Münster & the Surroundings
Germany Bike Tours
Park landscape & moated castles of the Münsterland
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length3–5 days
- Prices from€497 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This bike tour in Germany is based in Münster, the "city of bicycles". The entire surrounding region features one of Germany's most extensive networks of bike paths. Once former smuggler's routes and agricultural roads, these "Pättken" form an extensive cycling infrastructure perfect for scenic and leisure cycling.
This is a tour for those who love farmlands, manors, nature, moats, and castles but who love the energy of the city as well.
In addition to the outlying lands, Münster offers a wealth of cultural and historical attractions that can be explored by bike. Discover the charm of the Prinzipalmarkt with its gabled buildings and enjoy a cup of coffee right on the Domplatz.
From your 4* accommodation, you can choose from six different bike trips around Münster highlighting the palaces, castles, and manors of the surrounding region. The sixth option leads through Münster's most beautiful district to various sculpture projects.
The minimum stay is 3 days/2 nights. We recommend extending your travel time so you can discover all the interesting places in and around Münster.
Highlights
- Lively, historic Münster
- Flexibility in your cycling days
- The pilgrimage town of Telgte
- Longinusturm Tower and views over Münsterland
- Werserradweg (cycling trail)
- Skulptur Projekte
- Rieselfelder, a European bird protection area
- Picturesque nature, legendary castles, and signposted cycling
Be sure to take a look at all our bike tours in Germany
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Münster
Arrive in Münster and settle in at your hotel and you can then begin your exploration of this energetic university city. The historical city center is a highlight with its charming Prinzipalmarkt square, lined with 48 gabled buildings. The Salzstrasse, or "salt road", is the oldest mercantile street in the city. Once a trade route, it is now the main shopping district. It is a dedicated pedestrian area buzzing with activity.Your subsequent days are entirely up to you! You will be provided route descriptions for seven different cycling itineraries and you decide!
- Tour 1: Haus Langen – Telgte, 29 mi. (47 km)
This route initially leads to the Dortmund-Ems Canal and through Boniburgerwald. This pleasant stretch along the Werse River takes you into the suburb of Handorf, also known as the "Dorf der großen Kaffeekannen" or “village of the large coffee pots” as it has always been an attractive destination for the inhabitants of Münster. Shortly after crossing the Ems, you come across Haus Langen and the adjacent natural protection area. You can take in nature with a range of viewing towers, platforms, and benches. Cycling through this green landscape, you will arrive in the small pilgrimage town of Telgte with its small half-timbered houses, a beautiful market square, and the Baroque pilgrimage chapel. The route back to Münster leads through the Emsauerpark and the Delsener Heide to the farming community of Kasewinkel. It is worth taking a break at the historical country inn, Pleistermühle, before you return to the city of Münster along the tree-lined shores of the Werse River.
- Tour 2: Schloss Senden – Senden, 29 mi. (46 km)
This tour takes you along the Aasee via Mecklenbeck and Albachten to Schloss Senden. The route back is along the Dortmund-Ems-Kanals, past the enchanted Venner Moor and the Hitruper See. From the Aasee, you reach the suburb of Mecklenbeck. Passing Haus Ruhr, a seat of nobility from the 18th century, built by Johann Conrad Schlaun the route leads through woods and meadows to the Stever and the castle with its lovely café. Alternatively, you can stop off at Hof Grothues-Potthoff, which offers regional dishes and a wide selection of cakes. Just past Senden, you join the Dortmund-Ems canal and cycle past Hiltruper See and the harbor back to Münster.
- Tour 3: Baumberge / Longinusturm – Havixbeck, 30 mi. (48 km)
On this route, you cycle into the Baumberge hills, the highest point of Münsterland, to the Longinusturm Tower, constructed on the highest point in Münsterland (188 m). During the journey, you come across Burg Hülshoff with its lovely parkland and café, as well as Vögeding. The Longinusturm provides a spectacular view over Münsterland. The tower was constructed at the start of the 20th Century and is of the typical lime sandstone of the Baumberg hills. The return route, mostly downhill, takes you through the beautiful parkland back to the city.
- Tour 4: Burg Hülshoff, 17 mi. (27 km)
This cycling excursion leads to one of the most well-known castles in Münsterland, Burg Hülshoff. But first, you cycle to Schloss Münster. Schloss Münster is by far the largest property in Münster and since 1954 has housed the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität. Behind the castle are the Botanical Gardens in the park. As you continue out of Münster, the route leads past Haus Rüschhaus to Burg Hülshoff, the birthplace and childhood home of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. The return route is through Roxel to Aasee Lake back to the hotel.
- Tour 5: Burg Schöneflieth – Greven, 27 mi. (44 km)
The promenade will loop around to the Buddenturm, the last remaining part of the old city wall. Through the historic Kreuzviertel, you cross over the Aa to Rieselfelder, a European bird protection area. It provides endangered species of birds with refuge and is a popular destination for the inhabitants of Münster. Just before Greven, you come across the ruins of Burg Schöneflieth. You can then decide whether to visit the Sachsenhof open-air museum or go back to Münster. On the way back, the route follows the canal to the Münster locks and then through the Erphoviertel back to the hotel.
- Tour 6: Münster – Sculpture Projects, 11 mi. (18 km)
Today you will experience art in the open. The 'Skulptur Projekte' art exhibition takes place in Münster every 10 years. Some of the sculptures then become a fixed part of the urban landscape. Along with the 'Skulptur Projekte', there are other installations that you can visit. You start off cycling towards Aasee, a large artificial lake in the center of Münster with lovely lakeside paths. Here you will find the 'Giant Pool Balls' by Claes Oldenburg, perhaps the most well-known work of the Skulptur Projekte. Past the Wilhelms-Universität you continue to the promenade, a car-free boulevard laid along the city's old ring of fortifications and which takes you along a shady path once round the city center. It is worth visiting the Friedensaal in the Town Hall, St. Pauls Dom with the world clock, or one of the many museums.
- Tour 7: Hohe Ward – Lake Hiltrup, 20 mi. (31 km)
You pedal along the Dortmund-Ems Canal to the forest area of Hohe Ward and onward to Hiltruper See. The Hohe Ward serves as a local recreation area. Shady paths lead through the nature reserve of Wolbecker Tiergarten to the stunningly beautiful Werserradweg (cycling trail). The way back passes the Drostenhof, a manor house dating back to the 16th century. Returning, you follow the picturesque meandering Werse River leading to the gates of Münster. After a short detour in Lütkenbeck, it is back to the hotel.
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- Tour 1: Haus Langen – Telgte, 29 mi. (47 km)
Map
Hotels & Bikes
There are two options for accommodations.
The 4-star Kaiserhof Hotel is located directly across from the Münster Main Station. The hotel offers spa services including a steam bath, a bio sauna, and a Finnish sauna. You will be accommodated in a superior room.
You can upgrade to the 4-star Atlantic Hotel, centrally located in Münster between the railway station and the Promenade. Unique in Münster and throughout the city is the bar on the 6th floor with a fantastic view over the historic city center.Bicycles
Hybrid Bicycle
Exclusive for tour provider
- Aluminum step-through frame
- Small, medium, large frame sizes
- Front suspension
- Small, medium, large frame size
- Shimano 7 speed gearing
- Coaster brake
- Padded comfort saddle
- Rear rack
- LED front & rear lights via battery operation
- Bottle cage
Accessories
- One 20 liters pannier bag
- Speedometer
Electric Bike
Velo de Ville Electric Bike
- Aluminum step-through frame
- Small, medium, large frame sizes
- Front suspension
- Small, medium, large frame size
- Shimano 8-speed gearing
- Bosch Active Plus motor
- 500 watt battery
- 80 - 150 km range
- Coaster brake
- Padded comfort saddle
- LED front & rear lights via battery operation
- Rear rack
- Bottle cage
Accessories
- One 20 liters pannier bag
- Speedometer
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 4 nights in a 4-star hotel
- Breakfast
- Tour descriptions & map
- Tourist information
- 7-speed touring bike
- App-supported navigation
- Service hotline
- Tours according to the program
- Local tourist tax
What’s Not Included
- Lunches & dinners
- Entrance fees
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals are possible from April 1 through September 30, 2023
Minimum number of participants: 2
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2023
Season 1: April 1 to April 24 | July 2 to August 25
Season 2: April 25 to July 1 | August 26 to September 30Season 1 Season 2 Twin/double $ 839 £ 442 $ 729 € 497 kr 73769 ₪ 2058 ¥ 80159 Mex$ 9940 NZ$ 907 NOK 5828 kr 6021 $ 541 $ 907 £ 477 $ 788 € 537 kr 79706 ₪ 2224 ¥ 86610 Mex$ 10740 NZ$ 980 NOK 6297 kr 6505 $ 584 Single supplement $ 277 £ 146 $ 241 € 164 kr 24342 ₪ 679 ¥ 26451 Mex$ 3280 NZ$ 299 NOK 1923 kr 1987 $ 178 $ 355 £ 187 $ 308 € 210 kr 31170 ₪ 870 ¥ 33870 Mex$ 4200 NZ$ 383 NOK 2463 kr 2544 $ 228 Upgrade to Atlantik Hotel (Season 1 & 2) $ 245 £ 129 $ 213 € 145 kr 21522 ₪ 600 ¥ 23386 Mex$ 2900 NZ$ 265 NOK 1700 kr 1756 $ 158 Extra Options
Bike rental options
E-bike $ 127 £ 67 $ 110 € 75 kr 11132 ₪ 311 ¥ 12096 Mex$ 1500 NZ$ 137 NOK 879 kr 909 $ 82 Bike rental extension (per day) $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1484 ₪ 41 ¥ 1613 Mex$ 200 NZ$ 18 NOK 117 kr 121 $ 11 E bike rental extension (per day) $ 59 £ 31 $ 51 € 35 kr 5195 ₪ 145 ¥ 5645 Mex$ 700 NZ$ 64 NOK 410 kr 424 $ 38 Dinner included
Half board (dinners included) $ 319 £ 168 $ 277 € 189 kr 28053 ₪ 783 ¥ 30483 Mex$ 3780 NZ$ 345 NOK 2216 kr 2289 $ 206 Half board extension $ 76 £ 40 $ 66 € 45 kr 6679 ₪ 186 ¥ 7258 Mex$ 900 NZ$ 82 NOK 528 kr 545 $ 49 Extra nights
Extra night Hotel Kaiserhof
Twin/double $ 145 £ 76 $ 126 € 86 kr 12765 ₪ 356 ¥ 13871 Mex$ 1720 NZ$ 157 NOK 1008 kr 1042 $ 94 Single supplement $ 76 £ 40 $ 66 € 45 kr 6679 ₪ 186 ¥ 7258 Mex$ 900 NZ$ 82 NOK 528 kr 545 $ 49 Extra night Atlantic Hotel
Twin/double $ 167 £ 88 $ 145 € 99 kr 14694 ₪ 410 ¥ 15967 Mex$ 1980 NZ$ 181 NOK 1161 kr 1199 $ 108 Single supplement $ 76 £ 40 $ 66 € 45 kr 6679 ₪ 186 ¥ 7258 Mex$ 900 NZ$ 82 NOK 528 kr 545 $ 49 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
The route is predominately flat to slightly hilly and is over mostly tarmac cycle paths, paved tracks through fields and woods, with only a few sections over dirt roads.
Airport Info
The closest international airport to your tour start is Münster Osnabrück International Airport (FMO). It is a small airport located 30 km north of Münster.
Local Travel
Regular buses operate from outside the terminal into Münster. The S50 Express bus is the quickest option, taking about 45 minutes and costing approximately €7. The X150 service to Osnabrück central station takes 40 minutes and costs approximately €10. Both routes operate regularly throughout the day.
Climate
Germany on average has a temperate climate throughout the country. In Münster, from May through September the weather is very conducive to cycling. Even all through April and October, the weather, though cooler, is also favorable. Münster is known as the “city of bicycles” and the entire atmosphere in the city and the surroundings is extremely bicycle-friendly.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements, and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Travelydays.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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