Artland-Rad-Tour

The route of the Artland Cycle Tour was revised and re-signposted in April 2022. You can find the current route on this website.

The Artland Cycle Tour offers plenty of tasty stage destinations and deep insights into the unique Artland farm culture along the way. Along the way, you can enjoy the beauty of the old, fertile cultivated land, the river landscape of the Hase, a detour to the moor and numerous encounters with history. Rolling cornfields against a backdrop of deep green forests, reed-lined watercourses amidst lush pastures and, in between, impressive farmsteads with ancient trees and mighty hedges - guests on two wheels today appreciate the scenic richness of the Artland. 

The farmers on around 700 farms to the left and right of the River Hase have always appreciated the wealth they owe to the fertile soil. They proudly displayed their prosperity on their houses, whose half-timbered façades were decorated by craftsmen with elaborate carvings and paintings. Today, many of the listed farms cater for guests and sell local produce in farm stores. And in some places, you will also find accommodation for the night under the ancient oak beams - in cosy vacation apartments or adventurously romantic in the hay.

The half-timbered houses also characterize the towns and villages of Artland - especially the old Burgmanns- und Hansestadt Quakenbrück, today the economic and cultural center of the region. But clear signs of early prosperity can also be found in the smaller towns. For example in magnificent churches such as the Artländer Cathedral. Or in the special way in which Menslage and Gehrde are laid out: The houses around the church are close together, with only a few gates leading into the "Kirchring". If danger threatened, these gates were closed and the supplies and treasures of the town could be defended against besiegers like in a castle. 
How long the fertile Artland has been settled is evidenced by megalithic tombs around 5,000 years old on the Ankumer Heights. 
Their builders are considered to be the first farmers of the northwest. You should not carelessly cycle past more recent monuments either. Everding's windmill in Groß-Mimmelage, Fürstenau Castle and the former Cistercian monastery Börstel Abbey 
If you have well stocked your provisions basket in one of the farm stores, then you can also enjoy a perfect break in the deep forests and moorland between Berge and Menslage.

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