The WerseRadweg
A short summary
The Werseradweg is a 125 km long cycle path that leads through the south-eastern Münsterland region. It was opened in April 2007. The Werseradweg is named after the river Werse, which it follows over long stretches.
Route
WerseRadweg
The cycle path begins on the Ems in Rheda-Wiedenbrück and can therefore be perfectly combined with the Ems Cycle Path. Its course first leads via Stromberg, Oelde and Vellern to Beckum. From here, the cycle path follows the Werse for the first time, which originates in the Beckum mountains. The Werse leads the cycle path past the towns of Ahlen, Drensteinfurt and Sendenhorst towards Münster. The cycle path ends at Münster-Gelmer, where the Werse flows into the Ems. The WerseRadweg can therefore be combined with the parallel EmsRadweg to create a circular tour of 188 km.
A southern branch runs along the route of a former colliery railway from Ahlen to the river Lippe and, since 2011, via Uentrop to Hamm. From Hamm city centre, connecting routes are then possible along the Datteln-Hamm Canal or other cycle routes towards the Ruhr area.
Along the way, "storytelling stations" provide information on various topics, e.g.:
- Source of the Werse at the Kollenbach
- Limestone excavation
- City history
- Flood protection
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Track quality
WerseRadweg
The cycle path is mainly flat; with one uphill section between Rheda-Wiedenbrück and Stromberg. From Rheda-Wiedenbrück to Oelde, the route runs mainly along country roads and well-maintained farm tracks. Between Beckum and Ahlen as well as from Drensteinfurt to Münster - here the path runs directly along the Werse - the roadway mostly consists of a water-bound surface.
The section shortly after Beckum was resurfaced in 2021 and is therefore perfectly passable (see video).
Scenic highlights
WerseRadweg
The landscape that one passes through on this beautiful cycle path presents itself to the cyclist as extraordinarily varied. This is mainly due to the very different ground conditions.
In the upper reaches, where the subsoil is rich in limestone and where coal was also mined in the past, the landscape tells of industrial use. Cycling further west, one encounters an area of fertile clay soils, and the landscape is completely transformed. A mosaic of farms, meadows, fields and small forests tells of the farmers' life by and with the river. Finally, the lower reaches present a completely different picture. In the romantic floodplain landscape with its oxbow lakes, floodplains and sandbanks, the Werse shows a completely original face.
From Beckum to Ahlen and on via the colliery railway line to Hamm
Outward and return 54 km
We organised the tour individually and started from Beckum. Along the Werse, we first cycle along a very well-maintained cycle path with several viewing platforms (unfortunately not barrier-free) and rest areas in the direction of Ahlen. Shortly before Ahlen, you have the option of either continuing in the direction of Ahlen and then finally Münster or turning off in the direction of Hamm.
To the south in the direction of Hamm, the WerseRadweg runs along the route of the former works railway of the Westfalen colliery in Ahlen, which operated its own harbour on the Datteln-Hamm canal. With the closure of the colliery in 2000, however, the tracks became quiet. Thanks to the conversion into a cycle path, it is now easy to cycle along the Lippe.
Shortly before Hamm, the cyclist comes across the Lippeaue nature reserve. Here, the Lippe with its unsurfaced banks has remained largely natural, and the two silting oxbows are particularly valuable for endangered animal and plant species. The Lippe floodplain is a flora-fauna habitat area: Throughout Europe, such nature reserves ensure that the ecological interrelationships between the various natural areas are not interrupted or restored.
Behind the Lippe meadows, you reach the Datteln-Hamm canal, along which you cycle for a short distance. You reach the other side of the canal via a bridge and thus reach the city centre of Hamm or can continue on further cycle paths in the direction of the Ruhr area.
We decided to follow the nostalgia and visit Maximilianpark. Sabrina used to come here often with her family.
The Maximilian Park in Hamm
Side trip not only for families
If you are travelling with children and/or don't want to head straight back towards Beckum, Maximilianpark is a great option. The Maximilianpark is a leisure park that was built on the site of the disused Maximilian Colliery after the State Garden Show in 1984 and whose landmark is the glass elephant, a 40-metre-high walk-in sculpture. The coal washing plant was integrated into the glass elephant and relics from the mining era remind visitors of its history in the park.
Maximilianpark is located on the north bank of the Geithe Brook, 4.5 km east of the city centre of Hamm and 1.5 km south of the Datteln-Hamm Canal in Ostwennemar on the border with Werries in the municipality of Hamm-Uentrop.
The park is also part of the Route of Industrial Heritage and the Roman Route.
Admission to the park costs 5.00 euros for people with a disabled pass and an accompanying person can be taken along free of charge.
Conclusion
The WerseRadweg from Beckum to Hamm with Handbike
The WerseRadweg from Beckum to Hamm is a great day trip for the whole family, especially if you combine it with the Maximilianpark. The scenery is beautiful, there is little traffic and the quality of the route is really great.
Next time we'll cycle from Beckum to Münster ... In any case, we haven't been on this cycle path for the last time.
Next time
By handbike from Münster to Warendorf
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