The Tödden or Tüötten were travelling merchants who travelled from northern Münsterland and southern Emsland to the Netherlands to sell their goods between the 17th and 19th centuries. The origins of the textile chain C&A and the former fashion department stores' Hettlage can be traced back to these traders. This long-distance cycle route was developed a few years ago to ensure that this old culture is not forgotten. More than twenty information boards along the route tell of the traders' activities. Museums and Tödden houses show their life back then. The route runs through regions with varied landscapes, such as the "Heiliges Meer" nature reserve, where the kingfisher breeds, over the hilly Schafberg plateau as well as flat moorland and heathland.
Character
The circular route is uniformly signposted with the Tödden symbol and mostly follows flat farm tracks and side roads. The Schafberg plateau has to be crossed twice. However, the small effort is rewarded with a beautiful view.
Route
Ibbenbüren - Hopsten - Beesten - Messingen - Freren - Schale - Halverde - Recke - Mettingen - Ibbenbüren
Route and addresses at www.toeddenland-radweg.de
Tour combinations
Connection e.g. in Ibbenbüren to the 100 Castles Route Münsterland.
Arrival/means of transport
Arrival and departure by train to Ibbenbüren, Ibbenbüren-Laggenbeck and Ibbenbüren-Esch, DB cyclists' hotline on 0180 6 99 66 33 (20 ct/call from a landline, max. 60 ct/call from a mobile phone). www.bahn.de
Cycle-friendly accommodation
Ringhotel Mutter Bahr in Ibben-Bühren-Uffeln, www.mutter-bahr.de
Old Greve inn in Recke, www.hotel-greve.de
Hotel Bergeshöhe in Mettingen, www.hotel-bergeshoehe.de
Further addresses under: www.bettundbike.de
Package deals under www.tourismus-ibbenbueren.de and www.toeddenland-radweg.de
Maps & Literature
BVA Spiralo cycle map "Töddenland-Radweg" 1:50,000.
Information (general)
AG Anlieger Töddenland-Radweg, c/o Stadtmarketing Ibbenbüren, Bachstr. 14, 49477 Ibbenbüren,
Tel. 05451/5454540, www.tourismus-ibbenbüren.de
