Cycling path in Schmallenberg Sauerland links villages' churches to significant celebrations
Explore the beauty and history of the Village Churches Cycling Route, a unique and captivating bike journey through the picturesque villages of Schmallenberg and Sauerland. This route, far from being a traditional pilgrimage path or tourist guidance system, invites cyclists to pause, listen, and reflect.
Starting in the heart of Schmallenberg, the route leads you through the villages of Fleckenberg, Berghausen, and Wormbach, among others. The journey offers a chance to connect with the essential, providing countless impressions and encounters that are both unspectacular and inviting.
One of the highlights of the route is St. Cyriakus in Berghausen, which houses frescoes painted 800 years ago. Another must-see is the church of St. Michael in Holthausen, constructed from rough graywacke and resembling a small fortress. Built by the community's own hands in 1927, St. Michael's tells a story of courage, community, and perseverance.
The route comprises two circular routes, totalling 18 churches and chapels. Cyclists can choose between Variant 1 and Variant 2, each offering a different distance and elevation gain. Variant 2, spanning 36.4 km with a 497 m elevation gain, is considered medium in difficulty. It includes stops at St. Peter and Paul in Wormbach and St. Michael in Holthausen, among other sites. Variant 1, covering 40.2 km with a 624 m elevation gain, is more challenging. It takes you to St. Antonius in Fleckenberg, St. Vincentius in Lenne, and the Wallfahrtskapelle Unsere liebe Frau vom Wilzenberg.
Throughout the route, information boards with QR codes, spiritual impulses, and an audio guide are available at the churches. The Chapel of Mary on the Wilzenberg, located on an old pagan cult site and a current place of pilgrimage, is another key attraction.
The Village Churches Bike Route is not just a path to travel, but an invitation to engage with the history, art, and community of the churches and villages along the way. It encourages individual experiences between the stations, focusing on people and their stories rather than just churches. The route leads to places of quietness and churches that invite rather than impress, offering many small stories rather than big ones, inviting visitors to capture impressions and create lasting memories.
For more detailed and precise information on the Village Churches Cycling Route in Schmallenberg, Sauerland, including key attractions, it is best to consult local tourism websites or visitor centers directly related to Schmallenberg or Sauerland. Further information, route description, and GPX tracks can be found at www.dorfkirchenradroute.de. Embark on this enriching journey today and discover the hidden gems of Schmallenberg, Sauerland.
Engaging with the historical art and quaint communities, the Village Churches Cycling Route offers a unique opportunity to appreciate home-and-garden lifestyle as you travel through the picturesque villages of Schmallenberg, visiting churches like St. Cyriakus in Berghausen and St. Michael in Holthausen. This bike journey invites you to pause, reflect, and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of these beautiful villages, creating lasting memories beyond just travel experiences.
Furthermore, after completing the route, you can enjoy a change of scenery by exploring various home-and-garden and home-improvement destinations in Sauerland, such as local markets or landscaped gardens, adding a home-and-garden twist to your travel lifestyle.
