Stage 1 Hohe Mark Cycle Route

Stage 1 begins at the Pröbstingsee, which already offers many possibilities with a five-kilometre-long walking path, a picnic area, as well as opportunities for pedal boating and a climbing park.

The route leads from the Pröbstingsee to the Borken district of Gemen. There, the first cultural highlight awaits those interested in cycling: the Jugendburg Gemen, probably one of the most unusual castles in Münsterland. Surrounded by a mighty moat, the castle shines in a bright hue. A stop with a walk around the castle opens up new perspectives again and again.

The tour continues through a three-kilometre-long avenue. Under the canopy of leaves protecting you from the sun, the tour feels soothing and homely.

The route leads north to the Apothecary Garden & Geological Garden Weseke. In the Quellengrundpark, the secrets of ancient stones and healing plants can be explored.

The next stop is at the Ramsdorf fish ladder . With a bit of luck, fiches can be observed migrating at the weir of the Bocholter Aa.

Once you have arrived in Velen, you can make a final stop at the historic zoo. The picturesque park has a lot to offer in terms of cultural history: Architect Johann Conrad Schlaun (1695-1773) designed an extensive park for hunting purposes from the original castle park with a wooded area.

By car:

Coming from the north/south

• Take the A31 in the direction of Velen and take exit (34) Heiden.
• Then continue on the B67 in the direction of Velen.
• Leave at exit B70 in the direction of Borken-Zentrum.
• Follow the Bundestraße 70 for approx. 2 kilometres in the direction of Borken and turn left.
• Follow the signs for A3/Bocholt.
• At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Bocholter Straße.
• After 500 metres turn right onto Vardingholter Straße.
• After two kilometres, the destination is on the left-hand side.
  

Coming from the east/west

• Take the B67 in the direction of Borken.
• Take exit B70 in the direction of Borken-Zentrum.
• Follow the Bundestraße 70 for approx. 2 kilometres in the direction of Borken and turn left.
• Follow the signs for A3/Bocholt.
• At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Bocholter Straße.
• After 500 metres turn right onto Vardingholter Straße.
• After two kilometres, the destination is on the left-hand side.

By public transport:

• Borken is located on the Essen - Borken railway line. The regional train R14, "Der Borkener", runs on this route.
• From the station it is 4.5 kilometres to the starting point at Pröbstingsee.

The starting point of the stage is at the Pröbstingsee car park.

Further parking facilities are located on the west side of the lake.

The Hohe Mark RadRoute is signposted throughout.

It is part of the junction system and can be recognised by the red/white signs. At intersections, arrow or destination signs guide cyclists in the right direction. Here cyclists will also find the Hohe Mark RadRoute logo with the green bicycle. Where the cycle paths only lead in one direction, there are regular rectangular intermediate signposts.

The Hohe Mark RadRoute makes it possible to take shortcuts via transverse bridges at four points - between Borken and Raesfeld and between Reken via Heiden and Dorsten. These are also part of the east, centre and west courses. The familiar route logo in reverse colour scheme (white bicycle on a green background) also guides you on the cross-paths.

Links
Webseite: Hohe Mark RadRoute: https://hohemarkradroute.de/touren-und-etappen/borken-weseke-ramsdorf-velen/
Komoot Etappe 1: Von Borken nach Velen: https://www.komoot.de/tour/918358467?ref=wtd

Parkplatz Pröbstingsee, Pröbstinger Allee

Womo Stellplatz Velen, Geeste