Wow - a veritable firework display of romantic castles and imposing fortresses awaits you on our 160-kilometre cycling tour tip. Münster alone, with its countless sights, is worth the trip. But the famous Nordkirchen Castle, the legendary Vischering Castle and the picturesque Hülshoff Castle crown this cycle tour. In between, you cycle through the wide Münsterland park landscape to the witnesses of the stories. Let yourself be surprised by blossoming parks, hospitable village centres and Münsterland cuisine.
Today's plan includes 63 kilometres from the Westphalian "metropolis" of Münster to the peaceful Ascheberg. There is enough time to discover some of the city's sights before you start your cycle tour at Münster Castle. How about breakfast at Prinzipalmarkt, a visit to the Friedenssaal (Peace Hall) or a tour of the imposing cathedral? A real insider tip is the botanical garden at the back of the castle with its lush flowering plants.
After a few turns of the pedals along the unique "promenade", you have left Münster's city centre and soon reach the beautiful shores of the Werse. Accompanied by small forests, meadows and fields, the path follows the meanders of the river. If you haven't already taken a break at the Pleistermühle pub, there are plenty of places to sit and rest or have a picnic.
The Water castles of Bisping and Borg near Rinkerode give you a foretaste of the "castle experience" of the next few days. The historic castle tower of Davensberg marks the end of today's stage.
The "Gute Stube" of the city - with numerous shops, restaurants and cafés. The meeting place for visitors and locals in the heart of Münster
The Erbdrostenhof from 1757 rises magnificently from the cityscape of Münster. It will not be your last encounter with the architecture of the baroque architect Johann Conrad Schlaun on this cycle tour.
Münster Castle is the seat of the university and also the starting point of your cycle tour. The city's landmark was completed in 1787 according to plans by Johann Conrad Schlaun. The "Promenade" - Münster's famous footpath and cycle path - is located directly at the castle.
A blossoming oasis in the middle of the city. You shouldn't miss a tour of the Botanical Garden to get in the mood for your bike tour. Over 8,000 plants in 23 themed gardens will delight not only garden lovers.
At the border to the Davert, the largest contiguous deciduous forest area in the region, the historic castle tower marks the end of the first stage. The remains of the former Davensberg knight's castle are now home to a small museum.
Today offers 36 kilometres of pure cycling pleasure. Although the stage is somewhat shorter, it shows you one of the most beautiful highlights in the Münsterland: the Castle of Nordkirchen, not far from your starting point, is rightly called the "Versailles of Westphalia". The true size of the palace complex only becomes clear on a tour. The ever-changing perspectives amaze and invite you to take a "photo tour". Perhaps the most beautiful view is from the lake across Venus Island to the castle.
Apropos Venus Island - here size and many small details combine to create unique elegance. A place to dream and linger. There are many places of this in the extensive castle park. Wonderful for a picnic in the green. Just a few metres away is the small town centre of Nordkirchen with restaurants, cafés and an ice cream parlour.
After Selm you will come across the blue ribbon of the Stever. The small river will accompany you again and again until you reach your destination, Lüdinghausen. Before the day draws to a close, there is still time to visit the beautiful Lüdinghausen Castle. Every second and fourth Friday of the month (April to October) there is an evening market with small gastronomic temptations.
The highlight of every Münsterland cycle tour: Nordkirchen Castle is not only the largest castle in Westphalia, but certainly one of the most beautiful. History and stories come alive on a guided tour of the castle and park.
Magnificent avenues alternate with wide meadows and dense forests. The approx. 170-hectare park around Nordkirchen Castle is crowned by imposing sight lines and the Venus Island planned by J.C. Schlaun. The numerous sculptures from the 18th century give the park its very own charm.
Lüdinghausen Castle is the destination of the second stage. The historic building from the 12th century is the starting point for a walk to Vischering Castle or a stroll through the cosy town centre of Lüdinghausen.
Once again, 63 kilometres are on the programme. But the first highlight awaits you just a few minutes after your start. As soon as you enter the castle courtyard, Vischering Castle takes you back to the Middle Ages. A tour of the museum completes your journey back in time.
Kakesbeck Castle, just outside the city, and Senden Castle are currently being carefully renovated. A guided tour of the construction site in Senden is a special experience on your tour. The beautiful meadows in front of the castle are ideal for a small picnic with a "castle view". For the next few kilometres, you can relax and follow the Stever to the small town of Nottuln.
It's only a few metres up to the Longinus Tower on the 188-metre-high Westerberg. Coffee and cake garnished with a magnificent view await you there at Café 18|97 as a reward for your efforts. But what does effort mean? The cycle paths through the hills of the Baumberge are a delight and lead you to Havixbeck. While Havixbeck House can only be seen from a distance, you can get up close and personal at Hülshoff Castle. Poetry is in the air - after all, the castle is the birthplace of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff.
Following in Droste's footsteps, you will reach Haus Rüchhaus, back in Münster. The small garden and the museum are not to be missed. It's hard to believe that it's only 5 kilometres from here to the end point at Münster Castle. The cosy restaurants and bars in the Kreuzviertel are just the right place to review the impressions of the last few days in a relaxed atmosphere.
The necklace of Lambert von Oer, the baking skills of Knight Helmut and the "Vischering cake". There is a lot to discover around Vischering Castle and, of course, a tour of the castle museum is a must. You've never experienced history in such an entertaining way.
Get out the picnic blanket and enjoy the sun's rays with a magnificent view of Senden Castle. Here history is brought back to life, old splendour dusted off. Senden Castle is a place in transition. Exciting and relaxing at the same time.
The highest point in Münsterland not only offers wonderful distant views, but is also the perfect place for a rest. On the beautiful terrace of the café in the Longinusturm, you can enjoy the sun and the landscape with tarte flambée or cake when the weather is nice.
Hülshoff Castle is a jewel in the Münsterland castle landscape. Dating back to the 11th century, the castle has lost none of its fascination. Nestled in the extensive and wonderfully manicured park, the castle looks back on an eventful history.
The poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff lived in the Rüschhaus house near Münster for eight years. Anyone who walks through the small park and visits the cosy interiors will know why. Today you can even visit the country house with VR glasses.
The Hotel Clemens August in Ascheberg-Davensberg is located directly on the route. Here you can end the day in comfort in the sports bar or in the "CRAFTED" restaurant. Tip: You can enjoy homemade sausages, spirits, jams and pastries not only in the hotel, but also buy them as a tasty souvenir in the shop.
Hotel No. 11 in Lüdinghausen offers a lot of charm in the pedestrian zone of Lüdinghausen. The 17 rooms are spread over three very different parts of the building. To start the day, you have breakfast in a listed Ackerbürgerhaus dating from 1619. Tip: During the day, the historic breakfast room is transformed into a small café with an antique and silver shop.
In Münster you'll find countless accommodation options - from cosy guesthouses to stylish 4-star hotels. Ideal for extending your trip by one or two nights. >>to the accommodation in Münster
Enjoy regional specialities in the shade of a castle tower, indulge in delicious cakes within historic walls or admire dreamy water lilies over a drink. No other cycle tour offers so many culinary options in the region's historic settings.
Arriving by train:
Münster can be reached by train from all major cities. Regular ICE and IC connections link Münster with the largest German cities. The bus station and Münster's bicycle station are located directly in front of the station.
Arriving by car
You can reach Münster by car via the A 1 (Cologne-Hamburg) and A 43 (Wuppertal-Münster) motorways. There are several P+R car parks on the outskirts of the city. In the city centre, a parking guidance system will direct you to the various multi-storey car parks and car parks.
You can easily plan this cycling tour. The following links will take you to the tour maps with all the sights along the route - as a complete overview or day by day. You can also conveniently download all routes as GPS tracks.
Do you like this cycling tour? Then you can book it right away as a package tour with us. We will book the accommodation in the stage towns for you in advance, provide you with the necessary information material and organise the luggage transfer for you.
You can enquire about the cycling tour without obligation using the contact form. You will receive a non-binding offer from us as soon as possible. If you have any special wishes, comments or deviations from the tour described here, please let us know using the "Messages" field. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to touristik@muensterland.com or call us on +49(0)2571 94 93 92.
Services:
Prices:
Early bird bonus of 20 € until 29.02.2024
Offer valid for arrival 01.01.-21.12.2024 | Prices per person | Bookable from 2 persons | Organiser: Münsterland e.V.
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