Pieterpad

Each stage’s starting and ending points are easily accessible and offer flexibility in terms of distance and difficulty. Many people hike the path over multiple weekends or holidays, completing the trail in stages, while others take on the challenge of tackling the path in one continuous journey. The trail is marked in both directions; however, the official route begins in the small village of Pieterburen and heads south.

In Pieterburen, you can begin with a 10-kilometer circular prologue hike to the Waddenzee, if you like. Once back, the trail starts and goes via the most beautiful village of the Netherlands towards Groningen. This vibrant city really is worth a visit! The trail then leads further into the tranquil landscapes of the first National Park ‘De Drentsche Aa,’ with a lot of prehistoric hunebeds (stone burial monuments) along the way. Very quickly you will find yourself in the middle of the heather, and if lucky, the purple flowers will be in bloom and smell like honey.

As you head further south, you’ll walk through the forest, which is – in the North of the Netherlands – man-made, and consequently the paths are straight ahead and long. No need to worry, the National Park ‘Sallandse Heuvelrug’ soon will offer variety and the first real elevation meters when you climb the Archemerberg hill. What a view!

Soon you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful castles instead of hunebeds, which means that you’ve arrived in the famous region of Achterhoek. This is a very quiet region in the Netherlands, a peaceful contrast to the big city life in the west of the country.

Enjoy this lovely countryside before arriving in the ‘land of the big rivers.’ In the region of Nijmegen, the elevation gains become more pronounced, thanks to the river valleys. First, you will have to cross the Rhine with a small ferryboat and later also the river Maas. After this, you will find yourself already in the province of Limburg.

The last part of the trail leads you to the national park ‘Maasduinen’ and even into Germany as the trail is very close to the border. Eventually arriving in the big and vibrant city of Maastricht, where you might be overwhelmed when the red-and-white markers point your way through the most touristic little streets of this city.

Fortunately, you will find back your peace very quickly when you arrive at Fort Sint-Pieter and finish the trail on the Sint Pietersberg hill. The amazing scenery of the quarry will make you want to continue immediately on the famous GR5 trail that can be started from this point.

It is possible to hike the Pieterpad all year round, but the most comfortable weather conditions are typically from spring to early autumn, between May and October. This is an especially good window if you’re camping along the way and you don’t like cold nights, which are more common outside this period. Because rainy days can always occur in the Netherlands, a good raincoat can make all the difference. I walked the Pieterpad in August and experienced mostly dry days, though there were a few severe thunderstorms at night. Also keep in mind that during the summer months, this trail can be quite busy, as it’s a popular destination for hikers.

High-quality boots and socks are essential to prevent blisters and ensure comfort on long stretches. Both high and low hiking boots are possible to wear on the Pieterpad, the choice should be based on your preference. Many hikers, myself included, have come to appreciate hikers’ wool; this natural product of sheep has a healing effect on the skin and prevents blisters. When walking in the forest, the mosquitoes can be particularly aggressive, so bringing mosquito spray or DEET is also highly recommended.

A raincoat is a must, as the weather in the Netherlands can be unpredictable, with rain possible year-round. Although the trail is mostly flat, I used hiking poles to have more balance and rhythm. Especially when carrying a fully equipped backpack, this is a nice extra for support. Many other Pieterpad hikers recommended this as well.

Make sure to carry a GPS device or at least have the GPX file of the trail downloaded. However, a lot of hikers on the Pieterpad like to go back to basics and navigate only with the guidebooks.