Imagine a bicycle trip to discover palaces, fortresses, manor houses and countryside where history and culture are firmly interwoven and every era has left its mark.
What you are dreaming exists in Germany, it is the 100 Schlösser Route or the 100 Castles Route.
The trail is located in the region of Münster, in the northwestern part of the country, and is about 960 km long.
It consists of 4 cycling rings: the north (305 km), the south (210 km), the west (310 km) and the east (240 km).
Each “journey” has its own special features.
It moves from the green plains of the Münster region to the hills of Tecklenburger, where you can enjoy a wonderful view over Münsterland.
Stages: Münster – Havixbeck – Billerbeck – Rosendahl – Horstmar – Schöppingen – Steinfurt – Wettringen – Ochtrup – Bad Bentheim – Rheine – Hörstel – Ibbenbüren – Tecklenburg – Lengerich – Bad Iburg – Sassenberg – Ostbevern – Münster
Length: about 305 km | Height: 890 mt
Difficulty: Average | Suitable for cyclists with sports training
Castles to visit:
- Castle of Münster | Münster
- House Rüschhaus | Münster
- Castle Steinfurt | Steinfurt
- Bentheim Castle | Bad Bentheim
- Castle Iburg | Bad Iburg
- Erbdrostenhof | Münster
- Hülshoff | Havixbeck
- House Welbergen | Ochtrup
- Monastery Bentlage | Rheine
Hilly route with frequent ups and downs but still easy to handle.
Stages: Münster – Everswinkel – Mountain Ash – Drensteinfurt – Churches of North – Olfen – Lüdinghausen – Invia – Nottuln – Billerbeck – Havixbeck
Length: about 210 km
Difficulty: Easy
Castles to visit:
- Castle of Münster | Münster
- Castle Westerwinkel | Ascheberg
- Castle Vischering | Lüdinghausen
- House Rüschhaus | Munster
- Erbdrostenhof | Munster
- Church of North Castle | Churches of North
- Hülshoff | Havixbeck
Suitable for families with small children because very flat. You cross beautiful landscapes.
Stages: Haltern am See – Raesfeld – Bocholt – Isselburg – Rhede – corteccia – Velen – Südlohn – Vreden – Ahaus – Heek – Legden – Coesfeld – Dülmen
Length: about 310 km
Difficulty: Easy
Castles to visit:
- Castle Lembeck | Lembeck
- Wasserburg Anholt | Isselburg
- Castle Gemen | Borken
- Raesfeld | Raesfeld
- Castle of Ahaus | Ahaus
On the road you will encounter many free horses, you are, indeed, near the capital of the Westphalian horses where there is a large breeding farm.
Stages: Munster – Everswinkel – Sendenhorst – Beckum – Lippetal – Wadersloh – Oelde – Ennigerloh – Warendorf – Sassenberg – Ostbevern
Length: about 240 km
Difficulty: Easy
Castles to visit:
- Castle of Munster | Munster
- House Vornholz | Ennigerloh
- Erbdrostenhof | Munster
- Schloss Hovestadt | Lippetal