Salty, mountainous and romantic - is that possible in one bike tour? On our 140-kilometre bike tour through northern Münsterland, every day is a new discovery. From fabulous castles, your path leads you through charming villages to the banks of the Ems and the Middleland Canal and up to the heights of the Tecklenburger Land. Grandiose views and small natural wonders accompany you on your bike tour and exude "Landlust".
The very first pedal turns take you out of Steinfurt and onto today's 41-kilometre stage towards Rheine. The typical Münsterland park landscape quickly surrounds you, interrupted only by a few farms. Hidden in a small forest is the romantic Haus Welbergen. This historic building is still a real "insider tip".
Rural in character and adorned by small rivers and lakes, the next few kilometres of the cycle tour contrast nicely with the bustling city centre of Rheine. Although Rheine is the second largest city in the region, it exudes a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere on the banks of the Ems and around the market square. The historic Falkenhof and the beautiful Bentlage Monastery are further highlights of the tour. And when the storks make their circles through the "salty" air around the salt works, the day is perfect.
Haus Welbergen appears almost like a fairytale. Surrounded by a small forest, mighty walls watch over the historic moated castle. The real treasure awaits you in the inner courtyard. Perennials and roses in all shapes and colours transform the small park into a sea of blossoms.
The Falkenhof in Rheine is considered the nucleus of the town. Even today, the beautiful market square is in the immediate vicinity. Founded by Charlemagne, the Falkenhof looks back on an eventful history. A tour of the town museum in the Falkenhof is worthwhile during your cycle tour.
High tea in a cosy atmosphere and homemade cake under apple trees. Benlage Monastery promises not only cultural delights, but also culinary treats. Surrounded by meadows and sparse forests, a visit to the exhibitions within the historic walls is always an experience.
Salt is in the air! At the Rheine salt flats you can really take a deep breath. The water slowly drips through the maze of blackthorn branches while you relax and close your eyes in the sun. But the break shouldn't last too long. The surrounding park beckons with colourful flowers and mighty trees. You can learn even more "salty" stories on a guided tour.
Today you will cycle from the highlights around Rheine to the highlands in the Tecklenburger Land. You will reach the extensive woodlands around the Surenburg in Hörstel via beautiful cycle paths. The lovely landscape continues to the"Wet Triangle" near Bevergern. On the peninsula between the Dortmund-Ems Canal and the Mittelland Canal, you can watch the passing ships during a short break. Maybe you'll leave your bike for a while and walk over the "Bevergerner Steg" into the small town with its historic farmhouses.
The sun is shining and you fancy a picnic? At the DA, Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst, you can even buy creatively designed picnic blankets and try them out directly in the park. The monastery has become a well-known location for unusual art projects. Around the historic walls, the boundaries of visit and art bl ur - let yourself be surprised. The blue ribbon of the Ibbenbürener Aa is now your companion all the way to Ibbenbüren.
After romantic and salty, your cycle tour now becomes mountainous. To be honest, the "mountains" around Tecklenburg are more like hills. The metres in altitude are definitely worth it. Not only the old town of Tecklenburg is worth a visit - the distant views over the green Münsterland and the wildly romantic spa gardens will quickly make you forget the "efforts" of the 42-kilometre stage.
Whoever thinks of the Surenburg also thinks of great equestrian sport. Important tournaments are regularly held on the large grounds. The beautiful circular path is highly recommended here, which leads once around the grounds and allows different views of the castle and garden.
The DA, Kunsthaus Kloster Gravenhorst is not only a cultural highlight of the cycle tour, but also a great place for a break. In the cosy Café Clara or at a picnic in the spacious park - here, enjoyment and art are combined in the most beautiful way. However, you should definitely not miss a visit to the exhibition.
The old town of Tecklenburg, high above Münsterland, is a real gem. The half-timbered houses nestle along the narrow streets and make you forget everyday life and the metres in altitude. Wonderful views over the region and an ice cream in the market square bring this day to a close.
At the start of the third stage, it's time to say goodbye to Tecklenburg. But not before stopping at Haus Marck. The beautiful moated castle is nestled in a meadow landscape and is the worthwhile prelude to the 58-kilometre-long final stage.
Sonnenhügelsee and Buddenkuhle, small lakes along the way, glisten in the sun on your way to Ladbergen. Through the Hüttrup Heath you reach Greven and celebrate a reunion with the Ems. This time, however, you don't follow the river, but reach the Bispinghof culture island near Nordwalde. A good opportunity to recharge your batteries for the last few kilometres to Steinfurt.
Once again, it's worth getting off your bike to explore the Bagno Park, already within sight of Steinfurt. A boat ride across the glistening waters is a nice change of pace. Across the visual axis of the large avenue, Steinfurt's moated castle appears from afar. The privately owned castle is also almost the end point of your cycle tour. Only a few metres further on, you have reached Steinfurt's market square in the centre of the town.
The history of Haus Marck goes back to the 13th century. Today it enriches the 100 Castles Route and can even be visited on a guided tour (Saturdays at 10 and 11 am). Regardless of the day of the week - the location in a valley meadow below Tecklenburg is downright picturesque.
The historic concert gallery is the focal point of the Steinfurt Bagno. The former "pleasure garden" from the 18th century is now an oasis of peace with woods, meadows, lakes and an extensive network of paths. The concert gallery has lost none of its splendour and offers top-class classical concerts.
The moated castle of Steinfurt rises mightily between the park and the town and marks the end of your cycle tour. The romantic gatehouse is probably the perfect motif for a final photo. At the same time, the castle is the entrance to the old town and the spacious market square. The cafés and restaurants in the alleys of the town are ideal for a last stop.
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 .
The Hotel Lücke in Rheine welcomes you directly on the banks of the Ems. The hospitable and modern rooms and the lively "SunDays" restaurant provide the right ambience for your stopover in Rheine. And if you're just looking for relaxation, the relaxation room and sauna will tempt you.
In the picturesque district of Brochterbeck, the excellent Ringhotel Teutoburger Wald welcomes you about 5 kilometres from Tecklenburg . After your cycling tour, let yourself be pampered with culinary delights and relax in the hotel's wellness area. In addition to various saunas, the indoor pool is the centrepiece of the wellness oasis. And the next morning, an extensive breakfast welcomes you to start the day.
Do you want to stay one or more nights in Steinfurt? In Burgsteinfurt and Borghorst you will find a wide range of accommodation options.
Spread out your picnic blanket. The Bentlage and Gravenhorst monasteries not only offer cosy cafés with all kinds of delicacies on the menu, but also the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed picnic in the park. Your picnic basket will be packed for you on site. Tip: It's best to order in advance!
By the way: Gravenhorst Monastery lends out 15 handmade, site-specific picnic blankets by Berlin artist An Seebach for your picnic in the park.
Arriving by train:
The Steinfurt-Burgsteinfurt and Steinfurt-Borghorst railway stations are regularly served by trains from Münster, Enschede and Gronau. Münster station offers train connections to all regions of Germany.
Travelling by car
The best way to get to Steinfurt is via the B54 trunk road, which is directly connected to the A31 motorway (Steinfurt exit) and the A1 motorway (Münster-Nord exit).
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