4 days cycling the Münster-Osnabrück Route of Peace

The Münster-Osnabrück Route of Peace leads through dense forests, over idyllic mountains, past lush meadows and wide fields. It follows the River Ems through green nature, heads over the Werse River, and traces the completely straight Dortmund-Ems Canal. From Münster to Osnabrück, the historic route of the Thirty Years' War winds its way through Münsterland’s picturesque park landscapes and the foothills of the Teutoburg Forest.

The Route of Peace connects the two historic town halls of Münster and Osnabrück where the peace negotiations of the Thirty Years' War took place between 1643 and 1648. In order for the two negotiating parties to communicate, the imperial postal line was set up so that so-called ‘peace riders’ could transport messages back and forth. This proved successful and in 1648, the Peace of Westphalia peace treaties were signed. Today, you can cycle in the footsteps of the peace rides and negotiators, following the Route of Peace.

Between the two cities of Münster and Osnabrück, you can cycle two routes either individually or as a circular route. In this Collection, we present the entire 166-kilometre (103 mile) circuit in four stages. Your adventure begins in Münster, which is easy to reach by train. On the western route, you ride from Münster to Osnabrück via the town of Tecklenburg. The return route takes you back to Münster via Ostbevern. The four-day cycle Tour is a varied ride with both flat and mountainous sections. The magnificent view over Münsterland and the Teutoburg Forest from up high is truly spectacular.

There’s a well-developed network of cycle paths between the two cities. You will also find cycle-friendly accommodation for overnight stays; the hosts in the region are well-prepared for cyclists. At the stage destinations, you can find a wide range of accommodation such as hotels, holiday flats, and youth hostels. So, nothing stands between you and an unforgettable cycle Tour following the route of an important part of German history – the Peace of Westphalia.