Nijverdal, Holten, Laren

Two friends, Toos and Bertje devised and walked the Pieterpad between 1978 and 1983. A long-distance walking route (500 km) from Pieterburen in northern Groningen to Sint-Pietersberg in southern Limburg in 26 stages that are easily accessible by public transport and where you can stay overnight. The scenery along the way is hugely varied, but equally beautiful everywhere.

Where you can walk, you can also cycle, and we wouldn't be Fietsnetwerk if we didn't set out some great cycling tours for you inspired by the Pieterpad. We made 14 routes totalling almost 1,300 km along all the places on the Pieterpad. We did make circles of them so that you always return to your starting point. This is section 6 and leads from Nijverdal to Laren.

Nijverdal is on the border of the Sallandse Heuvelrug. At the visitor centre, you can learn all about the origins and future of this beautiful nature reserve.

The village of Holten had its own castle in the fourteenth century: De Waerdenborgh. Its foundations can still be found, but the castle itself was demolished in the sixteenth century. Holten is also home to Natuurmuseum Holterberg, where you can learn all about the environment with faithfully-prepared birds and mammals in their natural habitat.

Laren is known for its country houses and castles. Huis Verwolde is now a museum, with the Dikke Boom on the estate. This is the thickest oak tree in the Netherlands with a trunk circumference of 7.5 metres.

Do you also enjoy the Pieterpad routes so much? There are many more parts to discover.