The Pieterpad - Ommen to Vorden 6 days

The Pieterpad trail continues through the Vecht and Beneden-Regge river basins, a hilly part of Overijssel. This is clearly visible from the Ommerlander observation tower on Besthemerberg hill. Climb the tower and enjoy the beautiful view over the Vecht valley! Other "hills" along the way include Archemerberg (78 m) and then Lemelerberg (44 m). In this undulating landscape, you'll pass the glacial erratic "de Dikke Steen" and hike along Lemelerberg hill past beautiful juniper bushes. Admire the monumental "Leeuw" (Lee) in Park 1813 and finally reach the village of Hellendoorn via the wooded Eelerberg estate.

Accommodation location: Hellendoorn

Today you'll cross the Sallandse Heuvelrug, a moraine ridge stretching from Ommen to Holtener. This is Overijssel at its highest point, with hills covered in forests and heathland. Crossing the Hellendoornse Berg, you'll head towards 't Ravijn', a village created by the construction of the Zwolle-Almelo railway line. Here, take a look at the artwork "Sterrenstof," erected after a brief gold rush in the past. Also, pause briefly at the poignant memorial commemorating the Twilhaar Reich Labor Camp. Enjoy magnificent panoramic views from Haarlerberg and Holterberg, and finally, via the Noetselenberg estate, you'll reach Holten.

Overnight stay: Holten

You leave Holten via the village of Beuseberg, nestled at the foot of the Overijssel hills. Following a stately hornbeam avenue near the Schipbeek stream, you cross the water and enter the Geldern Achterhoek region! You arrive at Vellerweg, an authentic "farm road" lined with farmhouses typical of this area. Be sure to visit the beautiful Verwolde Manor with its charming tea garden. On this property, you'll also find the "Thick Oak," the largest oak tree in the Netherlands. Continuing along the trail, before reaching Laren, you'll pass Binnenhof, an 18th-century rectory that was transformed into a beautiful villa in the 19th century.

Accommodation location: Laren

This day's hike begins in Groot Dochteren, a unique village with scattered farmsteads. You'll cross the Twente Canal and the Berkel River on your way to the Velthorst Estate, which offers a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the Kienveen forest. The route then leads through "Het Grote Veld," once an extensive heathland where coniferous forests were planted after 1920. You'll then reach the stately Huize Het Enzerinck, built in 1826 in the neoclassical style. If you arrive in Vorden and still have some time and energy, a visit to the nearby Hanseatic city of Zutphen might be a good idea; it's just a 9-minute train ride away.

Overnight accommodation: Vorden

The journey ends in Vorden and you can either depart after breakfast or extend your hike along the Pieterpad trail, for example to Groesbeek.

Additional nights in Vorden are possible; prices and availability upon request.