Let Mönchengladbach surprise you

Hip, rich in culture and rural: that is Mönchengladbach, the cozy German city just across the border at Roermond. This route takes you through the center and the green lungs of the city, but also past two castles: Slot Rheydt and Slot Wickrath.

Hotspot Mönchengladbach
The Alter Markt is the core of historic Mönchengladbach. You will pass the Sankt Maria Himmelfahrt, a thirteenth-century church. Nearby is the Gasthaus Sankt Vith, a seventeenth-century monument that stands out for its yellow color. Step off to walk across the Alter Markt and adjacent Kapuzinerplatz and soak up the atmosphere. There are plenty of cozy terraces and cafes to be found here.

Green lungs
There are many city parks and forests in and around Mönchengladbach. In the center you cycle past the Hans-Jonas-Park and through the Geropark, two popular city parks. On the eastern edge of Mönchengladbach you drive through the Hoppbruch, a forest area that is intersected by two streams. You can cycle through the refreshing shade under the foliage of deciduous trees such as oak and beech. You can also enjoy the peace and nature around Wickrath Castle. The route starts and ends at this castle.

Gladbach Castles
Wickrath Castle is a baroque moated castle on the river Niers. There must have been a castle here as early as the eleventh century. In the eighteenth century, a pleasure castle was built to a design by two master builders from Maastricht. Only the eastern and western outer bailey and the baroque garden remain. The current mansion dates from the nineteenth century. On the way to the castle (Trompeterallee) you will see many monumental houses from the period around 1900. About halfway you will pass the beautiful Renaissance castle Rheydt. This castle is a fortress and showpiece palace in one. The current building was built on the medieval foundations in the sixteenth century. The castle is definitely worth a visit.