© Münsterland e.V./Kai Marc Pel
Picturesque nature spots in the Münsterland
Visually, the Münsterland is more known for its flat parkland, but in fact there are more nature experiences hiding in the region than some might have thought: Small woods, large lakes, moors, heathlands and nature reserves can be found in almost every corner of the Münsterland. In addition, numerous rivers meander through towns and nature. You will find idyll, fascination and recreation in the picturesque nature spots of the region.
4 idyllic waters to linger by
Steverauen Olfen© Münsterland e.V./Long-Nong Huang
When a river reclaims its landscape and horses, wild cattle and giant donkeys find a new home, you are definitely in the Steverauen in Olfen. The idyllic Steverauen lie in front of you in a wild and romantic setting and make time stand still for a moment. Then it's time for a discovery tour - on foot, by bike or on a raft.
Peat bog lake in Hörstel© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
The 57-hectare Torfmoor recreation area in Hörstel with its lake of the same name has a lot to offer: You can sail, fish or surf here. The approximately one-hectare bathing bay in the southeast is connected to the peat bog lake. A wonderful sandy beach and a sunbathing lawn are perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. In addition, several paths invite you to engage in sporting activities such as cycling, jogging or hiking.
The Bagno in Steinfurt© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
The Steinfurter Bagno is a park near Burgsteinfurt and covers an impressive 50 hectares. The attractive centre of the Bagno is the lake of the same name. There are five small islands in the lake, on one of which stand the remains of a ruin. Seating steps at the lake offer a view of the islands. Shady trees with benches become a place of leisure. A park to relax and discover.
The Pröbstingsee© Stadt Borken
Pedal, canoe and rowing boats await you at the jetty, well-maintained sunbathing lawns invite you to sunbathe, and many recreational and hiking trails with a total length of eleven kilometres offer themselves for exploration. The Pröbstingsee in the middle of the PröbstingSee leisure and recreation park in Borken offers many possibilities. During a leisurely walk, you will pass the historic Haus Pröbsting with its beautiful landscaped garden.
3 dreamlike gardens
Here, the flowers and trees bloom and smell the same. These three romantic gardens in Münsterland invite you to enjoy, stay and marvel.
- The Kreislehrgarten in Steinfurt promises pure garden magic and is a unique institution in Münsterland. More than 100,000 garden fans visit it every year. Here you can find out about the many different ways of gardening, have a picnic or simply stroll around for a while.
- It's hard to believe that the beautiful rose garden in the Lüdinghausen district of Seppenrade used to be a rubbish tip. Today, up to 600 rose varieties and 24,000 rose plants bloom there. You can even have a picnic in these breathtaking surroundings!
- The Botanical Garden of the Wilhelms-Universität zu Münster on the edge of the city centre is an oasis of peace, a place of education and, of course, plants. You'll find 23 themed gardens here, including the touch and smell garden, the large tropical house and the orangery. The tropical house in particular gives you the feeling of being in another country.
6 fascinating nature reserves
The beautiful Westrup Heath© Münsterland e.V./Vincent Croce
The Westruper Heide with its sandy paths and gnarled juniper bushes is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Münsterland. In this picturesque area in Haltern am See, numerous rare animal species find a last refuge. Numerous footpaths lead through the heath on sandy ground and invite you to take a walk.
In the Zwillbrocker Venn the colour pink dominates© Münsterland e.V./Vincent Croce
The most exotic inhabitants of the Münsterland have found a home in the Zwillbrocker Venn. Things are turning pink in the west of Münsterland: the nature reserve near Vreden is not only home to the world's northernmost flamingo colony, but also to many other animal and plant species. Wet meadows, moorland and heathland characterise the appearance of the area.
The blue lagoon in Beckum© Münsterland e.V./Kai Marc Pel
A piece of the South Seas in the tranquil Münsterland: the blue lagoon in Beckum is a former limestone quarry with beautiful turquoise water and a great view. It's a wonderful place to linger, take a walk or even hike around the entire lagoon.
View over the Rieselfeder© Janna Kamphof
The Rieselfelder near Münster is an idyllic natural paradise right outside the city. Reservoir ponds and wet grassland alternate with pastures and avenues of fruit trees. Here you can get very close to nature - without disturbing it. In the observation huts you can watch the sometimes rare bird species from a distance.
Dülmen wild horses© Münsterland e.V./Long-Nong Huang
The nature reserve Merfelder Bruch near Dülmen, which covers about 3.2 square kilometres, is characterised by its very diverse vegetation: Oak and coniferous forests alternate with willows, heaths and birch scrub. It is also home to the Dülmen wild horses - the last of their kind in Europe.
Ahsewiesen in Lippetal© Martin Eickenbusch
The Ahsewiesen nature reserve is located in the municipality of Lippetal and covers 371 hectares. The Ahsewiesen are characterised by damp and wet grassland, reeds, hedges and small bodies of water in the floodplain of the Ahse and the adjacent slopes to the north. Various wading and water birds, amphibians and other animals have found their home here. Around 150 bird species have been observed here.
Münsterland Tourism Centre© Münsterland e.V./Anja Tiwisina