaxed café atmosphere. As you wander through its cobbled streets and lively squares, you’ll discover medieval churches, historic city walls and elegant buildings that reflect the city’s long Roman and trading heritage. Visit the Boekhandel Dominicanen a famous bookstore located in a converted 13th-century Dominican church. With its blend of Dutch and Belgian influences, Maastricht offers a charming mix of architecture, gastronomy and welcoming southern hospitality. A fitting end to this epic walk. Distance: 17km/10.6mi

Arrangements end after breakfast.