European Cycle Route R1 | Cultural History 2: Experience historic cities

The "Cultural history 2: Experience historic towns" stage follows on from the "Cultural history 1: Palaces, castles, idyllic countryside" stage.

The section begins north of Coesfeld and leads via Havixbeck to Münster. In Münster , cyclists can expect a cultural highlight with the Prinzipalmarkt, which is lined with characteristic gabled houses. The Prinzipalmarkt is also home to the historic town hall with its cemetery hall, which tells the story of the Peace of Westphalia, and the Lamberti Church, which recalls the bloody, religious and political deeds of the Anabaptists.

The tour continues to Telgte, known for the RELíGIO, the Westphalian Museum of Religious Culture. Telgte is also home to the pilgrimage chapel with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Sorrows.

After a few kilometres through picturesque fields, the route leads to Warendorf - a town with a long tradition of equestrian sport and horses. In Warendorf, guests can visit the North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud and the picturesque old town with its many half-timbered houses.

The cycle tour continues eastwards. Cyclists not only come across beautiful meadows and forests, but also cycle to the left and right of the River Ems.

Once you arrive in Harsewinkel, you can visit the Marienfeld monastery. It used to be a Cistercian abbey and impresses with its architecture.

The route continues through beautiful countryside, through Marienfeld and to Gütersloh. In Gütersloh , guests encounter sights and parks. The city is also known for its cultural events and museums.

The route now continues southwards, where the River Ems once again greets cyclists and heralds the next cultural and natural town. Rheda-Wiedenbrück consists of the historic old towns of Rheda and Wiedenbrück, connected by the Flora-Westfalica Park. Rheda Castle is particularly worth a visit.

Along lakes and fields, the River Ems touches the cycle route from time to time as it continues. Cyclists now encounter a few gentle hills and are rewarded time and again with fantastic views and natural and cultural highlights.

You then reach Rietberg. With a wonderful backdrop of half-timbered houses and the Gartenschaupark (former site of the NRW State Garden Show), you can take a break here. Or you can continue directly to Verl. The small town enchants with charming historic buildings and an inviting town centre.

A few kilometres further on, you reach Schloß Holte-Stuckenbrock. Here, a few stretches of the Teutoburg Forest add a touch of vigour to the cycle tour. Cycling fans are treated to a beautiful landscape with the moated castle, Schloss Holte.

Now take a short detour to Hövelhof. Hövelhof is the gateway to the Senne, a heath landscape that is ideal for hiking and cycling. Hövelhof Castle can also be visited here.

At the end of the stage, the route leads to Detmold, a town with a rich history and culture. Here you will find the residential palace of the Princes of Lippe and one of the largest open-air museums in Europe. If you still have some energy left, you can take a trip to the Hermann monument.

Travelling by public transport is also possible by bike in many cases. The following towns have a railway station on the stage:

• Coesfeld
• Münster
• Telgte
• Warendorf
• Gütersloh
• Rheda-Wiedenbrück
• Castle Holte
• Hövelhof
• Detmold

The R1 cycle route is signposted along the entire stage. The route can be recognised by the blue-green symbol on a white background on the signposts. The symbol includes five blue stars, an indicated green semicircle, a blue circle and the green inscription "R1" in the centre.

Other routes along the route

The European cycle route crosses the following themed routes on this stage:

• 100 Castles Route
• Peace Route
• Werse Cycle Route
• Ems Cycle Route
• Historic town centres
• Dortmund-Ems Canal Cycle Route
• D-Net Route 7
• Border Crossers Route
• Roman-Lippe Route
• Teuto-Senne railway cycle route
• Senne Cycle Route
• Lippe Princes' Route

Links
Münsterland e.V.: https://www.muensterland.com/tourismus/themen/radfahren-muensterland/radrouten-muensterland/europaradweg-r1/

Bahnhof Münster

Bahnhof Detmold