Cycling in the Teutoburg Forest is an unforgettable experience for those who want to explore the diversity and beauty of Germany close to home. The Teutoburg Forest is a hidden gem in this regard. Germany And thus the perfect destination for cycling enthusiasts who are looking for a foreign destination, but close to home. If you are considering cycling in the Teutoburgerwald, prepare yourself for a beautiful hilly landscape. Our experiences in the idyllic Tecklenburg and Ibbenbüren, where we have been traveling for many kilometers for several years now, show that the Teutoburgerwald is a surprisingly challenging and varied cycling environment. Read on for our tips and start a wonderful adventure on the beautiful roads and trails of the Teutoburg Forest.
Basecamp Ibbenbüren
If you go cycling in the Teutoburgerwald, the town of Ibbenburen is a beautiful place that you can use as a base for your trips in the area. Here you are actually on the ‘northern side’ of the mountain range. In the Teutoburgerwald, this is the place where you can drive back and forth repeatedly. You are, among other things, close to the Dorenther Cliffs and if you drive south from the city, you can drive past/over them nicely.
Short and steep, or long and less steep.
From Ibbenburen you have plenty of choice when it comes to climbing. If you go via the northern side of the ‘cliffs’ towards Tecklenburg, you can get your hands wet after just a few minutes of cycling. You are on a stretch of road that is also called ‘the Alpenstrasse’. Suddenly you get 15% for your schnorrer. Typical cycling in the Teutoburgerwald, where all the climbs are short but steep.
After that, you drive along winding country roads towards the town of Tecklenburg, where you have a number of options to test your legs. The village is actually located on a kind of hill, and there are five roads leading to the central square, near the doll museum. Our choice for the uphill route is the Bahnhofstrasse, on the south side; it makes sense that it goes up along the station. You cover about 90 meters of elevation gain over almost 1.5 kilometers here, and there are quite a few sections above 10% meters. Once you’re up there, you do have some space to breathe out.
The descent over Osnabruckerstrasse is ultimately the most pleasant. It is nicely organized and therefore a pleasant way to descend.
Further, higher, longer
Once past Tecklenburg, the best route is towards Lengerich and behind this town you’ll find a mini Alpine landscape, which makes you almost think you’ve taken the Alsace exit. That’s not true at all. It’s still only 2.5 hours from Utrecht and you can really encounter several hairpin bends here, like at Lienen and the Lienenerberg.
Cima Coppi: Dörenberg
The climb to the Dörenberg is perhaps the Cima Coppi of this region. You climb here to an altitude of only 300 meters, but this climb is really irregular. From 4% to 20% and back to 9%. That won’t put you in a cold sweat. Here too, the curves are a delight. Cycling in the Teutoburgerwald is beautiful!
Learn more and get inspired
The route for a great exploration of the region can be found below. You also have a few great rides nearby, where the Tecklenburger Rundfahrt The most famous one is and also has the most climbs. Also on the website of Teutoburg Forest find interesting information about the region. Check out the Komoot Account of Cyclingdestination! Are you going cycling in Germany? The Teutoburgerwald is waiting for you!
The route from this story
- Germany: Mini Alps in the Teutoburg Forest111.2 km · 1,446 hmGPX ↓
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.