Chapel Path Reiste - North Route

Chapels and wayside crosses are common companions in the community of Reiste. They bear witness to a deep religiosity that people here have practiced for centuries. Faith and prayer have always been part of everyday life. The bells of the houses of worship marked the day, religious festivals marked the year. Often, shrines or wayside crosses were erected out of gratitude or as a reminder of special events and have been cherished and maintained by local families to this day. Naturally, each village has its own chapel, each dedicated to a different patron saint.
The 22.6 km (25.7 km) long Chapel Trail invites you to discover this tradition and the many beautiful chapels in the chapel villages around Reiste. Hike on secluded forest paths and discover the stories of the small houses of worship. Along the way, impressive views will interrupt your hike, as well as the many treasures along the wayside, framed by nature. The Chapel Trail offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the village structure of a well-established Sauerland community. You get a sense of what it was like to live "in the village", in reliable structures, but also with some challenges. It was an everyday occurrence to conquer the school path "over the hill", even in deep snow in winter, or to walk to the nearest larger village, Reiste, for Sunday church service in wind and weather. People maintained contact between the larger and smaller villages. Footpaths were not shunned on various occasions, during celebrations and festivals. Whether at a shooting festival, harvest festival, or the traditional Reiste market: People went to Reiste, celebrated together, and enjoyed cozy hours. These encounters still exist today. However, on such occasions, many residents now prefer to walk back to their home village. Partly because of the beautiful nature, and perhaps also because a drink or two is easier to digest while walking...
To this day, Reiste and its chapel villages have preserved their lively association life. Hike the Chapel Trail and encounter a genuine piece of Sauerland with its traditions. Let yourself be inspired by nature between the chapels and find peace. Enter one of the chapels along the way and pause for quiet contemplation. Or sit on a bench along the way, enjoy the nature, or admire one of the small artworks along the wayside.