The German Traffic Administration launched their new campaign this week Embrace. German. Nature, With the Dutch motto #Duitslanddichtbij. The message: sustainable travel, nature in your backyard, and it doesn't have to be far away. The fact that you can get around beautifully by bike in Germany proves it. Border route Teuto-Ems, Which was even put in the spotlight. By the way, don’t be fooled by the word ‘GrenzGanger’, because the route doesn’t really go across the border. But you do get to pass by some beautiful old smuggling trails. Because that is the theme of this route. Smuggling trails are intertwined with border areas, and although you still have to drive a bit to the actual physical border between the Netherlands and Germany, you can also see the smuggling trails here. What you can expect on this cycling route in the Osnabrücker and Münsterland
License: CC-BY
Smokers and salt – a little bit of history
The name says it all: borderers. In the 18th century, this area was a patchwork of kingdoms, and salt – the white gold – was considerably more expensive on one side of the border than on the other. Merchants traveled through the forests of the Teutoburger Wald to evade taxes. The modern bike route follows those old paths and crosses a historic border 14 times. Smuggler routes usually do well because of the story. This route is exactly the same in that respect. It also splits the Osnabrucker Land and Münsterland regions, so you’re driving through both Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.
What can you expect?
The route is a total of 149 kilometers long and has received no fewer than four ADFC stars. A rating that we don’t really pay much attention to normally, but in this case it gives an indication of the quality of the infrastructure and signage. Although you can get by with the GPX files in this article.
You cycle right through it UNESCO Geopark TERRA.vita, Here, where 300 million years of geological history lie on the surface and the landscape is varied, you will also find the following highlights:
- Teutoburg Forest: rolling forest paths with here and there a climb, especially around Bad Iburg en Borgholzhausen. It Teutoburg Forest is a favorite alternative to places like the Eifel or a weekend in Limburg. This region in Lower Saxony is just a stone's throw away.
- Ems ValleyMore beautiful, more open, quieter country roads where you can rest your legs for a while. You can also drive along the canal, which is also very beautiful.
- Artland: large farm buildings and agricultural landscape with opportunities for a break.
And then there are the spa towns. Bad Iburg has a tree-lined path with views over the forest, Bad Laer is known for its salt springs, which is also the explanation for the smuggling route: the evasion of the salt tax in the old days. We have attached a route to this and added an alternative with a few beautiful climbs in it.
The Grenzgänger route with the alternative route with climbing!
Practical
AccessibilityOsnabrück is a possible starting point, easily accessible by train from Utrecht or Amsterdam. Bicycles can be taken on the train; upon departure on Saturday morning, arrival is possible in the afternoon. By car, it is only a 2-hour drive from Utrecht to Osnabrück, which is quite manageable.
Season tipThe period from mid-April to the end of June coincides with ‘Spargelzeit’, also known as asparagus season; during this period, 49 asparagus farms and country inns are located directly on the route. If you’re looking for a good lunch on the way, you don’t have to look far.
Are you familiar with the Grenzgänger route? Which stops should you not miss? We would love to hear from you!
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.