Tracing the legacy of the Peace of Westphalia
Your mission between the town halls of Osnabrück and Münster: to bring peace.
If you enjoy pedalling and want to step into the shoes of 17th-century messengers, the Peace Route is for you. This long-distance cycle route follows a significant part of German history. The ADFC-certified four-star quality route takes you along idyllic paths from the rolling hills of the Teutoburg Forest to the parklands of the Münsterland region.
166 kilometres of world history
Off you go!
Osnabrück and Münster served as negotiation sites for the Peace of Westphalia for over five years. In 1648, the Thirty Years’ War was officially brought to an end here. Back then, ‘peace riders’ carried messages between the two cities. Following in their footsteps makes for a fascinating cycle tour.
The circular route is excellently signposted throughout, and the 166 kilometres can be comfortably completed in stages of varying difficulty. With convenient rail links to Osnabrück and Münster and a dense network of cycle paths in the region, planning your journey is easy.
The entire route is marked with the distinctive Münster-Osnabrück Peace Route logo.
City of peace and a natural idyll
Discover scenic landscapes and places of historical significance. Your journey begins in the Peace City of Osnabrück, home to a Baroque town hall and the Hall of Peace. From there, the route leads through the Münsterland parklands, offering wide-open views across fields and orchards. Cyclists then follow the meadows of the Ems river to Greven, before encountering the green hills, rugged cliffs and wooded slopes of the Teutoburg Forest. The steep climbs are well worth it for the stunning panoramic views.
Western or eastern route
The Peace Route can be followed in two variants, both starting in Osnabrück with its striking town hall and historic Hall of Peace.
The western route leads through the Nature and Geopark TERRA.vita, past sites of industrial heritage and along the southern edge of the Teutoburg Forest. It passes through Lengerich and Tecklenburg – charming towns with picturesque half-timbered houses in their market squares, offering sweeping views across the Münsterland.
The eastern route passes through Hagen in the Teutoburg Forest, followed by the spa town of Bad Iburg and the saltwater health resort of Bad Laer, with landmarks such as the rocky ‘Piepsteine’. Before continuing to Ostbevern, cyclists can explore the Loburg Water Castle. The final stop before reaching Münster is the romantic pilgrimage town of Telgte, with its Baroque church – a monument in stone to the Peace of Westphalia.
Highlights along the Peace Route
