Back Roads Germany (Dk Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

90

NORDRHEIN-

WESTFALEN

Lippe^

Stev

er

Lippe

Ste

ve

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Stever

KALKAR

XANTEN

SCHLOSS

RAESFELD

SCHLOSS

LEMBECK

BURG

VISCHERING

SCHLOSS

NORDKIRCHEN

BURG

HÜLSHOFF

MÜNSTER

Uedem

Millingen Mussum

Wissel

Marienbaum

Brünen

Dingden

Rhade

Merfeld

Lembeck

Albachten

Sprakel

Hansell

Temming

Altenberge

Nordwalde

Roxel

Hiddingsel

Appelhülsen

Sythen

Seppenrade

Sinsen

Hiltrup

Amelsbüren

Wulfen

Büderich

Ossenberg

Polsum

Hassel

Nordkirchen

Heelden

Westenborken

Havelich

Kehrum

Hönnepel

Balberg Unterbirten

Peddenberg

Flüren

Beek

Marienthal

Weddern

Ottmarsbocholt

Hausdülmen

Erle

Freiheit

Hervest

Holsterhausen

Hullern

Friedrichsfeld

Hünxerwald

Grafschaft

Bocholt

Wesel

Dorsten

Marl

Dinslaken

Rhede

Rees

Hamminkeln

Raesfeld

Nottuln

Havixbeck

Borken

Dülmen

Senden

Ascheberg

Lüdinghausen

Schermbeck

Haltern

Olfen

Selm

Werne

Oer-Erkenschwick

Rheinberg

Alpen

Voerde

Hünxe Datteln

Recklinghausen Waltrop

BACK ROADS GERMANY

Palaces and Castles of Münsterland

The plains on the German-Dutch border see few visitors except those who

stop by Westphalia’s (Nordrhein-Westfalen) capital, the lively university city

of Münster. Yet, with its short distances and straight roads, Münsterland

provides per fect back roads touring. It is a sparsely populated landscape

of half-timbered farmsteads, windmills, and woods, as well as of spires that

soar above neat market squares. The countryside is dotted with numerous

moated castles and manor houses on artificial islets – the hundred or so

Wasserschlösschen (water castles) from a feudal past still largely privately

owned by noble families. Starting at the historic town of Kalkar, this

tour takes drivers to the architecturally rich city of Münster.

Above Rapeseed flowers on the road to Schloss Lembeck, see p91

KEY

Drive route

0 kilometers

0 miles

10

10

PLAN YOUR DRIVE

Start/finish: Kalkar to Münster.

Number of days: 2 days, allowing half a day to explore Münster.

Distance: 97 miles (156 km).

Road conditions: The region has well-marked roads.

There is some congestion during rush hour in the short

section of the road into Münster.

When to go: It is best to visit this region in late spring

or summer, when palace gardens are in full bloom.

Opening times: Most restaurants are closed either on

Mondays or Tuesdays.

Main market days: Kalkar: Thu; Xanten: Mon, Thu & Sat;

Münster: Wed & Sat (produce and crafts market).

Major festivals: Münster: The Send (funfair and crafts

market) early Mar, 3rd or 4th weekend in Jun & Sept.