A Castle at Every Corner (Münsterland)
The Münsterland is flat and green; perfect conditions for an extended bike tour. In the Middle Ages, the region around the splendid city of Münster was home to the nobility. Countless romantic castles, imposing mansions and secluded moated castles bear witness to this past. Small farms with large fields line the country roads and stately manor house gardens invite visitors to take a break.
A 960-km network of bike paths connects the historic highlights, which are now used for a variety of purposes. While some gems now house hotels and museums, other castles are still inhabited. A total of four circular tours lead you past the castles of Münsterland. Together, they total nearly 1,000 km of cycling! The southern course measures 210 km in total length, making it the shortest route, while the western course is the longest at 310 km.
Nagarjun Kogaravalli Sathyanarayana 
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But no matter which route you choose, the romantic moated castles invite you to dream. With these amazing backdrops and comparatively flat terrain, the Münsterland region makes cycling a real pleasure.
TIP: Once a year, “Boule & Bike” invites visitors to spend a weekend cycling through the Münsterland region, stopping off at boule courts along the way for a game.
ROUTE: Whether you only cycle sections of the tour or all four circular routes is up to you.
SIGNS: The route has been changed several times during the last decades and old maps and signs can be confusing. The current route is indicated by a green castle symbol at all important crossroads.
On the Trail of the Romans (Niederrhein)
An area rich in river trails, forests and historic sites stretches from Kleve in the north, past Xanten, Wesel, Krefeld and Viersen to Heinsberg in the south. A trip along the Roman-Lippe-Route, not only offers great views, but is also educational.
The Romans liked it in Xanten, and it doesn’t take long to understand why. The picturesque landscape between the Rhine and the Meuse is fantastic and offers unique activities, including a stroll through a Roman town. The LVR-Archaeological Park Xanten showcases the remains of a Roman settlement, and invites visitors to take a relaxing detour into antiquity in the expansive greenery of the park. The park marks the end of the Roman-Lippe-Route.
ArTono/ Shutterstock.com 
ArTono/ Shutterstock.com 
Manninx/ Shutterstock.com 
Fabian Junge/ Shutterstock.com
All in all, the Roman-Lippe-Route covers 400 km from Detmold to Xanten, divided into 15 individual stages that can be combined at will. Our tip: Take your time, there is plenty to discover along the way.
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Joel Wuestehube/ Shutterstock.com
TIP: You don’t need to bring your own bike, thanks to “Niederrheinrad”. The practical bike rental system has 55 rental stations and can be conveniently booked online.
ROUTE: The route along the “Römer-Lippe-Radweg” cycle path is superbly signposted. In 2020 the cycle path received an award for its service. Everything important along the way can be looked up online on an interactive map. The total distance from Detmold to Xanten is 400 km, and the trail always follows the banks of the River Lippe. The individual sections of the trail can be downloaded online as GPS data, while blue and red signs show the way on site.
