If you have a lot of stamina, this 123 km long road bike tour from Michael Sandner, chairman of the Münster e.V. cycle club, is just the thing for you. There are 510 metres of altitude to overcome. However, the beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages reward your efforts. So get on your racing bike!
The start and finish point of this road bike route is the town centre of Telgte. The town, which is around 1200 years old, is known as a place of pilgrimage and has one of the most beautiful old town centres in Münsterland. Idyllic alleyways and squares reflect the medieval structures and create a cosy atmosphere. Small shops and restaurants invite you to stop off and take a stroll.
From Telgte, the tour leads through the flat parkland of Münsterland towards Münster-Wolbeck. You will pass the Drostenhof Wolbeck, a former castle manor, which can only be admired from the outside. This is followed by Münster-Hiltrup, from where the route joins the canal promenade, which you follow until shortly before Senden. A detour to Senden is worthwhile: for example, to visit Senden Castle or the Grothues Potthoff farm café and farm shop.
The route now takes you through the picturesque Stever valley with its mills, granaries and the Stever spring towards Nottuln. The metres in altitude steadily increase until you finally reach the Longinus Tower. This 30-metre-high observation tower was built on the Westerberg - enjoy the view of the Baumberge mountains and treat yourself to a break at Café 18|97. The café and tower are open at weekends. Refreshed, the route continues to Billerbeck, which impresses with its historic town centre and the mighty Ludgerus Cathedral. The towers of the cathedral can be seen from every direction.
The route continues through Höpingen with its restored windmill to Havixbeck, the birthplace of the famous poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. If you want to fortify yourself here, Klute's Historisches Brauhaus offers regional specialities and home-brewed cold beer.
The tour then continues to Greven-Gimbte. The picturesque village on the River Ems has already been voted a Gold Village for good reason and invites you to linger before reaching the Rieselfelder. This natural paradise serves as a resting and moulting area for migratory birds of many different species. The twelve metre high observation tower offers an almost complete overview of the extensive wetlands.
After the sewage fields, you cycle through the Boniburg Forest back to the starting point of your tour. But before that, there is one last highlight: the former moated castle Haus Dyckburg. Next to it is a small church designed by the famous baroque architect Johann Conrad Schlaun. Absolutely worth seeing!
