Hase-Ems-Tour

Along the way, you will experience an unusually diverse river landscape. The Hase is an erratic river, occasionally changing direction, branching out into an inland delta, with sometimes swampy, sometimes steep banks. The Ems, on the other hand, is an important waterway that follows a straightforward and determined course.

Thousands of fruit trees line the Hase between its source in Melle and the mouth of the Ems in Meppen. They were planted 20 years ago as a model project of the German Federal Environmental Foundation, and now that the trees are fully grown, they bear the most beautiful fruit - primarily apples, cherries and pears, which ripen between June and September. At blossom time in spring, the fruit tree avenue is also a feast for the eyes.

However, the avenue is no more a reliable signpost than the course of the Hase itself. Because the rows of trees have gaps. And the course of the Hase branches shortly after the source in Gesmold. In this rare "bifurcation", the Else emerges without its own source. An educational water playground makes other water and river phenomena tangible here.

While the Else flows towards the Weser, the Hase and cycle path run in the direction of the Ems. You can't miss the right-hand watercourse, because just like all other cycle routes, the Hase-Ems tour is fully signposted and leads you reliably to Osnabrück, another attractive starting point. This is because the Hase characterizes parts of Osnabrück city centre and then accompanies the flowing transition into the Haseniederung nature reserve. 

Here, the Hase is already a powerful watercourse that has powered numerous mills. This was also the case in Bramsche, where the clothmakers' guild had been producing their fabrics using water power since the Middle Ages. The multi-award-winning Clothmakers' Museum showcases this history. The granary of the prince-bishopric of Osnabrück. You can recognize the prosperity by the splendid half-timbered houses decorated with carvings and paintings.

Shortly after Quakenbrück the Hase takes a turn and flows westwards towards the Ems. On its last few kilometers, including through the grain distillery town of Haselünne, it is full of natural attractions: kingfishers and beavers have made their home along its renaturalized course. At the historic town center of Meppen, capital of the Emsland, the Hase finally flows into the Ems, which now accompanies you on your way towards Lingen and Rheine . Experience the contrast: cargo ships with goods from all over the world are on their way on the great river. However, don't miss the turn-off to the Emsland Moor Museum, which shows the history of moorland formation and cultivation.

Our travel tip:

Hase-Ems leisure tour

Your stages:

Stage 1: Osnabrück - Bersenbrück, approx. 55 km
Stage 2: Bersenbrück - Löningen, approx. 58 km
Stage 3: Löningen - Meppen, approx. 45 km
Stage 4: Meppen - Lingen, approx. 40 km
Stage 5: Lingen - Rheine/Hörstel, approx. 55 km
Stage 6: Rheine/Hörstel - Osnabrück, approx. 40 km

Attractive package deals can be booked via www.hasetal.de