Doetinchem is a welcoming regional town in the Achterhoek, in the eastern Netherlands, and the starting point for the second section of the Pieterfietspad. Set along the Oude IJssel River, it has a compact center with shops, cafés and restaurants, making it a pleasant place to arrive a little early and settle in before your cycling journey begins. After check in at your hotel mid afternoon, take some time to explore Doetinchem’s center or relax at one of its cafés before the ride begins the following morning.

Meals:  B

Set out from Doetinchem and cycle through the wooded landscapes of Bergherbos, close to the German border. The route briefly crosses into Germany near the village of Elten before descending towards the Gelderse Poort, where the Rhine enters the Netherlands between low hills and spreads into a landscape of waterways and floodplains. Continue through the wetlands of Ossenwaard and the nature reserve of Revensweert, where the open river landscape provides good opportunities for birdwatching. Reaching the Rhine, board a bicycle ferry for the short crossing to Millingen aan de Rijn. From here, continue through the countryside around Leuth before turning towards the Waal and following the river landscape to Ooij, your overnight stop.

Meals:  B

Leave Ooij and continue south through a peaceful landscape of farmland, small villages and waterways. Today’s ride takes you deeper into the countryside towards Boxmeer, following quiet cycling routes through the eastern Netherlands. There is plenty of time to enjoy the journey at a relaxed pace, stopping in villages for a coffee or lunch along the way. As you approach Boxmeer, the landscape reflects the transition towards the Maas river region and the southern Netherlands. Settle into your accommodation on arrival and take time to explore this historic riverside town. Boxmeer is a historic town with a compact center that is easy to explore on foot after your ride. The town has long-standing religious and cultural traditions, reflected in its churches, chapels and historic buildings, while cafés and restaurants around the center provide an easy way to wind down at the end of the cycling day.

Meals:  B

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! After visiting the rose town of Lottum, a ferry will take you across to the other side of the Maas. Visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Genooi, the patron saint of nearby Venlo where you overnight. This evening stroll along the charming Maas Boulevard or through the historic city centre where a vibrant cafe culture exists.

Meals:  B

Begin by 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. 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, a historic town at the confluence of the Maas and Roer rivers. The town has an impressive cathedral, charming squares and waterfront setting, offering a relaxed yet atmospheric stop.

Meals:  B

Leaving Roermond, you follow the Roer Valley through a mix of riverside scenery and rural countryside. Along the way, you pass the village of Sint Odiliënberg, known for its distinctive church and elevated setting above the river. Continuing south, the route leads past Montfort, where the remains of a medieval castle sit within the landscape. Quiet roads and cycle paths guide you to Sittard, one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands, where historic buildings and former monasteries mark the end of your day.

Meals:  B

Your final ride 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. Stop 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. Head to Pieterberg, a plateau nestled between the valleys of the Maas and Jeker. Here, a panoramic viewpoint marks the end of your Pieterpad journey. Maastricht offers a charming mix of architecture, gastronomy and welcoming southern hospitality. A fitting end to your cycle.

Meals:  B

Arrangements end after breakfast.

Meals:  B