Legend Route in the Münsterland

On the trail of demons, ghosts and many a legendary tale, you follow a little witch through the Tecklenburg region. Ride your "broom", equipped with two wheels and handlebars of course, past the "Witches' Kitchen" and the "Holy Sea", a wildly romantic moorland with lakes, ponds and pools. You can enjoy wonderful views over the Münsterland from the rock formation "Hockendes Weib" near Ibbenbüren. Take some time and walk through this beautiful natural area in Münsterland.

Perfect pictures for gentle creeps

There are quite a few eerily beautiful stories in the Tecklenburg region where, with a little imagination in tow, you can get gently c reeped out. The romantic castles such as Iburg Castle and Gravenhorst Monastery provide wonderful backdrops. The historic town centres of Lienen, Tecklenburg and Bad Iburg are also downright fairytale-like.

Let yourself be inspired

The "Wet Triangle" near Hörstel
© Münsterland e.V. / Kai Marc Pel
Recke's parlour - the market square
© Münsterland e.V./Maximilian Lehrke
The church of Hopsten is an eye-catcher
© Münsterland e.V./Maximilian Lehrke
The gatehouse in Lengerich
© Münsterland e.V./Kai Marc Pel
Simply picturesque: the pretty half-timbered houses in Lienen
© Münsterland e.V./Sebastian Lehrke
The beautiful centre of Westerkappeln
© Münsterland e.V./Maximilian Lehrke

Legends along the Legend Route

1
Squatting Woman in the Dörenther Cliffs
© Münsterland e.V.
The Squatting Woman

The rock formation near Ibbenbüren tells the amazing saga of a brave mother and her two children fleeing from a flood. Frozen into a rock, she saved the children from the floods. The wooded surroundings are an excellent hiking area and offer great views of the Münsterland region.

learn more...

2
Gravenhorst Monastery in Hörstel
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
Gravenhorst Monastery

The Gravenhorst Monastery in Hörstel tells its own story. The former Cistercian monastery is a good example of monastic life between spirituality and pragmatism. The small exhibition shows valuable documents and provides insights into monastic life. Today, exciting art projects and exhibitions generate new "legendary" stories.

learn more...

3
The Steinbeck Cross
© Felix Büscher
Steinbecker Esch

The two crosses in Steinbecker Esch near Recke tell a murderous story. Two very different shepherds fought over the grazing grounds here. Blind hatred and brute force caused the death of the two shepherds. The crosses are still a topical memorial for peaceableness and understanding today.

4
The Holy Sea near Recke
© Münsterland e.V./Maximilian Lehrke
Sacred Sea

The Holy Sea near Recke is a beautiful nature reserve. Numerous animal species have found a retreat in the idyll. However, the history of the Holy Sea is less tranquil: instead of the lake, there was a monastery here whose monks were known for their dissolute lifestyle. As punishment, the monastery was struck by a powerful bolt of lightning during a thunderstorm. The monastery was never seen again, but the peaceful lake was created on this spot.

learn more...

5
Tüöttenmuseum in Mettingen
© Münsterland e.V./Maximilian Lehrke
Tüöttenmuseum in Mettingen

The legendary life and trade of the linen merchants is the theme of the Tüötten Museum in Mettingen. The "Tüötten" had far-reaching trade relations and have left their mark on the region to this day. The museum gives an insight into the life of the families and shows the tools and utensils from times gone by. Follow the history of the Tüötten.

learn more...

6
House Marck
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
House Marck

Haus Marck at the foot of the town of Tecklenburg looks back on an eventful past. Preliminary negotiations for the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 took place here - a milestone in European history. A spooky legend is spun around the mausoleum of the manor house. Forgotten by his master in the mausoleum, the apprentice working there died on a full moon night. Why? That remains a mystery to this day.

learn more...

7
Bad Iburg Castle
© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
Bad Iburg Castle

It is worth taking a look at the history of Bad Iburg Castle. In the wake of the Peace of Westphalia, the Braunschweig-Lüneburg family moved in here and began their unparalleled rise. The history of the building and its inhabitants comes to life in the Knights' Hall and the castle's museum.

learn more...

8
Witch's Path near Tecklenburg
© Münsterland e.V./Simon Says Media
Tecklenburg Witch's Kitchen

The devil's footprint can still be seen today in the rocks of the witches' kitchen near Tecklenburg. This is where the witches of the region cooked their secret magic potions and even today you can still see smoke rising at night. But a young noblewoman put an end to the haunting. You can find out more on a short hike along the witches' path.

learn more...

learn more

The Legend Route at a glance

  • 206 km
  • Circuit
  • medium
  • signposted
  • Multiday tour
  • Nature
  • Ibbenbüren
  • Hörstel
  • Hopsten
  • Recke
  • Mettingen
  • Westerkappeln
  • Lotte
  • Lengerich
  • Bad Iburg
  • Lienen
  • Ladbergen
  • Tecklenburg

Downloads

Your questions about the legend route

The legend route is integrated into the red and white cycle route signage as an insert sign/pictogram. The insert sign is located directly below the destination signposts. Thanks to its integration into the dense Münsterland-wide cycle route network with a junction system, orientation is particularly easy for those unfamiliar with the area.

A total of 700 metres in altitude have to be overcome on the legendary route. Of these, 350 metres are uphill. The steepest climbs are north of Lengerich and north of Bad Iburg. Overall, the Sagenroute is a moderately difficult cycle route that can be completed with a normal level of fitness.

Learn more...

Close Contact & Info
Search & Book
Close