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The second section of the 'Pieterfietspad', from the heart of Doetinchem in the Achterhoek to the Pietersberg in Limburg near Maastricht, also follows the renowned Pieterpad wherever possible—the most famous long-distance walking route in the Netherlands. This 580-kilometer route takes you through all the highlights of the (Eastern) Dutch landscape. In this segment, you will explore the last castles of the Achterhoek, the scenic Gelderland river landscape, the North Limburg Maasheggen, and the beautiful hills of South Limburg. The Pieterfietspad is the official cycling variant of the popular Pieterpad. While the Pieterpad connects the most beautiful walking paths, the Pieterfietspad links together stunning cycling routes. So hop on your bike and explore the Netherlands on two wheels!
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.
The last leg of your journey 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. Pause 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. The route winds through beautiful old streets, but it’s definitely worth taking some time to explore on foot at the end of this cycling day. Before that, head to Pieterberg, a plateau nestled between the valleys of the Maas and Jeker. Here, a panoramic viewpoint marks the end of your “Pieterfietspad.”
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.
Price pp | € | |
Double room, breakfast | 870.00 | |
Single room, breakfast | 1,290.00 | |
Extra night double room, breakfast only | 80.00 | |
Rental bike | € | |
Child bike | 88.00 | |
Hybrid | 104.00 | |
E-bike | 224.00 | |
Extra services | € | |
Bike helmet | per piece | 10.00 |
Transfer (per person) | per piece | 0.00 |
SGR | per piece | 5.00 |
discount | per piece | -20.00 |
The hotels or B&Bs on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. A list of the hotels we work with appears below. If a certain accommodation is unable to confirm due to lack of availability, we will request a comparable alternative.
When selecting the accomodation, we try to take into account as much as possible a safe and closed bicycle shed. However, we cannot do this with all of them guarantee and this partly depends on the number of bicycles of other guests.
7 nights included
3/4 Star Hotels
Tourist tax included
Breakfast included
Set of Pieterfietspad maps and the use of the Guibo App for navigation and information
Possibility of renting bikes
7-days a week service-hotline
Luggage transport to your next hotel
Doetinchem
Free parking options Doetinchem
GPS-tracks available
ferry crossings are not included
Nearest Airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
The train from Schiphol to Doetinchem departs twice per hour. The travel time is approximately 2 hours. A one-way trip costs approximately € 25,- per person excluding a bike. You need to change trains once in Arnhem. (besides this connection there are 2 other connections per hour with changing trains in Utrecht and Arnhem)
For timetables and tickets, visit www.ns.nl. For bus details and how to reach the hotel, click here: www.9292.nl.