Ems: Münster – Emden

Ems bike trail

From Münster to Emden

From the bicycling stronghold of Münster through the regions park scenery and the vast plain of the Emsland to Emden. A cycling paradise: You will cycle on traffic-free paths, without gradients along the Ems and follow the Dortmund-Ems canal and the 100-Castle-Route. Breathe fresh sea air and discover numerous famous sights such as the Meyer shipyard and beautiful small towns that offer a rich cultural program. Allover, an excellent composition of natural landscape and cultural diversity.

1. day Arrival in Münster

There could be no better start for a bike tour than the bike city Münster! In Münster cyclists are the kings. By bike you will explore the the university town, the city palace and the traffic-calmed city center. There is much to discover!

2. day Münster - Rheine ca. 65 km

A little wistfully, leave the bustling university city Münster. Soon you'll cycle through the green meadows of the EU Bird Protection Area "Riesenfelder". Spotted cows and farms will be your companion on the 100-Castles Route along the Ems river. Take a short breather in Greven and Emsdetten and enjoy the pretty town of Rheine with its historic town houses.

3. day Rheine - Lingen ca. 38 km

Today you'll follow once the Ems river, once the Dortmund-Ems-Canal and on your way you will see many passing ships. In Emsbüren you have the opportunity to visit the famous open air museum which gives deep insight into the working and living culture of the ancient people living in the Emsland. In Lingen you'll find many historical buildings from different areas and a beautiful traffic-calmed city center. And who knows, maybe you have the chance to experience Lingens international theater and music scene.

4. day Lingen - Meppen ca. 36 km

Slowly but steady you'll breathe sea air! Take a worthwhile stopover in Groß Hespe to explore the “Emsland Moormuseum”. Your destination for today is Meppen, feel free to explore the town on your own initiative. Walk around the old city and climb on top of the complete preserved fortification ring (1360), visit the Provost church, the Jesuit residence and the renaissance town hall.

5. day Meppen - Papenburg ca. 64 km

Today you'll discover old and modern. At first, you'll visit the interesting “Emslanddom” in Haren, than you'll make a small detour to see the Transrapid test track and finally you'll discover the old fen colony Papenburg. Have a walk through the beautiful center with its idyllic channels, wooden bascule and swing bridges and old sailing ships.

6. day Papenburg - Leer ca. 35 km

And another highlight: In the morning you have the possibility to visit the Meyer shipyard, the largest indoor dry dock in the world (only with pre-registration). After this impressive tour you'll cycle along the Ems until Leer. Go for a walk and discover the beauty of this fishing town with its thousand-year history and its winding old streets.

7. day Leer - Emden ca. 35 km

Today you get a healthy breeze of the North Sea. Arrived in Emden, the pretty seaport town on the Dollard, you have many possibilities: Make a harbour cruise, stroll through numerous museums or take a public guided city tour.

8. day Departure Emden

Individual departure. Who wants return to Münster can take the direct train that leaves hourly from Emden. After an relaxing two hour ride you'll be back in Münster. Alternatively, you can book the practical back transfer service (at least 4 people).

Worth knowing

Below you will find specific information about the Ems bike trail and surroundings. If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

Münster is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. The starting hotel in Münster is only ca. 500m distance from the trainstation. Current schedule information and price information can be found at www.bahn.de .

Train schedule information

Parking facilities at the hotel

Parking in at the starting Hotel in Münster is possible ca. 17,00 € per night, reservation not possible. Detailed information on parking at the hotel, you will receive together with the detailed travel documents two weeks prior to departure.

Condition of cycle paths

The area along the River Ems is ideal for cycling. All routes are mostly flat or lead through slightly undulating terrain. You cycle on asphalted or paved rural roads, sometimes on small side roads or bike paths. The routes are also suitable for beginners and bike groups.

Available rental bikes

You can choose between unisex bicycles either with 7-speed gear shift and coaster brake or 21-speed gear shift and freewheel or electric bikes. From a body height of 185cm we also offer men bicycles. You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.

Tour information and rental bike

On the day of arrival, there will be an information meeting in the evening in the start hotel. Here also possibly rented bicycles are handed out.

Transfer back to the starting point of the journey

There is the option of booking back to Münster. The driver comes to your hotel and has enough room for you, your luggage and, if necessary, your private bike. He drives you back to your starting hotel and ensures a perfect return journey without the hassle of changing trains or lugging your suitcase. Alternatively, you can return from Emden to Münster by train (about 2 hours, price approx. 30,00 € p.p. plus bike transport). 

Extra costs, which are not included

A possibly resulting tourist tax is not part of the travel price and therefore payable locally in the hotel.

7 day hotline service

Just in case the bike chain breaks, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty surprise: You can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast as possible.

Passport and visa requirements, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

Information on current decisions of the German Federal Government can be found here:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/corona-these-rules-and-restrictions-apply

Current information on entry requirements to Germany can be found here:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Castle Münster

The "Fürstbischöfliche Schloss" in the Westphalian cathedral is a residence castle built in the style of the baroque from 1767 to 1787 for the last two-time Prince-Bishop Maximilian Friedrich of Königsegg-Rothenfels. The architect was Johann Conrad Schlaun. Since 1954, it has been the seat and landmark of the Westphalian Wilhelms University. The castle is built of the typical Baumberger sandstone.

Castle Münster

Old town Leer

The old town attracts visitors with its many interesting buildings: historic town hall, built in 1894 in the German-Niederl. Renaissancestil House Samson Wine shop with a remarkable private museum Libra, built in 1714 in the Dutch-influenced north-western baroque Haneburg, built in 1621, renaissance
castle, Evenburg, water castle in Loga, built in 1642, promenade around the marina.

Old town Leer

Tea Museum

Tea is the epitome of East Frisian hospitality. Those who come to Ostfriesland will be welcomed with an East Frisian tea ceremony. This is not a tourist courtesy, but an active cultural property, also among locals.

In the Leeraner Tea Museum the visitor is also greeted with a cup of East Frisian tea and can also get comprehensive information about the "black gold". The individual stages of tea production are
explained from cultivation in the countries of origin, through the production and processes, to the testing, mixing and tasting. It is also reported about the times of shortness of tea and smuggling of tea.

Tea Museum

Papenburg

Papenburg offers a variety of varied excursions, leisure and recreation possibilities. The city of canals and shipbuilding is looking forward to interesting offers on your visit.

Papenburg

Meyer Werft Papenburg

The MEYER WERFT is the attraction of Papenburgs and manufactures luxurious cruise ships. Every year, nearly 300,000 visitors experience up close, how modern shipbuilding works. In the visitor center of the shipyard you can get a comprehensive insight into the work of MEYER WERFT from today and in the past years. In addition, you will find unique exhibits, informative films, a fully equipped model cabin and other highlights.

Meyer Werft

Meppen

Meppen lies in the central part of the Emsland between Lingen and Papenburg at the mouth of the hare in the Ems. The landmark of the city is the historic town hall, whose basement was built from mighty boulders in 1408.

Meppen

Town Hall Meppen

Old school Bokeloh

Situated on the steep slope of the hare, in the shadow of the over 1000-year-old church with which she forms a unique ensemble, she was also a motif for Otto Pankok, the old school Bokeloh, which stood apart for more than 50 years.

Old school Bokeloh

Lingen

Lingen is located in the southern part of the Emsland, which extends mainly in the north-south
direction.

Lingen

Brögberner ponds

EXPO 2000 - there were also in Lingen! The Brögner ponds and the surrounding renaturated landscape formed a site for this world exhibition. To this day the routes for cyclists, inline skaters and strollers have been created.

Brögberner ponds

Rheine

Rheine, the largest city in the district of Steinfurt, lies in the Münsterland on the northern border of the Westfälische Tieflandbucht about 40 kilometers north of Münster (Westphalia), 45 kilometers west of Osnabrück and 45 kilometers east of Enschede.

Rheine

Rheine

Kümpersches house

The bourgeois house of 1743, in the style of the Dutch late bar, is particularly popular because of its front width. Here, in 1743, Dr. J. C. Giese opened a home pharmacy, the Adler Pharmacy. It is after the lion's pharmacy on the market, which is already mentioned before 1677, the second. Dr. Giese, also of Garnisonsmedicus, also supervised the quartered soldiers.

Kümpersches House

Market square Rheine

The market square reflects the character of a medieval city almost undisturbed. Surrounded by sumptuous citizen houses, the market square in the shadow of St. Dionysius with its cafés is a popular meeting place.

Market square Rheine

St. Lamberti church Münster

The Lambertian church in Westphalian Münster was the market and burgher church, a contest founded by merchants of the city to the overpowering St. Paul's cathedral. The building was constructed from Baumberger Sandstein, which is situated in the neighboring Baumbergen, and is the northern end of the Prinzipalmarkt. The Lambertian Church is the most important sacred building of the Late Gothic period.

St. Lamberti churche gained fame by the fact that on her tower the corpses of the leaders of the baptists Jan van Leiden, Bernd Krechting and Bernd Knipperdolling, often referred to as rebaptists, were hung up in iron baskets after their torture and execution.

St. Lamberti church Münster

Dat Otto Hus in Emden

"Dat Otto Huus" shows the career of the German comedian Otto from Emden, based on this little
museum cuddle cabinet.

Dat Otto Hus