Cycle tour: Mountain, railway, beech forest

The circular tour starts in Ibbenbüren-Laggenbeck, at the railway station or at nearby car parks. A visit to the Laggenbeck outdoor pool is recommended right at the start - a modern facility with a spacious sunbathing lawn, ideal for a refreshing dip before or after the tour. The route initially runs along flat paths, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right of the Amsterdam-Berlin railway line, through quiet settlements and open fields as far as Velpe.

From here, the terrain becomes slightly hilly. The route leads through wide meadows and fields to Lotte, where the Hehwerth House, a former aristocratic residence with impressive half-timbered architecture and a historic ambience, is well worth a visit.

The route continues along almost flat, idyllic paths to Westerkappeln. There, it is worth making a detour to the tractor museum, which provides an insight into the region's agricultural history with its many lovingly restored agricultural machines.

After Westerkappeln, the route leads through extensive beech forests in the direction of Mettingen. The route runs shady and close to nature all the way to the historic town centre. In Mettingen, the Töddenmuseum with its exhibition on the history of the wandering linen merchants and cosy places to stop for refreshments invite you to take a long break.

A special natural highlight awaits further along the route: The Köllbachtal, a quiet forest valley with a natural character. Here, a water treading pool provides invigorating refreshment - ideal after the longer section through the woods.

The last part of the tour involves climbing the Schafberg plateau. The challenging ascent is rewarded with a marvellous panoramic view over the Tecklenburger Land region. This is followed by a lively descent back to Laggenbeck.

The tour is around 34 km long and combines culture, nature and history: disused railway lines, old noble estates, museums, beech forests and panoramic views make "Berg, Bahn, Buchenwald" a varied and eventful cycle tour in northern Münsterland.

Travelling by car:

• Take the A1 motorway to exit 73/Lengerich/Tecklenburg/Ibbenbüren
• Turn left onto Ibbenbürener Straße
• Follow the signs in the direction of Ibbenbüren
• Turn right onto Im Bocketal Straße
• Follow the road to Laggenbeck
• Follow the signs to Laggenbeck railway station

Travelling by bus/train:

Coming from Münster (Westf.):

Option 1:

• RB65 to Rheine to the terminus Rheine Bhf
• RB61 in the direction of Bielefeld Hbf to "Ibbenbüren-Laggenbeck"

Option 2:

• S50 to Ibbenbüren as far as "Ibbenbüren Busbahnhof"
• R20 to Mettingen (Westf.) Schultenhof to "Laggenbeck Abzw. Velper Str. - Ibbenbüren"
• 7 min walk (600m) to Laggenbeck railway station

Parking is available directly at the starting point of the route (bridge in Ibbenbüren-Laggenbeck).

The cycle tour is not signposted separately, but runs entirely along the signposted Münsterland junction network.

The use of a GPS track is recommended for navigation.

Links
Fietsknoop.nl: https://www.fietsknoop.nl/routes/view/24924905
Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2132548553

Bahnbrücke, Ibbenbüren-Laggenbeck

Bahnbrücke, Ibbenbüren-Laggenbeck