Road of 100 Castles - Münsterland
Germany, Netherlands Bike Tours
Castles and charm on a bike tour in Germany
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7–8 days
- Prices from€729 Rates
Overview
On this bike tour in Germany (and on the 8-day version you actually venture into Holland), you will cycle through beautiful villages and farmland with views of castles, baroque palaces, former courts, and ancient country estates.
The traditional German word "Pättkes" is used to describe the small paths leading slightly off the beaten track that people have been using for decades. This sparsely populated area of countryside, dotted with farms surrounded by stately oaks and characterized by flat fields, pastures, and meadows, is like a giant park, harmoniously landscaped yet offering incredible variety.
The history of this lovely region stretches right back to Roman times with a number of relics from a turbulent past. You will find something to suit every taste, at every age. At the end of the day, you can share your cycling tour highlights over a meal featuring excellent regional specialties and savor the hearty German beer!
Highlights
- Münster
- Münster Castle and historic townhall
- Wasserburg Hülshoff
- Darfeld Castle
- Varlar Castle
- St. Lamberti Church with its Baroque tower
- Vischering Castle in Lüdinghausen
- Seppenrade, one of the Village of Roses
- Longinusturm, the highest peak in Münsterland
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Itinerary
7 Day Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Münster
Day 2: Münster - Billerbeck, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 3: Billerbeck round trip, 29 mi. (46 km)
Day 4: Billerbeck - Lüdinghausen, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Lüdinghausen round trip, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 6: Lüdinghausen - Münster, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 7: Departure from MünsterDay 1: Arrival in Münster
Münster, a perfect starting point, enchants with old gabled houses, art museums, the cathedral, the Peace Hall, the principal market, Lake Aa, student pubs and so much more. Come early and take a tour by bike in the city center of Münster.
Accommodation: 4-star Hotel MövenpickDay 2: Münster - Billerbeck, 22 mi. (35 km)
Be sure to walk around the old town of Münster on the famous promenade, past the castle, before you cycle out of the city into the green Münsterland parkland. Take a worthwhile break on "Rüschhaus House" with the Droste-Hulshoff Museum and Castle Hülshoff with an extensive park system. Visit Havixbeck the interesting sandstone museum and make a stop in one of the lovely cafes and pubs along the way. The highest peak in the whole Münsterland is the Longinusturm, with its fantastic panoramic view and a real highlight at this stage. Your day's destination is medieval Billerbeck, nestled in the mountain range of Baumberge.Accommodation: 4-star Hotel Domschenke
Enjoy the furnished rooms with attention to detail and the fine cuisine of the house.Day 3: Billerbeck round trip, 29 mi. (46 km)
Through the lovely parkland of Westmünsterland you will cycle to the enchanting castle Darfeld and the chateau Varlar, which are both privately inhabited. Sparse forests accompany you to the beautiful city of Coesfeld. Try to visit the Lamberti church in the central square and take a break in the quaint local pub brewery, Stephanus. In the afternoon you will reach the foothills of the Baumerge, passing remote farms, and then you cycle along the Berkel back to Billerbeck.Day 4: Billerbeck - Lüdinghausen, 28 mi. (45 km)
There is much to see on this day! Nottuln, with its historic Baroque center, whose Stiftsplatz is considered one of the most beautiful places in the Münster region for one. Visit the oldest blue printing plant in Westphalia and watch the production of blankets and curtains. You continue then on the famous "Castle Route" and cycle through open fields and meadows to the Castle Senden, passing Castle Kakesbeck to Lüdinghausen with its medieval fortress 'Burg Vischering'. The castle with its drawbridge is one of the most beautiful castles in Germany.Accommodation: Charming City Hotel No. 11
You will find the charming Stadthotel No. 11 tucked away in the middle of the pedestrian precinct. Although newly constructed in 2014 the building blends perfectly with the surrounding old town thanks to the use of materials from other historic buildings. This hotel has been honored status in the Michelin Guide, achieving one of the highest accolades, shown as a small red house, which denotes a particularly comfortable hotel.Day 5: Lüdinghausen round trip, 28 mi. (45 km)
After a few kilometers, you will reach Castle Nordkirchen, also know as the "Westphalian Versailles". Not only is the interior with ornate plaster ceilings, the precious paintings, the tall columns, the black marble fireplaces are worth seeing, but also the extensive park with its beautiful gardens and the Orangery. You then cycle to Selm, where at the beach on Ternscher See you can go for a refreshing swim. You then bike in the afternoon on the "Castle Route" route back to Lüdinghausen.Day 6: Lüdinghausen - Münster, 24 mi. (39 km)
This morning, following the famous "Pättkes" through the typical parkland landscape, you reach the small town of Ottmarsbocholt, with its historic grain windmill. On the "Castle Route" you cycle to the Dortmund-Ems Canal, which is the largest stretch of water through the Munsterland and leads you now to Münster. Enjoy the last few kilometers of the trip through the "Old Port" of the city, which in recent years has become the most popular meeting place for students due to the multiple eateries.Accommodation: varies
Day 7: Departure from Münster
With many memories and impressions of your ride through the heart of the Münsterland, your tour ends after breakfast and check-out.8 Day Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Münster
Day 2: Münster - Schöppingen, 51 km
Day 3: Schöppingen - Zwillbrock, 60 km
Day 4: Zwillbrock - Bocholt, 49 km
Day 5: Bocholt - Coesfeld, 63 km
Day 6: Coesfeld - Lüdinghausen, 52 km
Day 7: Lüdinghausen - Münster, 55 km
Day 8: Departure from MünsterView all our featured bike trips, specials, and news along with 100s of other other bike tours in Europe.
Hotels & Bikes
On the 7 day tour, you stay in stylishly decorated hotels with a special flair and on the 8-day tour, you have a choice, between Category A (comfortable middle-class hotels) and Category B (smaller family-run inns and hotels).
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations in double/twin room with private bath
- Breakfast
- 27-speed touring bicycle (high handlebars and upright riding position) in either men or women’s frames equipped with gel saddle, chain guard, and waterproof pannier.
- Luggage transfer
- Route book and map (German language) and tourist information (English)
- Signposted route
- Preloaded GPS device or GPS tracks
- 7 day hotline
What’s Not Included
- Individual arrival to your first hotel
- Security deposit for GPS rental
- Meals other than breakfast
- Tourist tax to be paid at hotel locally
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2021
7-day tour
Every Sunday from April 18 to October 17, 2021
Season 1: April 18 to April 25 & October 3 to October 17, 2021
Season 2: May 5 to September 26, 20218-day tour
Every Saturday and Sunday from April 17 to October 17, 2021
Season 1: April 17 to April 25 & October 2 to October 17, 2021
Season 2: May 1 to September 26, 2021Special departure dates can be arranged for groups of at least 6.
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
7 Day Tour
Season 1
Twin/double: $ 1217 £ 637 $ 1,087 € 729 kr 111773 ₪ 3044 ¥ 125405 Mex$ 13615 NZ$ 1338 NOK 8772 zł 3213 S$ 1083 kr 8702 $ 795
Single room: $ 1546 £ 809 $ 1,381 € 926 kr 141978 ₪ 3866 ¥ 159293 Mex$ 17294 NZ$ 1700 NOK 11142 zł 4081 S$ 1376 kr 11053 $ 1,010
Season 2
Twin/double: $ 1316 £ 688 $ 1,175 € 788 kr 120819 ₪ 3290 ¥ 135554 Mex$ 14717 NZ$ 1447 NOK 9481 zł 3473 S$ 1171 kr 9406 $ 860
Single room: $ 1645 £ 860 $ 1,469 € 985 kr 151024 ₪ 4112 ¥ 169442 Mex$ 18396 NZ$ 1808 NOK 11852 zł 4341 S$ 1464 kr 11757 $ 1,074
8 Day Tour
Season 1
Category A Category B Twin/double $ 1296 £ 678 $ 1,157 € 776 kr 118979 ₪ 3240 ¥ 133490 Mex$ 14493 NZ$ 1425 NOK 9337 zł 3420 S$ 1153 kr 9263 $ 846 $ 1196 £ 625 $ 1,068 € 716 kr 109780 ₪ 2989 ¥ 123168 Mex$ 13372 NZ$ 1314 NOK 8615 zł 3155 S$ 1064 kr 8546 $ 781 Single room $ 1663 £ 870 $ 1,485 € 996 kr 152711 ₪ 4158 ¥ 171335 Mex$ 18602 NZ$ 1828 NOK 11984 zł 4389 S$ 1480 kr 11889 $ 1,086 $ 1424 £ 745 $ 1,272 € 853 kr 130785 ₪ 3561 ¥ 146735 Mex$ 15931 NZ$ 1566 NOK 10264 zł 3759 S$ 1267 kr 10182 $ 930 Season 2
Category A Category B Twin/double $ 1403 £ 734 $ 1,252 € 840 kr 128792 ₪ 3507 ¥ 144499 Mex$ 15688 NZ$ 1542 NOK 10107 zł 3702 S$ 1248 kr 10027 $ 916 $ 1244 £ 651 $ 1,111 € 745 kr 114226 ₪ 3110 ¥ 128157 Mex$ 13914 NZ$ 1368 NOK 8964 zł 3283 S$ 1107 kr 8893 $ 813 Single room $ 1770 £ 926 $ 1,580 € 1060 kr 162524 ₪ 4426 ¥ 182344 Mex$ 19797 NZ$ 1946 NOK 12754 zł 4671 S$ 1575 kr 12652 $ 1,156 $ 1473 £ 770 $ 1,315 € 882 kr 135232 ₪ 3682 ¥ 151724 Mex$ 16473 NZ$ 1619 NOK 10612 zł 3887 S$ 1311 kr 10528 $ 962 Extra Options
Electric bicycle: $ 184 £ 96 $ 164 € 110 kr 16866 ₪ 459 ¥ 18922 Mex$ 2054 NZ$ 202 NOK 1324 zł 485 S$ 163 kr 1313 $ 120
Deposit for GPS rental with tracks: $ 83 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7666 ₪ 209 ¥ 8601 Mex$ 934 NZ$ 92 NOK 602 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 597 $ 55
Extra nights in Münster
7-day tour
Twin/double: $ 130 £ 68 $ 116 € 78 kr 11959 ₪ 326 ¥ 13418 Mex$ 1457 NZ$ 143 NOK 939 zł 344 S$ 116 kr 931 $ 85
Single room: $ 184 £ 96 $ 164 € 110 kr 16866 ₪ 459 ¥ 18922 Mex$ 2054 NZ$ 202 NOK 1324 zł 485 S$ 163 kr 1313 $ 120
8-day tour
Category A Category B Twin/double $ 120 £ 63 $ 107 € 72 kr 11039 ₪ 301 ¥ 12386 Mex$ 1345 NZ$ 132 NOK 866 zł 317 S$ 107 kr 859 $ 79 $ 100 £ 52 $ 89 € 60 kr 9199 ₪ 251 ¥ 10321 Mex$ 1121 NZ$ 110 NOK 722 zł 264 S$ 89 kr 716 $ 65 Single room $ 177 £ 93 $ 158 € 106 kr 16252 ₪ 443 ¥ 18234 Mex$ 1980 NZ$ 195 NOK 1275 zł 467 S$ 158 kr 1265 $ 116 $ 162 £ 85 $ 145 € 97 kr 14872 ₪ 405 ¥ 16686 Mex$ 1812 NZ$ 178 NOK 1167 zł 427 S$ 144 kr 1158 $ 106 Child discounts are available.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
Depending on what length tour you choose, you will have an easy to moderate holiday. The 8-day version has longer daily distances and therefore has been given a moderate rating. The Münsterland is crisscrossed by well-maintained bicycle paths and small roads that are suitable for cycling. Also, forest paths, hiking trails and roads are built into the cycle network and offer great variety in the saddle. You cycle along the typical “Pättkes”, mostly on flat paved roads and sometimes on forest and hiking trails. No worries about getting lost in Münsterland’s parks because it is the first region in Europe that consistently signposted its cycling network with over 4,500-km of bike trails.
Airport Info
The most practical international airport to arrive to for your tour start in Münster is Düsseldorf (DUS). Another option is the smaller but closer Münster Osnabrueck International Airport (FMO).
Local Travel
Düsseldorf (DUS):
There are two train stations in the Düsseldorf Airport, both inter city and regional. Train travel is approximately 1 1/2 hours and cost about €20. Taxi to first hotel. Münster Osnabrueck International Airport (FMO) Bus to Münster City Center. Travel time is 45 minutes. Cost is approx. €7.60. Taxi to first hotel.Climate
Please check local conditions before arrival. In Munster, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy. If you travel in the spring, be sure to plan on layering as the average temperature in °F in April is 46°. Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit Munster for general outdoor activities is from late June to late August, with a peak score in the first week of August.
Day of Rest
If the tour is started on Saturday, clients may choose to remain an extra night on any one of the days.
Remarks
You will be provided with a GPS device from Garmin for the entire duration of your trip. Instead of reading the map and written directions, “simply” follow the route shown on the preset device. You will receive the device, together with a short briefing, at the reception desk of your initial hotel. A security deposit of €50 is required for the device.
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.Extra Stay
Additional nights possible in Münster before or after tour.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Velociped.
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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