One highlight after the other

From the car park, head north towards the Ahauser Aa. Turn right here and cycle along the Flörbach for quite a while, past many wide fields and small woods. You pass the Haus Horst firewood farm and can already see Haus Horst from here. It was founded around 1580 by the married couple Jakob (I) von Keppel, Burgmann zu Nienborg, and Elsebe von Münster on the farm of the same name on the Ahauser Aa in the far west of the Ahle farming community as an aristocratic residence. Today it is privately owned and the castle is best recognised in the "foliage-free season".

The route continues along extensive meadows and fields for just under 10 kilometres to Nienborg. On the way, you pass the Donseler Feld nature reserve: pure relaxation and tranquillity. Our route takes us past the old watermill, which was built in 1368, restored in 1984 and is now privately owned. It can therefore only be viewed from the outside. Past the watermill, the route continues along the road to the next stop on this short journey.

The three-tiered gables of the Hohes Haus castle complex, typical of the Münsterland region, can be seen from afar. It is part of Nienborg Castle. In those days, lords of the land used to appoint loyal servants to protect their castle and town in order to have them available as officials (for administrative tasks) or knights (for defence). This gave rise to the Burgmannen (servants), who were placed between the nobility and peasants with aristocratic rights. The Burgmannen later had a number of administrative rights: organisation of the town's defence, approval of the election of the town judge and the mayor as well as supervision of weights and measures, for which they alone included the wine tax and set new prices for wine. This enabled them to constantly increase their wealth, so that they built ever more splendid houses - Burgmannshöfe - for themselves. Today, six of the eight Burgmannshöfe still exist with buildings from different eras, and only small remains of another.

You can take a tour of the house on reservation, as the Dutch von Bönninghausen family will be happy to open the gate and tell you about life in and around Nienborg in those days.

Before you continue, you can charge your e-bike here.

On the next stretch, you will pass two other possible stops: firstly, the Long House beckons. This former castle still has three manor houses, the gatehouse and remains of the massive curtain wall. The Landesmusikakademie NRW has been using a large part of the building since 1989. A little further along the road you can see Keppelborg House, whose roots go back to the 15th or 16th century. The current owners are now happy to open their doors to guests and invite them to stay overnight. The adjoining, extensive park is an oasis of tranquillity that you can enjoy with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Let the past work its magic on you!

From here, it's a nice stretch along the Donaubach towards Heek. Here you can take a short break at an ice cream parlour or a café. After you have passed the village, there is another wonderful scenic stretch along the Dinkelnierung nature reserve. Lapwings, oystercatchers and the endangered black-tailed godwit are at home here. Amphibians and dragonflies live in the small bodies of water. In the south of the nature reserve, a bridge over the river opens up a wide view of the lowland landscape. Keep your eyes peeled, as you might even spot grey wagtails, moorhens and tufted ducks here. After a few kilometres, you will reach the Düstermühle.

A beautiful old brick watermill dating back to 1151 (mentioned in a document) rests here on the River Dinkel. Located right next to an inn, it invites you to linger a while. There is also an e-bike charging station here.

The cycle tour continues along fields and stretches of tranquillity. Then you will experience a cultural highlight of this circular tour: Asbeck Abbey.

Asbeck Abbey in Legden-Asbeck, founded in the 12th century, was initially a double monastery of the Premonstratensians. It later became a nunnery before being converted into a convent for ladies in the 16th century. The establishment existed until 1805. Many interesting places can still be visited here today:

• The abbesses' representative building of the monastery
• Collegiate church of St Margareta
• Bakehouse
• Dormitory and cloister
• Gatehouse (Hunnenpforte)

Did you know? Therese von Zandt, Ludwig von Beethoven's lover, lived here from 1783 to 1803.

Now we cycle on the penultimate stage past small streams, wide fields and small woods, with the Steinkuhle nature reserve next to us, and ride to Legden.

Haus Egelborg is a moated castle on the upper reaches of the Dinkel, extending over two islands. In 1400 it passed from the Lords of Were into the possession of the Lords of Billerbeck. Knight Jobst von Oer-Nottbeck took possession of Haus Egelborg in 1670 through marriage. His descendants still run the estate today.

The Haus Egelborg estate lies quietly and secluded in a wooded area in Legden. The path first leads over a bridge to an outer island enclosed by a moat with a few farm buildings and tree-covered lawns. Baron von Oer welcomes the guests at the large neo-Gothic gatehouse of the Egelborg for the guided tour. During the tour of his traditional estate, he talks about the history of Haus Egelborg. The tour also includes a visit to the house's own chapel.

Registration for the events is absolutely necessary.

From here, you get on your bikes one last time and cycle the final stage of your route towards Ahaus. The crowning glory of this tour awaits you here: The moated castle of Ahaus.

The baroque hunting lodge was built towards the end of the 17th century by Capuchin monk Ambrosius von Oelde on the site where a castle from the 11th century previously stood. In the middle of the 18th century, an extension with a sweeping staircase was added to the castle. After the castle was completely destroyed in the Second World War, it was later acquired by the district of Ahaus and rebuilt. Today, some of the castle's rooms are used by the Ahaus Technical Academy. It also houses the gatehouse museum and the school museum. In addition to the museums, the Prince's Hall, the Garden Hall and the castle park are open to visitors.