© Münsterland e.V. Philipp Foelting
Germany’s Westphalian City Tour — linking historic town centres
Bike Touring Collection by Sebastian Gliem
7
days
2-4 h
/ day
241 mi
5,075 ft
5,025 ft
If you fancy combining cycling in nature with a city trip, I have something for you – Germany’s historic Westphalian City Tour. In Münsterland and South Westphalia, history-rich old towns, idyllic nature reserves, moated castles and expansive views over fields, meadows and the Teutoburg Forest await. The route is signposted with a square sign with a green skyline on a white background.
So that you can visit all the towns you pass through on the way, I’ve divided the route into seven stages. Each stage ends in a historic city with a pretty centre or an old town, so you can explore on foot after checking in at your hotel.
In my version of the cycle route, you’ll cover a total of 390 kilometres (242 mi), which also includes small detours to sights along the way. You mainly cycle on paved roads, and the entire itinerary is suitable for a touring bike.
I chose Warendorf as the starting point for this circular adventure as it’s easy to reach by train or car. Of course, you can also start in Münster or Rheda-Wiedenbrück, and there are good rail connections in Soest, Werl or Werne. As it is a circular route, you are free to choose your starting point but no matter where you start from, I hope you have a wonderful trip!
On The Map
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Last updated: August 21, 2023
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours & Highlights
- 02:5930.6 mi10.2 mph425 ft350 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Three beautiful towns, plus magnificent monasteries, bodies of water and a moated castle. The first stage on the historic city center cycle route through the Münsterland and South Westphalia shows you directly what you can experience in the coming days. You're guaranteed to get your money's worth on…
- 04:0339.5 mi9.8 mph700 ft625 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
After a short 50 kilometers on the first stage, I'll pack a few more today so that you can cycle almost 64 kilometers between Rietberg and your destination Soest.
At the beginning you can consider whether you want to pay a short visit to the Rietberg fish ponds, because there is a viewing platform from…
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- 03:2836.0 mi10.4 mph500 ft625 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Day three on the historic city centers cycle route: In South Westphalia you connect Soest with Werne today and come through the beautiful city center of Werl and have a stretch between the Lippe and the Datteln-Hamm Canal in front of you. So there will be no boredom on almost 58 kilometers!
But first…
- 03:2936.2 mi10.4 mph750 ft750 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Today only one city center is on the program, but it has it all - because on day four we go to the center of the Münsterland, by which I can only mean Münster. Along the 58 kilometers you will mainly enjoy nature, distant views and one or two gems along the way.
Heading north you leave the city on the…
- 02:5830.3 mi10.2 mph525 ft550 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
After yesterday's end in the colorful and bustling city of Münster, today's tour will be a little more dignified. The destination of the fifth stage is in Burgsteinfurt, which of course also boasts a magnificent old town. There are less than 50 kilometers ahead of you, so you can sleep a little longer…
- 03:4935.3 mi9.3 mph1,050 ft675 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
The sixth stage on the historic city centers cycle route is as flat over the first 50 kilometers as you are used to from the last few days. The last few kilometers have hidden a few meters of altitude. So after Tecklenburg you have to pedal a little harder, but you'll get there.
Even today you cycle through…
- 03:1332.6 mi10.1 mph1,100 ft1,500 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
You will feel the foothills of the Teutoburg Forest in the first 20 kilometers, because it goes up and down, so you have to master one or the other small incline. But since you are not traveling in the Alps, you do not need to worry, and the last 30 of the approximately 54 kilometers on the seventh and…
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Collection Stats
- Tours7
- Distance241 mi
- Duration23:58 h
- Elevation5,075 ft5,025 ft
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