6-day Pieterpad Walking Holiday: Vorden to Groesbeek

Travel to Vorden on your own. Upon arrival in Vorden, check in at your accommodation.

If you arrive early and have some energy left after your journey, consider visiting the nearby beautiful Hanseatic city of Zutphen, just 9 minutes away by train! 

Just outside Vorden lies the beautiful, eponymous 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. 

Challenge: 18 km / 11.2 mi

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. 

Challenge: 20 km / 12.4 mi

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 (83 m/ 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. 

Challenge: 24 km / 14.9 mi

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 76 m/ 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. 

Challenge: 20,5 km / 12.7 mi

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