The Pieterpad - Pieterburen to Rolde 6 days

After breakfast, you'll begin the first leg of the Pieterpad trail. Starting at the Pieterpad wall, take a photo and set off! Along the way, you'll pass through the charming Wierden village of Eenrum with its late Romanesque church dating back to the 13th century. Enjoy the wide, sometimes windy, Grunneger Land landscape during this leg. In the village of Mensingeweer, you can admire the Hollands Welvaart, a beautiful windmill built in 1855. Finally, you'll reach your first destination, Winsum, which was deservedly voted the most beautiful village in the Netherlands in 2020.

Overnight stay: Winsum

After spending the night in the charming village of Winsum, the trail leads through the Hogeland region with its meadows, grain fields, and overcast skies. Garnwerd is a perfect spot for a relaxing cup of coffee or tea by the Reitdiep canal. The route continues through the polder landscape, over narrow bridges and past sun-baked farmhouses. In Oostum, a village church perched on a hilltop (wierde) provides the perfect place for a short break. Hike along numerous small waterside paths towards Groningen. Along the way, you'll pass landmarks such as the Noorderplantsoen (Northern Plantation), the picturesque Noorderhaven (Northern Harbor), the A-Church, and the modern Groninger Museum.

Accommodation location: Groningen

This day begins at Groningen's monumental train station. Just outside the hustle and bustle of the city, you reach Lake Hoornse and Lake Paterswoldse and enter the Drentsche Aa National Park. You pass the village of Haren and, near Glimmen, walk through the Appèlbergen hills and later through the Noordlaarderbos forest. Shortly after the forest, you'll see your first Hunebed (a type of volcanic grove). Yes, you're in Drenthe! And it certainly won't be the last, as there's another one near Midlaren, just before Zuidlaren, your destination for today.

Accommodation location: Zuidlaren

From Zuidlaren, after breakfast, the route leads to Westlaren. From there, it continues through the Schipborg estate to the Gasterse Dunes. Besides the high sand dunes, you'll also find the Hunebed D10, which is no longer completely intact due to the theft of stones in the past. In the village of Gasteren, you can admire the beautiful, characteristic Saxon farmhouses. Part of this stage leads across the Hondsrug, which was designated a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015.

Overnight accommodation: Rolde

The journey ends in Rolde and you can either depart after breakfast or extend the first part of the Pieterpad and continue hiking, for example to Ommen.

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