Village Church Cycle Route - Variant 2

The tour starts at the timber and tourism center in Schmallenberg and leads uphill for the first few kilometers, along a section of the family adventure trail. A separate cycle path runs alongside Werper Straße and leads to the Rennefeld airfield. There, the path turns off between two fields, circles the airfield on quiet paths and leads through light forest passages down to Wormbach.Our first spiritual stop is the Romanesque church of St. Peter and Paul in Wormbach, one of the oldest churches in the region. The adjoining cemetery, with its uniform grave crosses, old trees and circular layout, is a place of special power and tranquillity, which is why it is also one of the Sauerland soul places. In front of the church we find a Lauschpohl - these audio stations tell stories from the region. You generate your own electricity using a hand crank.We continue along well-paved paths to Ebbinghof. The simple, charming St. Laurentius Chapel awaits us here, which can be seen from a small anteroom through a gate. Children will love the small playground here.Ride a short distance back to the last crossroads before the path leads into the forest towards Berghausen. Shortly before the village, the landscape opens up with a wide view over the Schmallenberger Sauerland. The church of St. Cyriakus, with its golden church clock and framed by tall trees, is another special place that invites you to contemplate. The paintings in the church are particularly worth seeing.An old Way of the Cross leads from here up to the Kohlhagen. The chapel in the middle of the forest is approached by several historic Stations of the Cross from the surrounding villages. You can take a look inside through the door, while a rustic shelter next to it invites you to take a break. Another Lauschpohl tells the story of reforestation and the importance of the spruce forest for the region.From Kohlhagen, the route leads downhill through shady forest paths to Mailar. Here we come to the SauerlandRadring - a former railroad line with only a gentle incline, which makes for a relaxed ride. Shortly before Bad Fredeburg, we cross the cycle ring via an underpass and reach the old town with its small alleyways, cafés and half-timbered charm.A visit to the Catholic church of St. Georg is particularly worthwhile: the altarpiece by Nikolaus Bette with the motif of the heavenly Jerusalem is a real treasure. Just a few minutes away is the Chapel of the Holy Cross - simple on the outside, with a sky-blue ceiling and colorful accents on the inside. We leave Bad Fredeburg again after passing the Kurhaus - but not before stopping for a bite to eat or to stock up at the supermarket.Next stop: Holthausen with the church of St. Michael. The round tower shape and the quarry stone façade are unusual. Inside, the church is simple and calm - a place to arrive and let go. Holthausen itself is a golden village with a lovingly maintained townscape.As we leave the village, we pass the Birkenhof with its café and roastery - perfect for a short coffee break. We reach Gleidorf via a slightly ascending high plateau with magnificent views. The route ends at the modern church of lights and encouragement. You can choose between music, light installations and spoken impulses via a digital terminal. Classical hymns, modern texts and a meditative atmosphere create space for individual moments of contemplation.After this impressive finale, the SauerlandRadring takes us back to Schmallenberg, where a final stop for refreshments or a stroll through the old town rounds off the day trip.