Are you planning to walk the Pieterpad through North Limburg? Then you have five beautiful stages ahead of you. You’ll walk from Groesbeek to Gennep, on to Vierlingsbeek and Swolgen, and via Venlo towards Swalmen. Along the way, quiet paths, villages, the Meuse landscape and lovely places to stop for a break alternate peacefully. In this blog, we’ll share our favourite spots and tips for each stage that are conveniently located along your route. For a coffee along the way, something interesting to see or do, and comfortable hotels and rest stops where you can take off your walking boots for a while.
Last updated on: 25 June 2026
What is the Pieterpad?
The Pieterpad is the best-known long-distance walking route in the Netherlands. The route runs from Pieterburen in Groningen to the Sint-Pietersberg in Maastricht and is almost 500 kilometres long in total. Along the way, you’ll walk through small villages, nature reserves, alongside rivers and right through a variety of landscapes. It is precisely this variety that makes the trail so popular.
In North Limburg, the Pieterpad feels just that little bit more peaceful. Here, you walk between the River Meuse, woods and fields, often along narrow paths where you mainly hear birds and rustling leaves. No crowds, no rush. Just covering the kilometres and coming across something new time and again along the way.
Many walkers tackle individual stages, but there are also enthusiasts who tick off the entire Pieterpad step by step. They usually have one thing in common: after one stage, you’ll want to walk another.
Which stage of the Pieterpad would you like to walk?
Stage 18, at 15 kilometres, isn’t a long stage, but it’s one that will stay with you. You set off from Groesbeek in Gelderland and soon find yourself walking through woodland and hilly terrain towards Sint-Jansberg and the beautiful Zevendal. There, you’ll immediately notice what makes this route so special. The landscape undulates, the paths wind up and down, and through the greenery you look out over the forests on the border with Germany.
The route then descends gently towards Milsbeek, where you’ll pass Museum De Oude Pottenbakkerij. A lovely spot to pause and reflect on an ancient craft that is truly part of the region’s heritage. The landscape then begins to change. As you walk along the dyke, the landscape opens up and you continue along the Maas and the Niers towards the charming town of Gennep. Along the way, you’ll also come across traces of the Second World War, as part of the Liberation Route. Once in the centre of Gennep, the Het Petershuis Museum is another such place that adds extra significance to this stage, with stories about archaeology and the history of the town and the region.
Start and finish point in Groesbeek: Dorpsplein 21
Start and finish point in Gennep: Markt 1, Gennep
Our favourite places to stop along stage 18
Along the way, there are plenty of lovely spots to stop for a while. Nestled between the Groesbeekse Bos and the Mookerheide lies the Herberg Restaurant ’t Zwaantje. A wonderful place to start your day with a breakfast buffet or round it off with a dinner featuring local specialities. In Milsbeek, Eethuis De Diepen is a lovely spot to stop for a break, where they serve authentic Limburg vlaai. Theehuisje Milsbeek is another lovely spot to settle down. This cosy little cottage is tucked away in the countryside and has a charming garden with plenty of quiet corners to catch your breath. With a cup of coffee, tea or a tasty treat, you can recharge your batteries here in peace and quiet for the next part of your walk. In Gennep, we recommend the cosy terrace at Hotel De Kroon, where you can put your feet up and enjoy a drink or a tasty treat.
Here’s where to stay overnight along stage 18
If you’d like to stay overnight in Gennep after this stage, B&B De Engel van Gennep and Hotel De Kroon are both excellent choices. Both are conveniently located if you want to continue your walk along the Pieterpad the next day. But even if you’d like to stay a little longer, this is a great base from which to explore Gennep and the surrounding area at your leisure. Are you walking the route from Gennep to Groesbeek? Then Herberg Restaurant ’t Zwaantje is a great tip on the other side of the stage. A lovely place to start your day’s walk in a relaxed manner or to wind it down quietly.
This is where you can get your Pieterpad Passport stamped on stage 18:
Theehuisje Milsbeek: Bloemenstraat 8, Milsbeek
Hotel De Kroon: Markt 11, Gennep
Gennep Tourist Information Office: Markt 1, Gennep
Pieterpad Stage 19: Gennep – Vierlingsbeek (19 km)
Stage 19 is one such route where the landscape changes character as you go. You set off from Gennep and walk towards De Maasduinen National Park. Along the way, you’ll pass through woodland, past heathland and through small villages such as Afferden. One of the most beautiful sections of this stage is near Het Quin. This large fen was formed by seepage water and rain and lies in a wooded area that also features a river dune thirty metres high. It is precisely there that the route feels particularly quiet and spacious. And if you look around carefully, you can also spot grazers here, such as wild goats and Scottish Highland cattle. You then cross the Maas on the Afferden–Sambeek ferry and continue walking towards Vierlingsbeek in Brabant.
Start and finish point in Gennep: Markt 1
Starting and finishing point in Vierlingsbeek: Spoorstraat 3
Our favourite places to stop along stage 19
Towards the end (or at the start, if you’re walking the other way round), Grand Café Langstraat 2 is one of our favourite spots to take a break. Here, you can sit comfortably on the terrace opposite the Mariakapel with an ice-cold Hertog Jan and a tasty Limburg snack. Don’t mind straying slightly from the route? Then we recommend Theetuin de Appelgaard on the edge of the Afferdse woods. In summer, you can sit here under the apple trees with a slice of homemade apple pie.
Here’s where to stay overnight along stage 19
If you’d like to stay overnight along this stage in North Limburg, the Klein Canada Family Campsite in Afferden is an ideal spot. The campsite is nestled amidst the greenery of North Limburg and is conveniently situated if you wish to continue your walk along the Pieterpad the following day. But even if you’d like to stay a little longer, this is the perfect base from which to explore the Maasduinen area at your leisure.
Editor’s tip: this section of the Pieterpad is also a lovely walk if you’re staying at Center Parcs Het Heijderbos, as the route passes close by.
This is where you can get your Pieterpad Passport stamped on stage 19:
Hotel De Kroon: Markt 11, Gennep
Gennep Tourist Information Office: Markt 1, Gennep
The Appelgaard Tea Garden: Afferdse Heide 58, Afferden
Stage 20 takes you back into Limburg from Vierlingsbeek. You cross the Meuse by ferry and then walk via Wanssum, Meerlo and Tienray towards Swolgen. Along the way, you’ll pass little chapels, quiet country lanes and wooded areas. This stage feels particularly Limburgish, especially around Tienray: small, cosy and with plenty of spots to pause for a moment. Anyone walking this stage will also pass the Sint Goarkapel, one of the viewpoints and rest stops where you’ll definitely want to pause for a moment.
Please note: part of this stage has been temporarily diverted. A wildfire has severely affected the Boschhuizerbergen nature reserve near Oostrum, meaning the original Pieterpad is impassable there. Volunteers have marked out an alternative route between Geijsteren and Smakt. The diversion is approximately 500 metres to 1 kilometre shorter than the original route. Always check the most up-to-date route information on the official Pieterpad website before setting off.
Photo: Chloe Sterk from the lifestyle platform DailyNonense.nl walked this stage with her boyfriend and had a brilliant time! You can read about her experience here.
Start and finish point in Vierlingsbeek: Spoorstraat 3
Starting and finishing point in Swolgen: Monseigneur Aertsstraat 2
Our favourite places to stop for a break along stage 20
In Wanssum, Van Wanssum Lunchcafé is a lovely spot to stop for a coffee, some snacks or a hearty lunch. Around Tienray, you can stroll through a village with a fascinating history of pilgrimage. It’s a great opportunity to rest your legs for a while before continuing on to Swolgen. Treat yourself to an ice cream at IJssalon Clevers in Tienray along the way. Fancy something a bit more substantial? Then pop into Eten & Zo, where you can enjoy a hearty lunch or a tasty main course.
Here’s where to stay overnight along stage 20
If you’d like to stay overnight after this stage, Swolgen and the surrounding area are ideal for a peaceful night’s stay in the countryside at De Bosrank. Would you like to stay a little longer? Then we recommend B&B De Oude Pastorie. You can stay here for a minimum of two nights: it’s situated right at the end of stage 20.
This is where you can get your Pieterpad Passport stamped along stage 20:
Stage 21 gets off to a flying start. From Swolgen, you walk towards the Schuitwater nature reserve, a marsh forest with little bridges, winding paths and peaceful stretches along the water. It almost feels un-Dutch. With a bit of luck, you might even spot a beaver. You then continue through the countryside, with lovely stops around Lottum and Grubbenvorst, until Venlo gradually comes into view. A lovely stage for anyone who loves variety: nature, villages, good places to stop for a break and, at the end, the liveliness of the city.
Begin- en eindpunt in Swolgen: Monseigneur Aertsstraat 2
Begin- en eindpunt in Venlo: Station Venlo
“
If you find yourself in Venlo and fancy treating yourself to something special, Restaurant Valuas is an excellent choice. This family-run business is situated just outside the city centre and is renowned for its high-quality cuisine and a warm welcome at the table.
”
Chloe Sterk of Dailynonsense | April 2026
Our favourite places to stop along stage 21
Along the way, you’ll pass Gerda and Leo’s Pieterpad Terrace. A much-loved, cosy little stop-off where you can pop in for a friendly natter and an old-fashioned ‘cup of coffee’. Further along the route, you’ll also pass the Pieterbankje run by the van Eijk family. Here, too, you can take a short break for a coffee or a soft drink.
Just outside Lottum lies Natuurlijck Kaldenbroek. Kaldenbroek is not just any green spot to stop for a break, but an ancient nature and heritage area brimming with stories. Here, you can walk amidst lush nature, ancient landscapes and traces of a rich past featuring noble families and castles. At first glance, it looks like a tea garden, but you can also have lunch there, enjoy a drink in the sun and simply linger for a while without any set plans.
In Grubbenvorst, IJssalon Clevers is a lovely place to stop. They serve the most delicious ice-cream sundaes here. I’d recommend sitting down here for a while, putting your feet up and simply enjoying a generously filled sundae.
Here’s where to stay overnight along stage 21
If you’d like to take this stage at a leisurely pace, Landgoed de Hilkensberg is a lovely place to stay overnight. You’ll sleep surrounded by nature, with a natural swimming pool, sauna, campfire and even alpacas in the garden. It’s the sort of place where you’ll easily end up staying longer than planned. Would you prefer to stay overnight in Venlo, so you can carry on straight away with stage 22 the next morning? Then choose a hotel such as Mr. Jiggs, for example, in the centre of Venlo. That way, you’ll be practically right by the station and can set off again on foot the very next day.
This is where you can get your Pieterpad Passport stamped along stage 21:
Koffieschenkerij Genuujerie: Sint Urbanusweg 77, Venlo
Café De Klep: Keizerstraat 13, Venlo
Pieterpad Stage 22: Venlo – Swalmen
Stage 22 takes you away from Venlo and into the wooded border region. You’ll walk via Tegelen, Belfeld, Reuver and Beesel towards Swalmen. Along the way, you’ll cross the border several times: one moment you’re walking in Limburg, the next you’re standing with both feet in Germany. That’s what makes this stage a little different. You’ll pass old clay and gravel pits, quiet forest paths, old boundary posts and the picturesque Prinsendijk. You’ll also walk through the vast Diergardt’scher Wald and alongside the meandering river De Swalm. It’s that sense of being on the border that really sticks with you: walking on the very edge of the Netherlands, surrounded by woods and with the occasional glimpse of open countryside. The route is 23 kilometres long and runs largely through woodland and countryside. Allow around 5 to 6 hours for the walk, depending on your pace and breaks. You’ll encounter some tarmac, particularly at the start, but after that it becomes increasingly green and peaceful.
Begin- en eindpunt in Venlo: Station Venlo
Begin- en eindpunt in Swalmen: Markt Swalmen
Our favourite places to stop for a break along stage 22
In Tegelen, it’s lovely to stop for a quick refuel before the route becomes greener. Pop into Oelespot for coffee and cake, a lovely lunch or, if you arrive a bit later in the day, a tasty dinner. Why not order a slice of Limburg vlaai or take your time over one of the homemade pancakes? There’s plenty of choice. Heading towards Reuver and Beesel, you’ll pass through a varied stretch where it’s easy to plan a short break. Beesel is definitely worth a stroll through. The village has a unique atmosphere, with old façades, quiet streets and, of course, the dragon that’s synonymous with Beesel.
Here’s where to stay overnight along stage 22
As Swalmen lies just outside North Limburg, it’s a good idea to check in advance where you’d like to end your journey. If you’d like to stay overnight within North Limburg, Reuver and Beesel are lovely places at the end of the North Limburg section of this stage. There, you can stay at B&B Bösdael or B&B Het mooie Uitzicht. Are you walking on to Swalmen? Then B&B Anno 1919 is a lovely option, a short distance from Roermond.
This is where you can get your Pieterpad Passport stamped along stage 22:
Venlo Tourist Information Centre: Keulsepoort 12, Venlo
Het Romerhuis: Wijngaardstraat 2, Venlo
Genuujerie Coffee Bar: Sint Urbanusweg 77, Venlo
Café De Klep: Keizerstraat 13, Venlo
Boscafé De Grens: Keulseweg 202, Reuver
Have you spotted a mistake in this blog? Please let the editorial team know via redactie@in-noordlimburg.nl/en. Your feedback is invaluable.
Frequently asked questions about the Pieterpad
Yes. It’s the variety in particular that makes these sections so enjoyable. You’ll be walking mainly along quiet paths without any extreme changes in elevation. Roughly speaking, allow 4 to 6 hours of walking per stage, depending on your pace and breaks. The stage to Venlo is a bit longer, so it’s worth being reasonably fit for walking.
It depends a bit on what you fancy. The route from Gennep to Vierlingsbeek feels peaceful and open, with plenty of views of the Meuse landscape and nature along the way. The section from Swolgen to Venlo, on the other hand, offers more variety, ranging from woodland and country estates to the lively entrance into Venlo. Both routes capture that relaxed North Limburg atmosphere.
Yes. Gennep, Vierlingsbeek and Venlo are all easily accessible by train or bus. Venlo and Vierlingsbeek have a station; Gennep is easily accessible by bus. This makes it easy to walk one stage and then travel back to your starting point. Venlo is particularly convenient as a finishing point, as the station is close to the town centre.
Fancy some more tips for fun days out in the eight municipalities of North Limburg? Then take a look at our ‘where to go’ page for more inspiration.
Yes. At various points along the Pieterpad, you can have your Pieterpad booklet stamped. It’s a lovely souvenir of your walk and, for many walkers, it’s simply part of the experience. So be sure to take your booklet with you when you set off. Ask at a visitor centre, a café or restaurant, or another official stamp point whether you can get a stamp there. Not every stop along the route has a stamp, so it’s a good idea to ask about this in advance or whilst you’re out and about.
Of course, this is a matter of personal taste. Many walkers describe the section through North Limburg as one of the most beautiful parts of the Pieterpad. Here, you walk through De Maasduinen National Park, along the River Meuse, along quiet forest paths and through charming villages. The variety of natural scenery, river landscapes and cosy places to stop makes these stages popular with both novice and experienced walkers alike.
The Pieterpad enters Limburg at Mook and then runs via Gennep, Well, Swolgen and Venlo towards Swalmen. In North Limburg, you can walk five stages, enjoying plenty of nature, charming villages and lovely spots to rest or spend the night along the way.
More golden moments-There is so much more to experience! Read our tips.
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