Hardenberg, Rheeze, Hellendoorn, Nijverdal

Two friends, Toos and Bertje, conceived of and walked the Pieterpad between 1978 and 1983. A long-distance hiking trail (500 km) from Pieterburen in the north of the province of Groningen to Mount St Peter in the south of the province of Limburg in 26 stages that are easily accessible by public transport and where you can spend the night. The landscape along the way is extremely varied, but equally beautiful everywhere.

Where you can walk, you can also cycle, and we wouldn't be the Fietsnetwerk (Cycling Network) if we didn't map out a number of beautiful cycling tours for you inspired by the Pieterpad. We created 14 routes totalling almost 1300 km along all the Pieterpad locations. We made them circular routes so that you always return to your starting point. This is part 5 and leads from Ommen to Hardenberg.

Ommen is a charming town on the Overijsselse Vecht, known for its mills, historic buildings and lively centre. Visit the Ommen Regional Museum or cycle along the beautiful Het Laer Country Estate, where you will ride through wooded avenues and past an impressive country house. The area offers vast heathlands and winding paths along the river, perfect for hopping off and enjoying nature.

From Ommen, follow the river Overijsselse Vecht towards Hardenberg. This area was traditionally a peat reclamation area, which is still reflected in the landscape with its straight plots, canals and monumental farms. In Hardenberg itself you will find Museum Huize Nijenstede, an old country house from 1853 with an attractive park. You should also visit the National Pewter Figure Museum with its collection of more than 200,000 pewter figures, or cycle past the town's three windmills.

A varied route past water, nature and history, ideal for exploring by bike!