The most beautiful cycling routes in the area around Rees
Route 1 - Planet Route - 18.3km 1h13 (easy) - Follow the planets of the solar system by bike.
This tour takes you along the first planetary route on the Lower Rhine. It starts at the sculpture park and leads along the dike over the Rees-Mehr cycle path. On this cycle route you will learn interesting facts about our solar system and the planets. The route takes you past the Rees districts Haffen and Mehr and Bellinghoven Castle. Through the Sonsfeld meadows and along the Reeser Meer you cycle back to the starting point.
Route 02 - Evening route - 18.7km 1h16 (easy) - Sunset at Reeser Lake.
This tour is a special experience in the evening hours, because you have the opportunity to see the sunset on the Herkener Meer, the Reeser Meer and from the dike. This tour takes you past the ruins of Empel Castle. Empel Castle was first mentioned in a document from 1339. Over the centuries, eras and owners have constantly changed this estate before the war put it to sleep. The cultural office of the city of Rees offers public tours of the restored castle ruins. Via the Herkener Meer through Haldern, the route follows the Reeser Meer along the dike back to Rees.
Route 03 - On the way to freedom (short route) - 21.1km 1h26 (easy) - A cross-border journey.
This cross-border walk follows the route of the so-called “Memorial Walk”, which is walked together by Dutch and Germans every year on the 2nd Sunday in March in memory of the former forced laborers during the Second World War. While the “Path to Freedom” of the “Memorial Walk” is usually walked from the former forced labor camp in Rees-Groin to Megchelen, this walk offers the opportunity to cycle along two of the escape routes from the winter of 1944/45.
Route 04 - Old Rhine Route - 27km 1h50 (easy) - Tour through protected nature and landscape areas.
This tour takes you through large protected nature and landscape areas with rare bird and plant species. The route starts in Rees and runs via Esserden along the Bienener Altrhein to Grietherbusch. The Old Rhine in Griehterbuch and Grietherort is one of the most beautiful waters of the Lower Rhine. Here you can still see and experience the untouched, natural landscape of the Lower Rhine. Nature lovers can observe herons, ducks and snipes, wild geese and swans. The route continues via Bienen to Millingen along the Millinger Meer, which is also an oxbow lake and has excellent water quality for swimming. From Millingen the route returns to Rees via Empel.
Tour 05 - Pure nature - 26.7 km 1h50 (easy) - Explore the right and left banks of the Rhine with two ferry connections.
From Rees you can take the ferry “Rääße Pöntje” to the other side of the Rhine. From there you cycle along the Rhine through the fascinating landscape of the Lower Rhine to Grieth. From the former Hanseatic city of Grieth you take the ferry “Inseltreue B” to Grietherort. You return to Rees via the Gietherorter Altrhein. Note: This tour is only possible in combination with the ferries “Rääße Pöntje” and “Inseltreue B”. The ferry season starts on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter) and ends on the last Sunday in October. During this period the ferry sails on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 19:00. You can find more information about the ferries at www.niederrheinfaehre.de
Tour 06 - Sculpture Route - 27.6km 1h50 (easy) - Experience art by bike.
On this tour through Rees and its neighborhoods you will find both abstract and figurative objects by Belgian, Dutch and German artists. There is a separate brochure for this, which is available at the tourist office on Markt 41 and as a PDF download brochure .
Tour 07 - The classic - 34.7km 2h2 0 (medium) - Highlight tour with several Rhine crossings and a visit to the oldest town on the Lower Rhine.
On this tour you cycle from Rees along the Rhine Cycle Path in the direction of Wesel. On the way you pass the districts of Haffen and Mehr before you reach Bislich, where you can take the ferry “Keer Tröch II” to Xanten. From the Xantener Steiger you have the opportunity to make a detour to the historic center of Xanten, which is about 3 km away. From the Steiger the bike tour continues along the South and North Seas of Xanten, which are considered a paradise for water sports, swimming, entertainment and relaxation. Finally, the ferry “Rääße Pöntje” takes you back to Rees. Note: This tour is only possible in combination with the ferries “Rääße Pöntje” and “Keer Tröch II”. The ferry season starts on Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter) and ends on the last Sunday in October. During this period, the ferries operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 19:00. More information about the ferries can be found at www.niederrheinfaehre.de and www.bislich.de
Tour 08 - To Anholter Switzerland, bike tour to Anholt - 37km 2h30 (medium) - Anholter Schweiz is a landscape and wildlife park near Anholt in Isselburg-Vehlingen, close to the German-Dutch border in the far west of Münsterland.
This tour goes from Rees via Vehlingen along the "Biotopwildpark Anholter Schweiz", where you have the opportunity to observe wolves and lynxes, among other things. There is also the opportunity to visit the moated castle of Anholt with its museum and the castle park, which is definitely worth it.
Tour 09 - 7 in one go - 40km 2h45 (medium) - This tour takes you through seven districts of Rees.
On the route from Rees to Haffen and more, you first cycle over the dike crown cycle path and enjoy an unforgettable view of the Rhine. The route then takes you along the "Reeser Meer", which is an Eldorado for sailors, divers, surfers, cyclists and nature lovers. The protected churches in Haffen and Mehr are definitely worth a visit. Past the moated castle of Bellinghoven (Bellinghoven originated as an earthen terp castle with a tower, surrounded by a moat. It was expanded in the 14th century as a fortification to protect the surrounding land. In 1598 the Spaniards conquered the castle and part of the buildings went up in flames. The castle was rebuilt from the ruins and Bellinghoven Castle was created. In 1974 the castle was transferred to the Caritas association for the city of Oberhausen as a sponsor of the association “Die Brücke”, which has made it its mission to help young people in danger and offer them curative education there) and a detour through the forest of Haldern, you reach the Haldern district with its many protected buildings. In the direction of Empel and Millingen you cycle around the “Herkener Meer” and at the “Millinger Meer” there is a very nice restaurant with a direct view of the water. On the last stage back to Rees the route takes you past Hueth Castle in Bienen. In this venerable building, holiday homes can also be rented. The almost 40 km long circular walk ends in Rees. Here you can visit the Rhine promenade, the casemates, the mill tower, the museum and many other sights.
Tour 10 - On the route along the 3 rivers - 43km 3h00 (medium) - Partial stage of the 3 Rivers Route.
During this tour you cycle part of the 3 Rivers Route. A beautiful connecting route shortens the entire route to a beautiful day trip. You start in Rees and cycle via Empel and Haldern to Mehrhoog. From there the tour continues via Mehr and Haffen back to Rees.
Tour 11 - Castles and palaces - 44.9km 3h05 (medium) - During this tour you will discover old and historical walls.
From Rees, the route goes via Esserden to Bienen. You pass Hueth Castle. The former moated castle, built in 1361, served as a shelter for the inhabitants of the area during floods. In the second half of the 17th century, the moated castle of Hueth was converted into a castle. Today it is privately owned. Via Millingen, the route runs past the ruins of Empel Castle. Empel Castle was first mentioned in a document from 1339. Over the centuries, eras and owners have changed this estate continuously before the war put it to sleep. The cultural department of the city of Rees offers public tours of the restored castle ruins. Via Groin, the route runs past Haus Aspel, an example of castle history spanning more than a thousand years. The hilltop castle was built around 950, was converted into a stone castle in the 12th century and became a palace in the 17th century. In 1851, the “Daughters of the Holy Cross” (an international religious order) founded their first German branch there. Every year, classical concerts are held on the grounds of Haus Aspel. You can reach Bellinghoven Castle via Haldern. Bellinghoven Castle originated as a castle with a tower on a hill, surrounded by a moat. It was expanded in the 14th century as a fortification to protect the surrounding land. In 1598, the Spanish conquered the castle and part of the buildings went up in flames. The castle was rebuilt from the ruins and Bellinghoven Castle was created. In 1974, the castle was transferred to the Caritas Association for the City of Oberhausen as a sponsor of the association “Die Brücke”, which has made it its mission to help at-risk youth and offer them curative education there.
Tour 12 - Dike and dunes - 47.1km 3h10 (medium) - The tour takes you along the left and right banks of the Rhine through the Kleve district.
After crossing the Rhine via the Kalkar-Rees Rhine Bridge, which was opened to traffic in 1967, you first reach Kalkar via Hanselaer. The route then leads to Wissel with its three-aisled tuff basilica from the mid-12th century. You reach Emmerich via the longest suspension bridge in Germany and cycle back to Rees over the dike and through the nature reserve "Hetter". Here you can find more information about the cities of Kalkar and Emmerich .
Tour 13 - On the road to freedom (long route) ☺ - 54.2km 3h45 (medium) - Cross-border tour to the neighbours.
This cross-border tour also includes a section of the so-called “Memorial Walk”, which is walked together by Dutch and Germans every year on the 2nd Sunday in March in memory of the former forced laborers during the Second World War. As a cycling tour, the route has been extended in line with the theme of forced laborers on their way to freedom, so that it passes the following memorials, among others: Memorial in the city garden of Rees and at the bus station of Rees. Honorary cemetery Haldern (Turmallee), Haus Aspel (former hospital), forced labor camp Groin (information board at Melatenweg 152), emergency shelter “De Moezeköttel” Megchelen (NL), grave and statue of Mies Neuhaus Megchelen (NL), memorial at the church in Bienen, Jewish cemetery on the city wall of Rees.
Tour 14 - Culture(o)ur 54.8km 3h40 (medium) - The tour for lovers of old buildings, parks and history.
During the tour you will have the opportunity to get to know the planned and spacious city centre of Kalkar, which has been preserved in its original form and is recognised as an international cultural monument. Old houses with stepped gables surround the market square with its centuries-old lime tree (1545) and the mighty Gothic town hall (1446) that dominates the market square. You can visit the famous Moyland Castle, which houses the world's largest collection of works by Joseph Beuys, the castle garden with its sculpture park, one of the largest herb gardens in the region and the hydrangea collection with more than 2,500 plants from over 530 varieties. The viewing platform of the North Tower offers a wonderful view over the landscape of the Lower Rhine. The Hohe Mühle in Uedem dates back to the 13th century and is one of the oldest stone windmills on the Lower Rhine. The tower houses a permanent exhibition on the history of shoemaking and clog making in Uedem.
Tour 15 - Two Bridges 57.9km 3h55 (challenging) - Bridges connect and help overcome obstacles. Travel from Rees to the district town of Wesel and cross the Rhine to the “gönne Kant”. Then return to Rees on the left bank of the Rhine.
From Rees, you travel upstream to Wesel and cross the Rhine on the bridge that was opened to traffic in 2009. The tour then takes you through the well-known Bislicher Insel nature reserve, which is particularly important for wetland-dependent birds. In addition to 20,000 to 30,000 Arctic wild geese (mainly greylag geese, white-fronted geese and white-fronted geese), rare and endangered species winter and nest there. Since 2017, the only wild pair of white-tailed eagles in NRW has regularly raised young here. Storks, herons and a variety of rare insects can also be observed here. After a detour to the city centre of Xanten, the route takes you past the South and North Seas, which are considered a paradise for water sports, swimming, entertainment and relaxation, along the Rhine back to Rees, where you use the Kalkar-Rees Rhine Bridge to cross the river. Here you will find more information about the cities of Wesel and Xanten .
Tour 16 - Between the Rhine and the Niers 65.5km 4h25 (challenging) - From the big river to the small river.
This tour takes you via Kalkar and the Lower Rhine ridge, past Louisendorf and Pfalzdorf, first to Goch, the birthplace of Saint Arnold Janssen, founder of the Steyl missionaries. Along the Niers and through the Kalbecker Heide you reach Uedem on the Pfalzdorf ridge. A detour to the Hohe Mühle is worthwhile because of the beautiful view. The route continues to the pilgrimage site of Marienbaum and from there via quiet country lanes and farm tracks back to Rees.
Tour 17 - Cross-border traffic 67.2km 4h35 (challenging) - This tour takes you through the Lower Rhine, the Münsterland and the Netherlands.
The route first leads over the Rhine dike and then on both sides of the state border through the nature reserve "Hetter", one of the most important wetlands in North Rhine-Westphalia, where rare animal and plant species have found a protected habitat. Further on you will come across sights such as the "Mouzeköttel" in Azewijn, Huis Landfort in Gendringen, the moated castle of Anholt, the biotope wildlife park "Anholter Schweiz" in Vehlingen, as well as the city tower in Isselburg and the ruins of Haus Empel castle.
Tour 18 - To Issel and Aa 75.3km 5h00 (challenging) - A journey to the Münsterland.
The tour first takes you to the excavations of Reeser Meer, Lohrward and Bergen and to the Diersfordter Bos, from there via Mehrhoog and through the floodplains of the Issela to the centre of Werth with its medieval town hall and tower mill from 1498. Along the Bocholter Aa you reach Isselburg with its interesting historical 15th century fortress tower and 16th century town hall. Via Vehlingen, Millingen and Bienen you cycle back to Rees.
Tour 19 - the 3-Rivers-Route 161.5km 10h34 (challenging) - This tour connects the Lower Rhine with the Münsterland and is the ideal route for real cycling enthusiasts.
The 3-Rivers-Route meets the Rhine, the Issel and the Lippe. It connects Rees, Hamminkeln, Hünxe, Raesfeld, Schermbeck, Voerde and Wesel. The beautiful interplay of land and river gives this tour its special charm. Experience a relaxed bike ride and visit the many sights in the region. Of course, there are also variations possible, which you can adapt yourself, for example via the Lower Rhine Route and the connecting routes. More information on 3-fluesse-route .
Made possible by Outdooractive / the City of Rees, the routes have a starting point from Rees, some routes can be started from Bed en Breakfast Ravelin , see the details in the Outdooractive route planner.
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