Village Church Cycle Route Variant 1

The tour starts at the timber and tourism center in Schmallenberg - the central starting point for both variants of the village church cycle route. From the very first few meters, there is a magnificent view of the town with the striking parish church of St. Alexander, surrounded by hills and fields. An ideal place for a first photo - for example on the large panoramic picture frame, which sets the scene for the expansive landscape.We cycle leisurely out of the town on the SauerlandRadring, passing several stations on the family adventure trail. Shortly afterwards, we reach Fleckenberg. A short detour onto the B236 leads us to the church of St. Antonius in the town center, the first quiet place on this route. Directly behind it is the small chapel of St. Agatha, which we cycle past. This is where the transition into the spiritual landscape of the village church route begins.We follow the course of the River Lenne through a quiet, natural valley. Wooded slopes accompany us on the left, while the view of meadows and streams opens up again and again on the right. Once you arrive in Lenne, it is worth taking a longer break at the St. Vincentius cycle and hiking trail church - a place of tranquillity with a special atmosphere. Next to the church, a lovingly laid out Bible garden invites you to linger: Plants and places are assigned to quotations from the Holy Scriptures - a vine, ivy vines, a rock. Shady spots with benches offer the opportunity to be completely in the here and now for a moment. Particularly practical for cyclists: there is an e-bike charging station directly on the site.After Lenne, we follow the quiet Uentroptal valley - first flat, then with a steady incline up a paved path. The ascent requires some strength, but is easy to manage on an e-bike. We head back towards Fleckenberg via Latroper Straße. In the village, we cycle back to the St. Agatha chapel. After a short visit, we cycle back a little way and turn left uphill into Im Siepen. After a few bends, we reach the 14 Nothelfer Chapel, framed by two old lime trees - a place of power with a view of the valley, ideal for a contemplative break.We roll along the Scheeweg with a beautiful view towards Schmallenberg. There the path leads along the town park and on through the valley to Grafschaft - lined with tall birch trees. The imposing grounds of Grafschaft Abbey with the baroque parish church of St. George and the Anno Chapel can be seen from afar. Today, the monastery houses a specialist hospital; on Wednesdays and Sundays, visitors can visit the small museum on the history of the monastery. The well-kept half-timbered architecture and flower-filled gardens of the "golden village" of Grafschaft invite you to pause for a moment after visiting the monastery.A steep climb now leads up through the forest to the "Blinker", an art installation on the WaldSkulpturenWeg. Once at the top, the effort is rewarded with a sweeping view of Grafschaft and the Wilzenberg. The route continues towards Oberkirchen, where the church of St. Gertrud is located in the heart of the village - surrounded by half-timbered houses, fountains and flowers. Particularly worthwhile: a look inside at the ornate high altar. If you like, you can take a break for refreshments in Oberkirchen.The trail continues along the edge of the forest into the valley, accompanied by the course of the River Lenne. In Winkhausen, we come across the simple chapel of St. Katharina. You can catch a glimpse of the interior through a lattice window, with seating in front of it inviting you to take a break.Now the most challenging part of the route begins: the ascent up the Wilzenberg. Across fields and past the Kreuz zur Linde, we climb the sacred mountain of the Sauerland. At the top, not only a small chapel awaits us, but also a breathtaking panoramic view - for all those who are not afraid of the additional walk to the Wilzenberg tower. Silence, the sound of the forest, vastness - a place made for a moment of contemplation.The descent to Schmallenberg leads past the field cross again and opens up wide views of the valley. The route crosses the Lenne river, past the Heute Mühle farm and onto the old town wall. There you will find the chapel on the Werth, a final spiritual stopover before returning to the town center. We reach the parish church of St. Alexander along the listed façades of the old town.If you wish, you can end the tour with a coffee or snack in the old town. Back at the timber and tourism center, the tour is complete. If you still haven't had enough, you can join Route 2 of the village church cycle route here. This tour is an enriching experience in every respect for e-bikers interested in spirituality and the landscape.