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The Pieterpad is the Netherlands’ most famous long distance walking trail, stretching roughly 500km/311mi from the northern village of Pieterburen to Sint-Pietersberg near Maastricht in the south. It was created in the late 1970s by two Dutch friends, Toos Goorhuis-Tjalsma and Bertje Jens, who wanted to design a continuous walking route that would cross the entire country while avoiding busy roads. The first section opened in 1983, and the trail gradually expanded into a complete north to south journey linking quiet farmland, forests, heathlands, river valleys and historic villages. Today it is the Netherlands’ best known walking route, maintained by the Pieterpad Foundation and walked by thousands each year, offering a rewarding way to experience the country’s changing landscapes and local culture on foot.
Beginning in the historic fortress town of Coevorden, this section of the Pieterpad invites you to explore the varied landscapes of eastern Netherlands at a relaxed pace. You follow quiet trails through the river valley of the Overijsselse Vecht, across gentle hills and nature reserves such as the Sallandse Heuvelrug, and through the peaceful patchwork countryside of Twente. Along the way you pass characterful villages, restored historic houses, estates and castles, with time to wander through charming towns like Gramsbergen, Rheeze and Ommen. Each day brings a blend of nature, culture and Dutch rural heritage, making this a trip for walkers who enjoy discovering hidden corners of the countryside.
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Day 1
Arrive Coevorden
Make your way to Coevorden and check into your accommodation this afternoon. Coevorden is one of the oldest fortified towns in The Netherlands. Wander through its star-shaped layout, admire the old ramparts, and enjoy the calm of its leafy parks. The town’s medieval origins still shape its atmosphere today.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Follow the Vecht Valley through hidden villages to Hardenberg (4.5-5hrs)
Walking out of Coevorden and straight into the sweeping beauty of the Poort van Drenthe, marked by its striking stone artwork. As you leave Drenthe behind and enter Overijssel, the trail follows the peaceful valley of the Overijsselse Vecht, guiding you toward the storybook town of Gramsbergen with its lovingly restored houses and iconic Pieterpad statue. The path then leads through the quiet hamlet of Ane and into the atmospheric England Forest before you finish your day in the welcoming town of Hardenberg. Distance: 19km/11.8mi
Meals: B
Day 3
Enjoy riverside trails, forest paths and the timeless villages to Ommen (5-5.5hrs)
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
Day 4
Gain views from the undulating hills of the Overijssel to Hellendoorn (5hrs)
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 along 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
Day 5
Across the forested ridges of the Sallandse Heuvelrug to Holten (4hrs)
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
Day 6
Walk past grand estates and the Netherlands’ largest oak to Laren (3.5-4hrs)
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
Day 7
Walk through heathlands, via country estates and over canal crossings to Vorden (4hrs)
Your final walking day 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
Day 8
Trip concludes
Arrangements end after breakfast.
What's included
What's not included
Accommodation for 8 nights is in a combination of hotels & countryside B&B's. Rooms have ensuite facilities and some may also have a restaurant or bar.
The route follows a mix of well-formed walking trails, forest tracks and quiet country lanes as you move between river valleys, woodland reserves and pastoral farmland. You’ll walk alongside the meandering Vecht River, cross open fields and pass through protected nature areas such as the Rheezermaten, with occasional low hills in the Sallandse Heuvelrug offering modest elevation and wider views across the landscape. Overall, the terrain is mostly flat to gently undulating, with short ascents over sandy ridges and heathland.
GRADE 1 - daily walks are around 4 - 6 hours and between 12 and 24km/7.4 and 14.9mi. The trail is well defined and is typically flat, taking in the wide pan-flat plains of the north. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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