Pieterpad

The Pieterpad is a long-distance walking route in the Netherlands that runs from Pieterburen in Groningen to Maastricht in Limburg, a distance of about 498 kilometers (309 miles). It is the country’s best-known long-distance footpath and is widely used for multi-day treks as well as shorter walking trips.

The route traverses five provinces: Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Gelderland, and Limburg. Along its course, walkers encounter diverse landscapes, including coastal dunes, heath and forest areas, river valleys, farmland, and historic towns and villages. The path is designed to be walked in stages, with practical options for lodging, meals, and rest breaks in the towns and villages it passes through.

Organization and maintenance are handled by Dutch walking organizations and regional tourism partners. The Pieterpad is marked along its length with waymarkers to guide hikers, and the route is supported by guidebooks, maps, and online resources. It is commonly divided into ten to fourteen stages, depending on daily distance, terrain, and the walker’s pace. Typical daily distances range from about 20 to 25 kilometers, allowing most hikers to complete the route in roughly six to eight weeks, though faster or shorter itineraries are possible with longer daily segments.

Practical considerations include planning for accommodations such as bed-and-breakfasts, guesthouses, farm stays, and hotels, with campsites available in some areas. Peak season accommodations can fill quickly, so advance planning is advisable. The best hiking conditions are generally in late spring through early autumn, though weather in the Netherlands can be changeable year-round. The Pieterpad remains a popular choice for national and international hikers seeking a comprehensive cross-section of Dutch landscapes and towns.