Southern Münsterland
Germany Bike Tours
Rivers, castles, & enchantment
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7 days
- Prices from€953 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
On this bike tour in Germany, you will cycle through the beautiful villages and farmland of Westphalia. The history of this lovely region reaches back to Roman times and its turbulent history is evident in the landscape and landmarks of the region. Your itinerary features castles, baroque palaces, former courts, and ancient country estates.
On the majority of days, two distance options are offered. The shorter route features more relaxed cycling. On either route, you will have time to take a closer look at the castles and palaces and linger at quaint cafés.
The "Pättkes" or traditional small cycle paths lead slightly off the beaten track and through a sparsely populated area of the countryside. Dotted with farms, flat fields, pastures, and meadows, the region is like a giant park, harmoniously landscaped yet offering incredible variety.
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
- Castle and historical town hall of Münster
- Forest area of Davert
- Castle Davensburg, Castle Nordkirchen (Wesphalia's Versailles), Lüdinghausen moated castle
- Nature reserve of Ichterloh
- Haus Klein-Schoenebeck estate
- Typical Westphalian architecture
- Cycling rural Münsterland
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Münster
Day 2: Münster – Davensberg, 21 or 36 mi. (33 or 58 km)
Day 3: Davensberg – Lüdinghausen, 24 or 31 mi. (39 or 49 km)
Day 4: Lüdinghausen – Senden, 24 or 36 mi. (39 or 58 km)
Day 5: Senden – Billerbeck, 21 or 32 mi. (33 or 51 km)
Day 6: Billerbeck – Münster, 24 mi. (38 km)
Day 7: MünsterAll distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the route, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions.
Day 1: Arrival in Münster
Upon arrival to Munster, you may check in to your hotel at 3 p.m. You can settle in and visit the nearby city center as your bike will be available this day at 10 a.m. At Prinzipalmarket, lined with its gabled houses, the village square, and the green Promenadenring, you will get your first glance at this charming city.Sample Accommodations: Hotel Kaiserhof or Atlantic Hotel (for additional cost)
Day 2: Münster – Davensberg, 21 or 36 mi. (33 or 58 km)
Follow the route along the Dortmund-Ems Canal and Boniburger Wald to reach Telgte, a quaint pilgrimage town on the Ems River with a Baroque chapel and a bustling market square. Continue through fields and meadows along a scenic cycle route to Pleistermühle, a historic spot along the Werse River with a country inn and beer garden. Enjoy views of the historic estates, Haus Bispink and Haus Borg. End the day meandering through the Davert forest.Sample Accommodation- Hotel Clemens-August
Day 3: Davensberg – Lüdinghausen, 24 or 31 mi. (39 or 49 km)
Today’s stage has two divine moated castles. First up, the Baroque Castle Westerwinkel. Then, through the Ichterloh Nature Reserve with its beautiful picnic place and 1,000-year-old oak, you soon reach Castle Nordkirchen, also referred to as “Westphalia’s Versailles” and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not only is the interior with ornate plaster ceilings, precious paintings, tall columns, and black marble fireplaces are worth seeing, but also the extensive park with its beautiful gardens and the Orangery. You continue to cycle along the charming Stever River to Lüdinghausen. Overnight stay near the castle buildings.Sample Accommodation: Hotel No 11 or Hotel Steverbett
Day 4: Lüdinghausen – Senden, 24 or 36 mi. (39 or 58 km)
Today starts with visits to Burg Lüdinghausen and Burg Vischering, beautiful fortified castles. You continue along Halterner Borkenberge towards the Halterner Stausee reservoir, a great place for a swim. On the northern side of the Borkenberge, you cycle through fields, forests, and meadows, mostly on the popular 100-castles route all the way to Haus Visbeck and further to Senden. The shorter route takes you along the Olfener Steverauen and into the rose village of Seppenrade before you cycle on the 100 Castles route to Senden.Sample Accommodation: Hofhotel Grothues-Potthoff
Day 5: Senden – Billerbeck, 21 or 32 mi. (33 or 51 km)
Today’s cycling tour will lead you along the Stever River to Haus Klein-Schoenebeck, an estate from the 14th century. You then pedal through the park-like landscape of the Münsterland region and to Havixbeck. At the foot of the Baumberge, the route leads along the moated castle of Darfeld, one of the most impressive castle estates in the Münsterland, built on two islands. In the state-recognized resort town of Billerbeck, you will discover picturesque little storehouses at Johanneskirchplatz, inviting cafés, and restaurants. The shorter route takes you to the Westerberg, the highest point in the Münsterland. From the Longinus Tower, built of typical Baumberg sandstone, you have a magnificent view over the Münsterland and can already make out Billerbeck, the destination of today‘s stage. At the Kolvenburg, the romantic Martinikirchplatz, and in the town center around the cathedral, you will discover typical Westphalian architecture.Sample Accommodation: Hotel & Restaurant Mertens Ludgerusbrunnen:
Day 6: Billerbeck – Münster, 24 mi. (38 km)
Today you have plenty of time to discover all sides of Münsterland. The first stretch is along a track around the Baumberge Hills to the Schlauchbach stream and just before Havixbeck, you will find the impressive Castle Hülshoff in the middle of stunning grounds, the house in which poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff was born. Haus Vögeding and Haus Rüschhaus are two other estates worth seeing on the route. Another highlight awaits you at the end of the tour with the castle in Münster. Built by J. C. Schlaun, since 1954 it has housed the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität. Behind the castle, you will find the botanical garden and the castle garden café.Sample Accommodations: Hotel Kaiserhof or Atlantic Hotel (for additional cost)
Day 7: Münster
End of the tour after breakfast or you can add an additional day. Feel free to continue exploring the city until 5 p.m. when your bike will need to be returned.
Extension Day
Münster – Sculpture Projects, 11 mi. (18 km)
Booking an extra night gives you time to experience art in the open. Every 10 years the 'Skulptur Projekte' takes place in Münster and leaves its mark around the city by integrating some of the sculptures in the urban landscape.
You cycle towards Aasee, a large artificial lake in the center of Münster. 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 paved car-free boulevard laid along the city's old ring of fortifications which takes you along a shady path once round the city center. Discover the city on foot and maybe end up looking for more sculptures.
It is worth visiting the Friedensaal in the Town Hall, Dom, and/or one of the many museums. Wander through the city in typical Westphalian calm by popping into one of the typical cafés, stroll around the 'Prinzipalmarkt', and bring your tour to a relaxing end.View all our tours in Germany and take a look at our specials and news along with hundreds of other trips in Europe and beyond.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
On each day’s details, you will find a list of sample accommodations. There is an opportunity to upgrade in Münster for an additional fee. Please note that the final hotel list will be based on availability.
Bicycles
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 6 nights in 3 & 4-star hotels
- Breakfasts
- Tour descriptions & maps with additional information on places of interest
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Service hotline
- App-supported navigation
- Bicycle rental
What’s Not Included
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Entrance fees
- City tax if applicable
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
- Accommodations for 6 nights in 3 & 4-star hotels
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Arrival on Saturdays, Sundays, & Mondays from April 1 - October 24, 2024
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
2024
Season 1: April 1 - April 23 & June 30 - August 20, 2024
Season 2: April 24 - June 29 & August 21 - October 24, 2024Season 1 Season 2 Twin/double $ 1587 £ 833 $ 1,429 € 953 kr 146918 ₪ 3934 ¥ 155378 Mex$ 18187 NZ$ 1705 NOK 11267 kr 11039 $ 1,058 $ 1637 £ 860 $ 1,474 € 983 kr 151542 ₪ 4058 ¥ 160270 Mex$ 18760 NZ$ 1758 NOK 11621 kr 11387 $ 1,092 Single supplement $ 518 £ 272 $ 466 € 311 kr 47945 ₪ 1284 ¥ 50706 Mex$ 5935 NZ$ 556 NOK 3677 kr 3603 $ 345 $ 551 £ 289 $ 496 € 331 kr 51028 ₪ 1366 ¥ 53967 Mex$ 6317 NZ$ 592 NOK 3913 kr 3834 $ 368 Extra Options
Bike rental options
E bike rental $ 210 £ 110 $ 189 € 126 kr 19425 ₪ 520 ¥ 20543 Mex$ 2405 NZ$ 225 NOK 1490 kr 1460 $ 140 Bike rental extension (per day) $ 28 £ 15 $ 25 € 17 kr 2621 ₪ 70 ¥ 2772 Mex$ 324 NZ$ 30 NOK 201 kr 197 $ 19 E-bike rental extension (per day) $ 58 £ 31 $ 52 € 35 kr 5396 ₪ 144 ¥ 5706 Mex$ 668 NZ$ 63 NOK 414 kr 405 $ 39 Upgrade
Atlantikhotel- per person from $ 132 £ 69 $ 118 € 79 kr 12179 ₪ 326 ¥ 12880 Mex$ 1508 NZ$ 141 NOK 934 kr 915 $ 88 Extra nights
Munster - Twin/double $ 143 £ 75 $ 129 € 86 kr 13258 ₪ 355 ¥ 14022 Mex$ 1641 NZ$ 154 NOK 1017 kr 996 $ 95 Munster- Single supplement $ 75 £ 39 $ 67 € 45 kr 6937 ₪ 186 ¥ 7337 Mex$ 859 NZ$ 80 NOK 532 kr 521 $ 50 Atlantikhotel (season 1 & 2)- per person $ 165 £ 87 $ 148 € 99 kr 15262 ₪ 409 ¥ 16141 Mex$ 1889 NZ$ 177 NOK 1170 kr 1147 $ 110 Bike rental is included for 7 days. Additional days may be added for a fee.
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. With an incline of approximately 237 meters, Day 4 is somewhat more demanding, but the climb to the end of the stage is still very easy to manage. This region in Europe is one of the first that consistently signposted its cycling network with over 4,500-km of bike trails. There are more than 3,000 direction signs and 15,000 small signs on the route guiding you on your way.
Airport Info
Fly to Münster-Osnabrück Airport (FMO).
Local Travel
You can take a shuttle bus from the airport to the city center or taxis are readily available.
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.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Travelydays.
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We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
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