Tourismus NRW e.V.
Unique palaces and castles turn cycling tours into a special experience as starting points, stopovers, or long-desired destinations alike. No matter if viewing them only from a distance, taking the time for an extended stop to visit museums and enjoy a lunchtime snack, or using the castle park as the perfect stop to relax for a little, these routes will take you to some of the most beautiful palaces and castles in your NRW.
Tourismus NRW e.V.
Castles, moated castles, and manor houses
Out on the 100 Schlösser Route
If you can never get enough of palaces and castles, set out on the southern end of the 100 Schlösser Route (100 castles route). The shortest of four round tours, it still passes many palaces and castles with their beautiful parks and gardens, often at intervals of just a few kilometres.
Tourismus NRW e.V.
Palace and castle highlights in the Münsterland
Out on the small palace and castle tour
This route leads through forests and meadows to some of the most beautiful and famous castles and palaces in the Münsterland with the Renaissance-style Lüdinghausen Castle, Vischering Castle as the Münsterland museum with its “Horses and Knights” exhibition, the moated castle of Nordkirchen, also known as the Westphalian Versailles, and the moated castle of Westerwinkel with its English park.
Tourismus NRW e.V.
Highest density of moated castles in Europe
Out on the Wasserburgen-Route
The Wasserburgen-Route (moated castle route) has barely any gradient in the city triangle of Aachen, Cologne, and Bonn. Cyclists pass up to 120 moated castles along the route, with Satzvey Castle in Mechernich as a special highlight when a knights’ tournament that is famous far beyond the state borders is held here every year.
Münsterland e.V.
Three Highlights
Out on the Drei Schlösser Route
The Drei Schlösser Route (three-castles route) leads across the lush fields of the Soester Börde and the park landscape of the southern Münsterland, past the moated castles of Nehlen House, Assen Castle, and Hovestadt Castle. All of them were built in the Lipperenaissance style in the late 16th century. Hovestadt Castle also has an enchanting park set out as a French garden for its visitors.
Sascha Huettenhain, Kreis Siegen-Wittgenstein
A royal view
Out on the “Nobility in the 21st century” route
This tour takes cyclists through the upper town of Berleburg and into the royal forests, providing several opportunities for unique views. A visit to Berleburg Castle, inhabited by the same family for the last 750 years, is a special highlight. Visitors can marvel at royal apartments and take a stroll in the castle park.
