Recker Moor

For people in centuries past, the moor was an eerie place. Today, moors offer a unique way to experience nature. The Recker Moor is one such place. This nature reserve, situated in the hamlet of Langenacker which forms part of Recke, is one of the best-preserved moors in North Rhine-Westphalia. Discover the moor’s breathtaking flora and fauna!

Enjoy a break

Wander through the 344 ha site and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Two viewing towers, information boards, a car park and a footpath built over a peat embankment bring the area to life. Marvel at a variety of highly endangered bird species typical of raised bogs, such as the curlew, the snipe, the bluethroat and the garganey. In winter, the moor is home to the crane, amongst other species. The flora is also impressive: sphagnum mosses, cotton grass, rosemary heath and sundew all grow here. The nine native sphagnum moss species are said to include the extremely rare soft sphagnum moss!

Please note, however, that Recker Moor is a nature reserve. Please stay on the marked paths and keep dogs on a lead.

5000 years of history under nature conservation

The Recker Moor is a remnant of the Vinter Moor. This was once around 5,000 ha in size. The development into a raised bog began about 5,000 years ago. Peat cutting, drainage and agricultural use, however, led to the almost complete disappearance of the Vinter Moor, which was up to three metres deep. In 1971, the Recker part was put under nature conservation. The Recker Moor covers an area of 344 ha, but the moor body itself is still 150 ha today. It is surrounded by a protected zone of wet meadows. Only extensive rewetting facilities have created the preconditions for the development of conditions typical of raised bogs.

Insider tip

Cotton grass in the Recker Moor
© Touristinfo Recke

The white sea of cotton grass

Come to the Recker Moor in early summer, then a visit is especially worthwhile. Because then the cotton grass turns the moor into a white sea! The countless fine tufts sway gently back and forth in the wind and you experience a wonderful landscape that makes a great photo motif.

Map | Recker Moor

Protecting what matters to us

The Recker Moor is a protected sanctuary for flora and fauna that is particularly sensitive to disturbance. Please stay on the marked paths and do not walk on the waterlogged areas. These serve as breeding grounds for frogs and dragonflies. Nature trails take you to the most beautiful spots in the Recker Moor and provide you with interesting information. Please keep your dogs on a lead and do not leave any litter behind. Smoking and open fires are prohibited in the moor. The risk of fire is particularly high during dry spells. Please avoid making noise so as not to startle birds that are nesting or resting. The Recker Moor will reward you with many wonderful moments.

Places of interest around the Recker Moor

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Cycle routes on the Recker Moor

NaTourism Route NaTourismRoute Tecklenburger Land
© Thomas Starkmann
The beautiful Tecklenburg region
A cycle route in the change of nature. From the hills around Tecklenburg, the 200 km cycle tour leads into the gentle landscape of the northern Münsterland.
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Töddenland Route Töddenland Route
© Münsterland e.V./Maximilian Lehrke
On the traces of the traders
Cycle through the northern Münsterland to the origins of C&A and Hettlage. Discover the way of life of the wandering merchants of times gone by.
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Travelling to Recker Moor by bus and train

Travelling to Recker Moor by bus and train
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting

Let’s work together to protect what’s good! Use buses and trains to get here and help protect the climate and the environment. In the Münsterland region, this is often much easier than you might think.

You can use Ibbenbüren railway station to get here.
Ibbenbüren railway station is served by trains from Bielefeld, Braunschweig, Hanover, Hengelo, Minden, Osnabrück, Rheine and Salzbergen.
Bus route R26 connects Ibbenbüren railway station with the ‘Poststraße’ stop in Recke.
From the “Poststraße” bus stop, it’s about a 35-minute walk to the Recker Moor.
Alternatively, you can travel via Osnabrück Central Station and take the S10 bus from there to Recke.

Are there any car parks at Recker Moor?

Near the viewing towers there are two small, unsigned car parks. They can accommodate three to four cars. There are also information boards there providing details about the Recker Moor.

Are dogs allowed in the Recker Moor?

Dogs are allowed in the Recker Moor, but must be kept on a lead at all times.

Are there accessible paths in the Recker Moor?

Near the ‘Schnepfenturm’, there is a wheelchair-accessible footbridge leading into the moor. Please note that access to this may be restricted depending on the weather.

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