Get into the VerGRÜNEN - experience your green micro-adventure between the Münsterland park landscape and the valley of the Lippe. The 90-kilometre cycle tour heads for "green" castles and magnificent views of lush green nature. The blue ribbons of rivers and streams, colourful parks, mighty church towers and blossoming trees set the tone for your short holiday in the eastern Münsterland.
It is well worth travelling to Oelde a day before the cycle tour. The Four Seasons Park is just as tempting as the beer museum and the beer garden at Pott's Brewery. But then it's finally time to get on the bike and set off on the first 50-kilometre stage. The small town of Stromberg is known for its castle ruins and the fantastic view of the surrounding area. From the vantage point "Auf dem Berge" you can see thousands of plum trees.
A detour takes you to the Haus Nottbeck cultural estate. The historic manor is now home to the Museum of Westphalian Literature. Tables and benches under fruit trees invite you to take a break. On your way towards Wadersloh, nature takes over. Wide landscapes, interrupted by stately farmsteads, characterise the panorama. Liesborn Abbey offers interesting insights into the art and cultural history of the region.
At the Heerfeld manor and Hovestadt Castle, the imposing testimonies to great architecture are impressive. The real stars, however, are the parks. Haus Heerfeld surprises with its sculptures and beautifully designed figures in the old garden, while at Hovestadt Castle mighty trees and hedges characterise the baroque garden. Even before that, the river Lippe has joined your side. Again and again, views open up of the river steeped in history with its magnificent landscapes.
Even today, the ruins of Stromberg Castle give an idea of how imposing the fortifications built by Charlemagne must once have been. Remains of the ring wall, a castle mansion and the Paulus Tower today form the backdrop for magnificent distant views over the landscape adorned with plum trees.
Surrounded by meadows, fields and fruit trees, the former manor Haus Nottbeck is the perfect place to slow down. Just the right atmosphere to immerse yourself in the world of Westphalian literature - not for nothing does Haus Nottbeck bear the epithet "cultural estate".
The Liesborn Abbey Museum enjoys an excellent reputation not only among culture lovers. Interesting exhibitions in a historical ambience invite you to take an extended break on your bike tour.
A knight's estate like something out of a picture book. But that was not always the case. Only since the turn of the millennium has the estate been carefully restored. The result is a real gem that can be visited by appointment.
The imposing Hovestadt Castle is located directly on the banks of the Lippe. The jewel of the grounds is the magnificent baroque garden. Situated on a peninsula, the paths wind under large trees and through elegant hedges. The Heckentheater is considered one of the most beautiful in Münsterland.
After your overnight stay in Lippetal, today's route takes you over 38 kilometres via Beckum back to Oelde. The first stop along the cycle path is Assen Castle, surrounded by small forests. If you are lucky, you can take part in a guided tour of the historic building. You can enjoy a great distant view from the Höxberg. The view stretches over the town of Beckum and the Münsterland region all the way to the Soester Börde. At this point you should plan a short detour to the windmill below the Höxberg . The 19th-century mill fits perfectly into the landscape and is a popular photo motif.
In Beckum, parkland and industrial culture meet. The historic town hall with its market square contrasts nicely with your next destination. Phoenix Park illustrates the transformation from quarry to active park. A recreation area for locals and visitors. A round of mini-golf, climbing or a relaxed picnic herald the last kilometres to Oelde. Once again, the path leads you through green forests and meadows and lives up to the name of the cycle tour.
The moated castle of Assen could tell stories. The historic building has been watching over the landscape in southern Münsterland for a thousand years. The castle, like Hovestadt Castle, is a wonderful example of Lippe Renaissance architecture.
The Höxberg offers an incomparable view over the region around Beckum. At a height of 162 metres, it towers over the flat landscape of the Münsterland and on clear days offers a view as far as the Sauerland. Its landmark is the windmill built in 1853. The mill was in operation until 1956 and is still a magnificent sight today.
A wonderful place for relaxation and adventure has been created on the grounds of the former state garden show. Various themed gardens are grouped around the large lake and create a colourful picture from spring to autumn. Cosy seating areas invite you to linger and relax.
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.
Perfectly located in the heart of Oelde , the modern Hotel Engbert is the ideal starting point for your bike tour. Only five minutes away from the cycle path, the hotel offers 43 rooms, a sauna, fitness room and a cosy breakfast room.
The rooms at Haus Tourneur in Lippe Valley are individually designed. The small house, lovingly run by the owners, impresses with its quiet location and many small details. You will find numerous gastronomic offers in the nearby surroundings.
This cycle tour also offers you culinary treasures. Regional cuisine from hearty to modern - the chefs on the route know their trade.
The Willenbrink Inn in Lippetal can look back on 230 years of hospitality. And there will be many more years to come. Enjoy the evening on the terrace or let yourself be spoilt with regional specialities in the stylish restaurant.
Regional products are also the focus of the restaurant "Bei Kliewe im Westfälischen Hof" in the heart of Beckum. The menu changes with the seasons and guarantees fresh ingredients for small and large culinary delights. In fine weather, the beer garden "Das Achterdeck" is your favourite place.
Pott's brewery belongs to Oelde like castles belong to Münsterland. "Pott's Leeze" - the Münsterland Radler - seems made for you. But the other types of beer also always show their connection to Münsterland. And when the beer garden is open, no wishes remain unfulfilled.
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