As flat as it gets – cycling in Emsland in northern Germany
Bike Touring Collection by Westfalen Bahn
8
Tours
22:42 h
217 mi
2,425 ft
Emsland may be flat, but this district in northwestern Germany is far from boring. With varied landscapes and the crashing waves of the North Sea, Elmsland is a great place to explore by bike. In this Collection, we present eight wonderful rides in the flatland between the towns of Papenburg and Lingen. The routes will take you along the River Ems as it flows towards the sea. You can also make a small detour into the nearby Netherlands to learn more about the region’s cultural diversity.
We’ve planned these rides as relaxed day trips, with lots of opportunities to take a refreshing dip in a quarry pond, so don’t forget to pack your swim stuff in your panniers. Along the way, you ride through quaint villages and old towns where you can find plenty of places to stop for a break.
In between the towns, sprawling floodplains, rugged upland moors, and endless fields await. And the best part? You can reach the start of the routes easily and sustainably by train. All of the rides start and end at a train station connected to the WestfalenBahn, the regional train network. The Emsland Tour Ticket is a good, budget-friendly option; you can travel to and from the routes with your bike. If you plan to stay longer in the region, you could also make one of the pretty towns along the river your basecamp.
A network of beautiful cycling paths unravel the region’s subtle beauty. Emsland is made for cyclists – from mile crunchers to free-wheelers. Hop on your saddle, forget about life’s everyday stress, and get pedaling through this flat region!
On The Map
Tours
- 02:0120.5 mi10.2 mph250 ft250 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This 30 kilometer bike tour takes you along the middle Ems. On the first half of the tour you follow the river on its winding course through the Emsland to the reservoir near Geeste. Then it goes back in a straight line along the Dortmund-Ems Canal to Meppen, the starting point of the route. If the whole…
- 04:0738.2 mi9.3 mph300 ft300 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
This 65-kilometer circular tour takes you through the northern Emsland and via a swivel through the Netherlands back to your starting point in Aschendorf. A wonderful round with lots of water, historical highlights and of course wonderful bike paths.
It starts at the train station in Aschendorf. Before…
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- 02:2824.1 mi9.8 mph250 ft250 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This almost 40 kilometer tour shows you the picturesque Lingener Land. You start your circuit at the train station in Geeste, cycle along the Dortmund-Ems Canal to Lingen and back on a varied route. If the entire route is too far for you, you can also take the train back from Lingen to Geeste.
It is not…
- 03:5233.2 mi8.6 mph425 ft400 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
This 50 kilometer bike tour takes you through the beautiful, unspoilt river landscape of the Hare and to the Haselünner Juniper Grove nature reserve. It starts in Meppen on the banks of the Ems. Your goal is the beautiful center of Lingen. There is a train station in both cities, so the arrival and departure…
- 03:0628.9 mi9.3 mph275 ft275 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The largest oil fields in Germany and one of the largest high moors in Europe are located in Emsland - a unique landscape that you will get to know on your bike along this almost 50-kilometer tour. After an instructive walk through the moor, you can later relax on the banks of the reservoir in Geeste…
- 02:3424.8 mi9.7 mph450 ft450 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
On this 40-kilometer circuit you cycle through the Lingen region, discover mystical stone tombs and idyllic landscapes, including an extensive break at Lake Sall. The route starts at the train station in Lingen. You leave the city in a westerly direction and soon cycle through the flat, open landscape…
- 02:1022.4 mi10.3 mph175 ft175 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
The city of Papenburg an der Ems is world famous for its shipyard. Along this 35 km long circuit you cycle along the grounds of the Mayer shipyard and may be able to take a look at a future cruiser. You can expect a varied tour with further evidence of the history of shipbuilding in the village and wonderful…
- 02:2424.5 mi10.2 mph300 ft300 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This almost 40 km long route takes you from Lathen to Haren and back again. Pack your swimming trunks on a beautiful summer day, because you can take a refreshing break at Dankernsee. Start is at the train station in Lathen.
You cycle out of the village and start the tour on a flat route through quiet…
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Collection Stats
- Tours8
- Distance217 mi
- Duration22:42 h
- Elevation2,425 ft
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