Münster to Cologne

Day 1: Cologne
Day 2: Cologne - Rhine Cycle Route - Düsseldorf, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 3: Düsseldorf - Mülheim/Ruhr, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Mülheim an der Ruhr - Gelsenkirchen, 31 mi. (49 km)
Day 5: Gelsenkirchen - Datteln, 28 mi. (44 km)
Day 6: Dattely - Lünen - Werne - Hamm, 28 mi. (45 km) or 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 7: Dattely - Lüdinghausen - Münster, 38 mi. (61 km) or 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 8: End of  trip after breakfast

Day 1: Cologne
Embarkation at approximately 4 pm in the city harbor. At 6 pm, you will enjoy a welcome reception on board with sparkling wine followed by dinner at 6.30 pm.

Day 2: Cologne - Rhine Cycle Route - Düsseldorf, 30 mi. (48 km)
Along the beautiful riverbank, you cycle along the Werseradweg through the green park landscape of the Münsterland until you follow the 100 castles route from Albersloh. After the manor houses Haus Bisping and Haus Borg you can admire the Westphalian Versailles, Schloss Nordkirchen, in the middle of a large baroque park. Along the banks of the Stever River, you will cycle into Lüdinghausen. There you are going to reach Vischering Castle. Circumnavigate the stunning Gräftenring and nearby Lüdinghausen Castle before re-entering the ship in order to travel via the Dortmund-Ems Canal to Datteln.

Elevation gain: 176 or 152 m

Day 3: Düsseldorf - Mülheim/Ruhr, 31 mi. (50 km)
Along the Lippe River, the route leads to Lünen and the listed Victoria coal mine settlement. After a few kilometers through nature and forest, Cappenberg Castle appears. About halfway along the way, the historic old town of Werne invites you to a stop at the market square with a view of the old town hall. On the Römer-Lippe route, you then cycle surrounded by waterways. A dam leads in between the Lippe and the Datteln-Hamm Canal to Maximilianpark in Hamm, the first renaturalized coal mine site in Germany. Here, a special adventure park has been created, with lakes, art, a butterfly house, the 40m high glass elephant, and relics of the mining era. Alternatively, to Oberwerries Castle in the Lippe meadows north of Hamm. At the end of the day, you will go back from Hamm to Datteln by ship.

Elevation gain: 190-227 m

Day 4: Mülheim an der Ruhr - Gelsenkirchen, 31 mi. (49 km)
Today is all about industrial culture. The old ship lift is the first spectacular structure you can visit. It was not until its completion in 1899 that the Dortmund-Ems Canal could be navigated all the way to Dortmund Harbor. From the ship lift, you will continue along the Industrial Culture Route to the heath and forest landscape of the Resser Mark. The Rhine-Herne Canal, the former Henrichenburg, Bladenhorst Castle, the Museum “Strom und Leben” and the former Recklinghausen II Colliery including its historic winding tower are on your route. The ship will be waiting for you in Gelsenkirchen harbor. The longer route includes a detour to Herten Castle and the idyllic old village of Westerholt. Here you can have another drink in the castle garden or on the village square surrounded by half-timbered houses before cycling to the city port of Gelsenkirchen.

Elevation gain: 210 m

Day 5: Gelsenkirchen - Datteln, 28 mi. (44 km)
You cycle along the Rhine-Herne Canal on the 7-bridge cycle path to the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex (UNESCO World Heritage Site). A walk across the grounds offers ever new vantage points of the imposing steel and brick facilities in Bauhaus architecture. The RuhrMuseum and the Red Dot Design Museum with 2000 exhibits are located on the grounds. After the many impressions, the cycle path then leads you to the banks of the Ruhr and to Lake Baldeney, the largest of the 6 Ruhr reservoirs. Villa Hügel, the home of the Krupp family of industrialists, is worth a short detour. From here you follow the RuhrtalRadweg to Mülheim an der Ruhr. Alternatively (shorter route) from Stoppenberg via the Ruhr cycle path to Mülheim. Around the city harbor, there is much to discover: among others, the Aquarius Water Museum, Styrum Castle Park, and the MüGa State Garden Show Park.

Elevation gain: 240 m

Day 6: Dattely - Lünen - Werne - Hamm, 28 mi. (45 km) or 37 mi. (59 km)
Via the Ruhr cycle path and along the Ruhr floodplains, you will first reach the Kettwiger reservoir. Cycle a bit on the Niederbergbahn panoramic bike path, an old railroad track that climbs a bit in parts, but also rewards you with very beautiful views. Along the Anger River, floodplain forests alternate with green meadows. Haus Anger and Gräfgenstein Castle, visible from afar, still bear witness to the age of knights. During a break in the beer garden of the Auermühle, you can relax and recharge for the remaining last kilometers. For those interested, the Cromford Textile Factory Museum, located in an old English landscape park, offers insights into cotton spinning 200 years ago. Cycle through the green countryside past Kalkum Castle to the banks of the Rhine and after a few kilometers on the Rhine Cycle Path reach the Quo Vadis landing stage in Düsseldorf. End the evening on the Rhine promenade and soak up the atmosphere of the special pub culture of the Rhenish metropolis.

Elevation gain: 348 m (flatter route is possible)

Day 7: Dattely - Lüdinghausen - Münster, 38 mi. (61 km) or 30 mi. (48 km)
Along the Rhine, the route first leads to Benrath Palace, one of the most beautiful late Baroque garden palaces in Europe. After this ornate complex, the path through the floodplain landscape of the Urdenbacher Kämpe with pollarded willows and hundreds of apple and pear trees is an enchanting contrast. You change the banks of the Rhine and the customs fortress of Zons with its mill and city wall transports you unawares to the Middle Ages. After a leisurely stretch through the green meadows of the Rhine, the backdrop becomes industrial once again in view of the Ford factories on your right. The Rhine on your left leads you directly to the old Roman city of Cologne, where the Quo Vadis awaits you in the central Rheinauhafen.

Elevation gain: 159 m

Day 8: End of  trip after breakfast

Day 1: Arrival in Münster
Day 2: Münster - Datteln, 43 mi. (69 km)
Day 3: Datteln - Lünen - Werne - Hamm, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Datteln - Gelsenkirchen, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Gelsenkirchen - Mülheim an der Ruhr, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Mülheim / Ruhr - Düsseldorf, 31 mi. (50 km) 
Day 7: Düsseldorf - Rhine Cycle Path - Cologne, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 8: End of the trip after breakfast

All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change, at times without prior notice.  Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.

Day 1: Arrival in Münster
Embarkation begins at 4 pm. You will have time before dinner to do some exploring. Münster is one of Germany's most appealing smaller cities, with a 1,200-year history, a town center that blends the medieval with modern, and the lively atmosphere that comes from having a university with 39,000 students. The promenade is a wide path, located where the old city wall would have been, and completely encompasses the city center. It’s a cyclist‘s dream.

Day 2: Münster - Datteln, 43 mi. (69 km) 
Today's route combines the Werse Cycle Path and the 100-Castle Route. The Werse Bike Trail (Werseradweg) is a high-quality riverside biking trail that follows the winding Werse River.  The landscape is varied and at times, rolling, and the route is well-marked. The 100-Castle Route in Münsterland meanders through the region's picturesque parklands and features fairytale moated castles and splendid baroque palaces. In Nordkirchen, be sure to stop to see the Nordkirchen Palace, the Versailles of the Münsterland. There is a shorter route available as well.

Elevation gain: 194 m

Day 3: Datteln - Lünen - Werne - Hamm, 28 mi. (45 km)
Your ride features the Römer - Lippe Route along the Lippe River, the longest river in the North Rhine-Westphalia region.  This relatively new route replaces the former Roman Route with new sections and detours. Your route then leads to Cappenberg Castle and further on to Werne with its beautiful historic old town. Overnight in Hamm, dating back to the 13th century and once a member of the powerful Hanseatic League of trading cities.

Elevation gain: 190 m 

Day 4: Datteln - Gelsenkirchen, 25 mi. (40 km)
The former industrial culture that has been transformed into artistic and cultural hotspots is the focus today. The old ship lift is the first spectacular structure that you will come across.  Only with its completion could the Dortmund-Ems Canal be navigated to the Dortmund Harbor in 1899. From the boat lift, you bike the Industrial Culture Route that leads into the heather and forest landscape of the Resser Mark. The Rhine-Herne Canal, the former Henrichenburg, Bladenhorst Castle, the Strom and Museum Leben, and the former Recklinghausen II Colliery are worth visiting and are on your route. The ship will be waiting for you in Gelsenkirchen Harbor.

Elevation gain: 170 m 

Day 5: Gelsenkirchen - Mülheim an der Ruhr, 31 mi. (50 km)
From Gelsenkirchen over a former railway line, the route leads to Mülheim an der Ruhr. One highlight is the 7-bridge Cycle Path from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein. The Bauhaus-style former industrial complex is considered the world's most beautiful coal mine. The bike path then takes you to the banks of the Ruhr, to the Baldeneysee, and the Villa Hügel. From here you follow the Ruhr Cycle Path to Mülheim an der Ruhr, the City on the River. Alternatively, you can cycle from Stoppenberg via the Ruhr cycle route and then on to Mülheim. There is surprisingly much to discover around the city harbor, the Aquarius Water Museum, Syrum Castle Park, and the MüGa State Horticultural Show Park.

Elevation gain: 250 m 

Day 6: Mülheim / Ruhr - Düsseldorf, 31 mi. (50 km) 
Leaving Mülheim on the Ruhr Cycle Path, the route leads first to the Kettwig Reservoir. You will then connect with yet another bike path, the Niederbergbahn Bike Path. Even though the surrounding landscape is quite hilly, this cycle path is incredibly relaxing, as it leads along a former railway line. It is part of the 300 kilometer-long Panoramic Bike Trail network. Cycling alongside the Anger River leads you to the Rhine Cycle Path near Kaiserswerth. You then cycle about 8 km along the banks of the Rhine before you reach Düsseldorf.

Elevation gain: 348 m

Day 7: Düsseldorf - Rhine Cycle Path - Cologne, 28 mi. (45 km)
First up as you cycle is Benrath Palace Park. Both Benrath Palace and the 61-hectare park are popular attractions in the south of Düsseldorf. Home to more than 80 species of birds, the garden is equally popular with art and nature lovers. Continuing onward, you follow the Rhine Cycle Path. Just before reaching your final destination, Cologne, you will see the towering cathedral on the horizon, beckoning as you approach the oldest of the bigger German cities, founded by the Romans in 38 BC.

Elevation gain: 148 m

Day 8: End of the trip after breakfast