Pieterpad: Stage 3, Vorden to to Vierlingsbeek

After arriving at your accommodation, you can still visit Vorden Castle. There is also the option to take a train to the center of Zutphen, which is definitely worth it!

Just outside Vorden lies the beautiful castle. Beyond that, across the Vorden brook, you are halfway along the Pieterpad and find the monument of the two female path's designers. Continue through the varied landscape of the Kieftskamp estate and head through the small village of Linde towards manor 't Zelle. This monumental estate, once a farm, is now a recreation park. Before reaching Zelhem, walk through the now forested 't Zand, once a large shifting sand area.

First, walk through the beautiful landscape of the Heidenhoek. Here stands the stately Silo Tower, also known as the 'Cathedral'. The next notable point is Slangenburg castle, inhabited and rebuilt by various castle lords since the 14th century and now a guest house. Further on, cross the Oude IJssel, an important river for the iron industry in the 18th century. Pass the Waalse water and continue towards Braamt. You will know you have arrived when you stand face to face with the nice windmill of Braamt. After this, you will continue walking towards your accommodation.

 

Here, in the eastern part of the province of Gelderland, right on the German border, lies the beautiful Montferland region. A hilly forest area with magnificent views. Walk through the Bergher forest and over the Hulzenberg, a hill (272 ft) where an observation tower offers expansive views over the area. You might encounter people without shoes; after all, you are on a so-called barefoot path! Continue through Hoch-Elten and enter the watery river land of the 'Gelderse Poort'. Arrive in the former border post Tolkamer on the river Waal, where you take the ferry to Millingen a/d Rijn.

The day begins in the so-called 'Duffelt'. Walking through this river polder, just before the village of Leuth, pass the Plezenburg, a striking terp farm from 1810. Continue along the Wylerberg lake and climb the Duivelsberg. This 249 ft high hill is part of the Nijmegen moraine, formed in the last ice age. At the top, find the remains of the 'motte' castle Mergelp, dating back to the 11th century. Enjoy a splendid view over the Ooypolder and the Waal's floodplains. Walk further through the rolling hills of the Nederrijk estate, finally arriving in the wine village of Groesbeek.

Via the Groesbeek forest, leave the province of Gelderland and enter Limburg. Walk through a beautiful forest area, conquering the Sint Jansberg. In this lovely nature reserve, follow winding paths through the hills, passing lakes, ponds, and hedge-surrounded meadows. Pass Milsbeek, once famous for its pottery. Just before the town of Gennep, at the spot where the Niers and Maas rivers meet, lies the 'Genneperhuis', a fortress that was once impregnable for centuries. In Gennep, admire the Martinus tower, the Mosaic square, and the old market, surrounded by beautiful historic buildings.

Leave Gennep via the dike along the Niers and head towards the Heijen forest. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Maasduinen National Park, shaped by water, wind, and human activity. The park forms the longest continuous ribbon of river dunes in the Netherlands. During a delightful walk, pass the Quin, one of many large, reflective ponds. Rest in Afferden while waiting for the ferry to cross the Maas. Once on the other side, you are in the province Brabant, where you reach your destination, Vierlingsbeek, via the Groeningen hills.

 

After breakfast, this part of the Pieterpad ends here for you.

The Pieterpad is a long-distance walk suitable for anyone with a good level of fitness and a love for slow travel. The route is non-technical, with well-marked paths through varied landscapes—rolling hills in the south, forests, heathlands, and river valleys. There are no extreme elevations, making it accessible to most walkers, but some daily distances can be long, requiring endurance. Weather conditions, especially in winter, may add some challenge. If you enjoy discovering hidden corners of the Netherlands at a relaxed pace, this could be the perfect journey for you!

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.