Isselburg: Watchtower, Moated Castle and Wildlife Park

In Isselburg, different interests lead to their own discoveries: from the medieval watchtower and the gardens of Anholt Moated Castle to wildlife watching and walking trails. There is also specific guidance for cycling trips, with several routes and their stated total distances. Before looking for accommodation, you can decide whether culture, nature or outdoor activities should shape your stay.

The watchtower as a distinctive landmark

The watchtower in Isselburg was built around 1417: the Duke of Cleves had it constructed as a corner tower in the town’s Cleves fortifications. The 15th-century tower is about 15 metres high, and its walls are up to 1.75 metres thick. Its height, massive walls and role as part of a fortification make the building easy to appreciate even without a lengthy explanation. If you plan to visit, note the designated opening times: on the first and third Sunday of each month from May to October, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and by individual appointment. Check the information before your visit.

Gardens and art at Anholt Moated Castle

The historic landscape park at Anholt Moated Castle covers 34 to 35 hectares. Baroque pleasure gardens, English landscape gardens and a rose garden showcase different garden styles. If you are interested in landscaped grounds, you can focus your visit on the contrasts between these areas.

The castle is also home to a private art collection that has grown over time and includes more than 700 paintings. It features works by important Dutch, Flemish, German, Spanish and Italian masters. Important for planning: the picture gallery is currently not part of the regular tour. The main castle contains formal rooms and salons with princely art collections. Other historic features include the 12th-century keep known as the “Dicker Turm” (“Fat Tower”) and a medieval court kitchen dating from the 15th century. These areas have been made accessible to the public as part of guided tours; check current tour dates before your visit.

Nature and trails in Isselburg-Vehlingen

Anholter Schweiz Wildlife Park in Isselburg-Vehlingen covers around 56 hectares. More than 50 native animal species can be seen in the park. Facilities include a walk-through meadow with donkeys and fallow deer, a goat enclosure and a large playground. Public feeding sessions are also held daily; schedules may change seasonally or temporarily. So check the details before your visit.

Six kilometres of well-maintained walking trails in the wildlife park are also suitable for wheelchair users. These are separate from the walking trails around Isselburg, which follow quiet riverbanks, pass through green forests and go by local districts. This gives you different ways to balance nature and activity—from trails inside the wildlife park to walks in the surrounding area.

Compare cycling routes by distance and itinerary

The “Stadt-Land-Fluss” cycle route passes through Isselburg and is about 53 kilometres long. The western section of the Hohe Mark cycle route is about 115 kilometres long and runs through Borken, Raesfeld, Hamminkeln, Isselburg, Bocholt and Rhede. At about 53 kilometres, the “Stadt-Land-Fluss” cycle route is shorter than the approximately 115-kilometre western section of the Hohe Mark cycle route, which runs through Borken, Raesfeld, Hamminkeln, Isselburg, Bocholt and Rhede. Another point of reference is the Bocholter Aa cycle path, which runs from Velen to the mouth of the Bocholter Aa at the Oude IJssel in Isselburg.

You can also choose different focuses when walking and cycling: the walking trails described here pass along riverbanks, through forests and local areas, while the cycle paths have named routes and itineraries. Deciding which of these will shape your stay can help you plan each day of your trip.

Borken as a regional context

Looking at the wider district within the broader travel destination of Borken offers another cycling perspective. The district has a well-developed cycle network spanning more than 5,000 kilometres, with routes away from busy roads. Themed cycling routes in Borken district and Münsterland include the 100 Castles Route, the Hohe Mark cycle route and the Flamingo Route. These regional options complement the specific routes that pass through Isselburg.

Choose accommodation based on the focus of your stay

If you are looking for accommodation in Isselburg, it helps to first decide what matters most: the gardens and historic rooms of the moated castle, the wildlife park and its trails, or a longer cycling trip? Focus your search accordingly, and when considering a specific property, check whether its location suits the visits you have planned.

Discover more destinations: Borken, Vreden, Rhede, Velen, Heek, Südlohn, Heiden, Legden.

Go to the broader travel overview: Borken.