A stay in Wölpinghausen can combine hiking with cultural history. The Wölpinghausen hiking route leads to Bad Rehburg, Bergkirchen and Wiedenbrügge; a detour from the route leads from the Millennium Cross to St. Catherine’s Church in Bergkirchen.

St. Catherine’s Church in Bergkirchen

The Romanesque nave was built in the 12th century. St. Catherine’s Church stands on the Rehburger Berge ridge and offers distant views towards Lake Steinhude and the Weser Uplands. It is one of the medieval churches and among the oldest churches of the Schaumburg-Lippe Regional Church. Some of its furnishings also have historical significance: the baptismal font was donated in 1622.

Concerts are held regularly in the church; the program may change. Bergkirchen is also a pilgrimage station on a secondary route of the Loccum–Volkenroda pilgrimage route. Pilgrims who register in advance are invited to use St. Catherine’s Church for quiet reflection. Concerts and the pilgrimage station thus offer different reasons to include the church in your plans.

The Wölpinghausen Hiking Route and Its Starting Points

The Wölpinghausen hiking route connects Wölpinghausen with Bad Rehburg, Bergkirchen and Wiedenbrügge. Along the way, it passes through forests, open fields, meadows and historic settlement areas. There are also sweeping views across the Schaumburg region and Lake Steinhude. The route is shaped by the changing landscapes and settlement history; the detour from the Millennium Cross to St. Catherine’s Church adds a specific cultural and historical destination to the hike.

Three starting points with information boards are recommended: the Millennium Cross in Bergkirchen, the access path to the Wilhelm Tower and the Green Centre in Wölpinghausen. You can plan your route from any of these named starting points. Information boards are located at all three recommended starting points.

Wilhelm Tower and Fairy-Tale Trail

The Wilhelm Tower can only be reached on foot. The path to it is part of the Brothers Grimm Fairy-Tale Trail and features the story of Rapunzel. Walking routes to the tower lead from car parks in Bad Rehburg and from the car park at the Wölpinghausen exit on the L 370 towards Münchehagen. Check access regulations before setting out. When planning, keep in mind that you cannot drive to the tower: the final section must be walked.

More Trails and Regional Views

The Bergschleife crosses the Rehburger Sattel, a gentle rise at the edge of the North German Plain. The Stork Route offers a different focus: it is around 41 kilometres long, can be cycled in either direction and leads towards Wölpinghausen and Bergkirchen. Conditions along the route can vary. While the Rehburger Sattel describes the landscape, the approximate length of the Stork Route provides a specific reference point for planning your journey.

In the Wider Schaumburg Region

For a broader regional perspective, it is worth looking at Schaumburg district. It can be reached by car, train and even by boat via the Mittelland Canal. An important east–west railway line runs through the district, with stations in Stadthagen and Bückeburg as well as smaller stations in Lindhorst and Kirchhorsten. This information describes transport connections at district level; the Wölpinghausen hiking route and its named starting points, by contrast, provide practical orientation for local walks.

Discover more destinations: Wiedenbrügge, Rinteln, Lüdersfeld, Stadthagen, Bückeburg, Haste, Rodenberg, Apelern

For the overview of the wider region: Schaumburg.