Itinerary
Round trip Westphalia from Münster
Rivers, castles, and boulevards in the southern Münsterland
7 days / 6 nights | Self-guided cycling tours
Be enchanted by the green landscape of the Münsterland. You will cycle along streams, through shady forests, and stunning boulevards. This route takes you along the Münsterland “Pättkes” cycling routes close to nature, lined with hedges and willow trees. Besides small Westphalian manor houses and old country estates, you will discover some of the most well-known castles of the Münsterland on this tours: Castle Nordkirchen, Castle Vischering and Castle Hülshoff. The shorter legs of the bike trip are the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at the castles and palaces, relax in a café along the bike path and discover the rural Münsterland region. On some days, you can choose between a shorter or longer cycle tour. Towards the end of this route, you can look forward to an exciting city tour: Discover many of the pieces of the world-renowned sculpture project exhibitions of the past few years, acquired by the municipality – all in the city and outside.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Münster
Check-in at the hotel and option to visit the nearby city centre. At Prinzipalmarket with its gabled houses, the village square, and on the green Promenadenring you will get your first glance of this charming city.
Day 2: Münster – Davensberg (Cycling 33 km / 21 miles or 58 km / 36 miles)
Along the Dortmund-Ems Canal and through Boniburger Wald you will reach the magical pilgrimage town of Telgte via Hansdorf. The city with its Baroque chapel and the gregarious market square is located right on the shore of the Ems, and it is a popular destination for cyclists. Through meadows and fields we continue to the historical Pleistermühle with country inn and beer garden. This is where you will reach the romantic Werse. This varied cycling trail along the river gives you an opportunity to enjoy pure nature. A magical view of Haus Bispink near Rinkerode, a historical farmstead, and the feudal estate Haus Borg. The last part of this leg will lead you through the mysterious forest area of Davert, which is close to nature, and to Castle Davensburg.
Day 3: Davensberg – Lüdinghausen (Cycling 39 km / 24 miles or 58 km / 36 miles or 49 km / 31 miles)
Today’s stage has two divine moated castles. On rural routes, you will first reach the Baroque Castle Westerwinkel. After crossing the nature reserve of Ichterloh with its beautiful picnic place at the 1,000-year-old oak you will soon reach Castle Nordkirchen, also referred to as “Westphalia’s Versailles” and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the castle courtyard, the restaurant invites you to take a break and to take in the stunning view of the estate. You continue to cycle along the charming Stever river to Lüdinghausen, a city home to a moated castle. Overnight stay near the castle buildings.
Day 4: Lüdinghausen – Senden (Cycling 58 km / 36 miles)
Today starts with visits to Burg Lüdinghausen and Burg Vischering, one of the most beautiful fortified castles. We continue along Halterner Borkenberge towards Halterner Stausee (reservoir). The cafés on the shore of the lake invite you to stop by or to jump into the cool water of this swimming lake. On the northern side of the Borkenberge, you will cycle through fields, forests, and meadows, mostly on the 100-castles route all the way to Haus Visbeck and further to Senden.
Day 5: Senden – Nottuln (Cycling 34 km / 21 miles or 60 km / 37 miles)
Today’s cycling tour will lead you along the Stever river to Haus Klein-Schoenebeck, an estate from the 14th century. After this, you will cycle through the green park landscape of the Münsterland region and to Havixbeck. At the foot of the Baumberge along the moated castle of Darfeld, one of the most impressive castle estates in the Münsterland and built on two islands. In the state-recognised resort town of Billerbeck you will discover the picturesque little store houses at Johanneskirchplatz, inviting cafés and restaurants. Before you cycle on to Nottuln you will go to Westerberg, the highest point of the Münsterland. From Longinusturm, built with typical Baumberg sandstone, you will have an amazing view of the Münsterland and you will already be able to spot Nottuln, the next destination of today’s leg.
Day 6: Havixbeck – Münster (Cycling 35 km / 21 miles)
Today you have plenty of time to discover all sides of Münsterland. Th e fi rst stretch is along a track around the Baumberge hills to the Schlauchbach stream and just before Havixbeck. You will fi nd the impressive Castle Hülshoff in the middle of stunning grounds, the house in which poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff was born. Since 2012, seeing the castle from inside and enjoying the food in the castle yard is possible. 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.
Day 7: Münster
End of the tour after breakfast or extension day.
Also available for booking: Extension Day
Münster – Sculpture Projects (Cycling 18 km / 11 miles)
Booking an extra night gives you time to experience art in the open. Every 10 years the 'Skulptur Projekte' take place in Münster and leaves its mark around the city by integrating some of the sculptures in the urban landscape.
Off cycling towards Aasee, a large artificial lake in the centre 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 and which takes you along a shady path once round the city centre. 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. Or 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.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
Map
Booking, Dates & Prices
7 days / 6 nights
Prices 2021 (per person in €)
Arrival on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays: April 04 - Sept 27, 2021
Double Room
€ 699,-
Single room supplement
€ 236,-
Optional
Bicycle rental
€ 79,-
E-Bike
€ 200,-
Half board supplement (4 x 3, 1 x 2-course-Men)
€ 150,-
Extra night Muenster double room
€ 79,-
Supplement extra night single room
€ 49,-
Half board supplement extension day
€ 30,-
Bicycle rental per extension day
€ 15,-
E-Bike rental per extension day
€ 25,-
Minimum number of participants: 2
Services included
- 6 Overnight stays in 3*** and 4****-hotels or equivalent to Westfalen-Charme Hotels incl. breakfast
- Tour descriptions and map
- Tourist information on the places of interest
- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel (execpt star tours)
- Service hotline
- Tours according to programme (www.travelydays.com)
- Parking possible at the hotel (extra fee)
- App-supported navigation
- Half board optional
- Panniers when booking a bicycle rental
- We adapt the bike rental to suit your wishes
- Beverages bottle
- Bed Tax
Not included: Arrival and departure transfers, lunch and dinner, entrance fees, insurances.
Hire bikes
Comfortable unisex touring bikes with 7-speed hub gears and coaster brakes, luggage, stable trapeze frames, front suspension, sprung seat posts, padded saddles, puncture-proof tyres, LED front and rear lights powered by hub dynamo, quick-release saddle height, click-fix bracket on the handlebar. Alternatively, electric bikes (8-speed, coater brakes) can be hired.
Half board
5 x evening meals: 4 x three-course menu, 1 x two-course menu. No evening meal at the hotel in Lüdinghausen. There are good restaurants to be found near to the hotel.
Tour profile
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 around of 237 metres, day 4 is somewhat more demanding, but the climb to the end of the stage is still easy to manage.
Arrival and parking
Arrival by car: Parking available at the hotel.
(secure parking for 15,– € per night).
There is additional parking 1.3 km away for 4,– € per night.
Arrival by train: to Münster / Westfalen Main Station. The hotel is about 150 metres from the station.
Arrival by plane: via FMO (Flughafen Münster-Osnabrück), shuttle bus from the airport to the city centre 7,50 € , taxi from 56,– € .
Details correct as of September 2018, subject to change.
Notes
Entry Requirements / Visa: EU-citizens are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within 6 months of the return of your journey. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with dual citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the responsible embassy.
Note: This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
Details correct as of September 2020, subject to change.
Hotels
Hotel description
Münster
Hotel Kaiserhof 4****
The Kaiserhof Hotel is in opposite Münster Main Station, walking distance from all attractions and shopping facilities. The Kaiserhof stands out for its 100 individually designed rooms and its wellness area. You will be staying in a Superior Room. These rooms have a large double bed, safe, digital satellite TV, free WiFi, hair dryer, luggage store, full-body mirror, WC, phone, air conditioning, and a complementary bottle of mineral water. Restaurant in the hotel.
Hotel Europa Hotel 4****
The Europa Hotel is located in the central Erpho district in Münster. The city center of Münster with its sights and shopping facilities is just 1.8 km from the hotel. The hotel,
run by the third generation, is especially known for its rich breakfast buffet. The rooms have a double bed, safe, digital satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, luggage rack, bathroom, telephone, air conditioning and a free welcome drink.
Atlantic Hotel 4****
The new Atlantic hotel is 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 centre. The rooms are equipped with a large double bed, safe, digital satellite TV, free wifi, hairdryer, storage for the suitcase, large mirror, telephone, air conditioning and minibar.
Davensberg
Hotel Clemens-August 3***
The Clemens-August Hotel is right in the centre of Davensberg and in immediate proximity to the Davert Burgturm. Along with its particular location, the hotel stands out for its 'Westphalian' flair and the wonderful view of the Deipenwiese park. All rooms have a Nespresso machine, WiFi, one bottle of water per stay, television, shower, WC, hair dryer, telephone and make-up mirror. Restaurant in the hotel.
Lüdinghausen
Hotel No 11
Hotel No 11 is in the pedestrian area of the town of Lüdinghausen, in the immediate vicinity of various restaurants, cafés and the Burgpark. The hotel stands out for its charmingly laid-out rooms with specific furnishings. The rooms have a small espresso machine, flat-screen TV, safe, high-quality box spring bed, air conditioning, free WiFi, hair dryer, telephone and a bottle of mineral water on arrival.
Hotel Steverbett
The Steverbett is right on the Burgpark in Lüdinghausen. Only its namesake the Stever separates it from the park. Along with the hotel terrace looking towards the park, the hotel stands out for its light, modern rooms. All rooms have TV. shower, WC, hair dyer, free WiFi and a safe. Restaurant in the hotel.
Senden
Hofhotel Grothues-Potthoff 4****
The Grothues-Potthoff Hofhotel is in Senden by the beach. In 2015 it was opened near its own farm shop and café, a successful combination of modern and Westphalian flair. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, free WiFi, a large desk, phone, safe, WC, hair dryer and box spring beds. A large wellness facility with various saunas and experience showers are available in the hotel. Restaurant in the hotel.
Nottuln
Hotel Rosenboom
The Rosenboom Hotel is in the town centre of Nottuln. There are a number of different sizes of restaurants nearby with regional and international dishes. The aim of the hotel is to bring the North Sea to Münsterland and it ticks all the boxes with its light and modern rooms. All rooms have free WiFi, flat-screen TV, shower, WC, hair dryer and shower.
or
Billerbeck
Hotel & Restaurant Mertens Ludgerusbrunnen
The Hotel Mertens is situated on the edge of the centre of Billerbeck. In the hotel tradition meets the modern. This passion for detail is what Guido Mertens sees as the essence of the Hotel Ludgerusbrunnen. The historical centre of the town is within walking distance. All rooms have their own bathroom with bathtub or shower, hairdryer, tea utensils, wifi, waterboiler, tv and telephone.
