Church Cycle Path

Open Churches:
Church towers are landmarks, especially in such a vast landscape as the Wesermarsch. They bear witness not only to the architecture of past generations, but also to the Christian faith. It is amazing in how many different ways this faith has found its expression in our churches: from Romanesque to the architecture of the 1960s.

You are invited to embark on a journey of discovery in this region, the recreational landscape between the Weser and the heath, with its cultural and historical peculiarities. Bid farewell to everyday life, enjoy this fascinating expanse of earth and sky. Let yourself be invited by the church towers, visible from afar, not only for sightseeing, but also for moments of silence, devotion, or prayer.

Directions (Circular route):
Start your bike tour in Achim. You can also start this circular route in any other place along the route. Parking spaces can be found in all villages along the bike path. In the center of the "Bauernviertel," the origin of the present-day city of Achim, stands St. Laurentius Church on a geest ridge above the Weser, built in the 12th century, with rich interior furnishings. Take a detour through the city center to the Catholic Church on Meislahnstraße. Then return to the starting point and pass by the "Clüverhaus" (two-post house). It's worth a visit. Passing the Achim Windmill, you will reach the Weser Bridge, cross the river, and the Wesermarsch will lie before you. Through the marsh meadows, you will reach the Eyterschöpfwerk near Eißel.

Next, you will travel through perhaps the most beautiful section of the Wesermarsch: Ancient hawthorn hedges shape the landscape and provide a habitat for many animals. A detour south will take you to "Gut Oenigstedt" with its beautiful half-timbered houses. Afterwards, you will reach Riede. At the heart of the village stands the 700-year-old church with its unique ceiling paintings of biblical motifs from the late Middle Ages. Through Donnerstedt, also known as the location of orchards, you will pass along the "Adeligen Holz," a small remnant of a once extensive forest area. Thedinghausen is your destination now.

The origin of the church has a special story: The Archbishop of Bremen Johann Friedrich had the current manor house (on the way to Lunsen) built in 1620 for his mistress. However, the pastor of Lunsen - the only one in this area! - preached against moral decline. To avoid his and his mistress's sermons, the bishop had a pastor who suited him appointed in Thedinghausen. This was the crucial step in the establishment of an independent church community. The present church building was erected in 1870 in the style of the time. You should also visit the manor house "Poggenburg," currently the seat of the municipal administration.

Another peculiarity of Thedinghausen: From 1679 to 1972, the "Amt Thedinghausen" belonged to Braunschweig. Now your path will lead you past the aforementioned manor house to Lunsen, whose church tower is the most impressive in the entire Wesermarsch. Lunsen was the church parish for the surrounding communities for a long time, hence this mighty church. Through Beppen, located on the edge of a marsh area, you will arrive at Gahlstorf, the site of the "Gahlstorfer Ring," a gold ring imported from Ireland in the past. In Blender, you will see the church built by church architect Hellner in 1827 attached to the older tower, shining in fresh glory. Pay attention to the tombstone between the tower hall and the nave: it commemorates the first Protestant pastor Bertram Karbuch, who was killed by the sexton's son. The church housed a Furtwängler organ from 1852.

Take a short detour to the Blender Windmill, located on the Verden - Thedinghausen road and worth seeing. Following along the Blender Lake, between the "Kuhlen" (both remnants of an old Weser branch), you will reach the southernmost point of this circular route: Oiste with the smallest church far and wide. Hard to believe: Until the late 1960s, it was the seat of the district superintendent. Through Amedorf and Reer, you will reach Intschede. The present church, built in 1819 in the neoclassical style, is located idyllically next to a remarkable half-timbered granary.

Crossing the Weser dam with its hydroelectric power plant and the lock canal bridge, you will arrive at Daverden, whose church you can see from afar, situated on a geest ridge. From there, you have a wide view over the Wesermarsch. The interior of this church, begun in the 12th century, with its rare cross-shaped floor plan, is worth seeing. Some parts of the organ date back to the famous master Arp Schnitger.

Riding through the wooded geest ridge, you will pass through Cluvenhagen to Etelsen. Here is the most recently built church along the church bike path, the Church of the Good Shepherd consecrated in 1962. The "Good Shepherd" stands as a statue on the church tower. Then you will descend a bit, passing by the Jan Wind Windmill to Etelsen Castle with its beautiful park. It's worth a longer stop here. Hidden in the park is a neo-Gothic mausoleum, now serving as an art space.

Next, the path follows the course of the Weser. You now reach Baden, the only district of Achim with its own church. This simple building was constructed in the 1950s from a cemetery chapel, after Baden had grown so much that it became an independent church community. Parallel to the Weser, passing by the "Hünenburg," a ring wall from the 12th century, you will return to Achim, the starting point of this circular route.

You can also find the church bike path on Komoot.

Safety information:
Throughout the tour, please note that cycling on the bike paths is at your own risk. No guarantee is given for the usability of the bike paths. In cities, pay attention to increased awareness. Please use existing bike paths. Be prepared for hazards on the tour, such as bollards, barriers, and unsecured crossings of federal roads - especially important for families cycling with young children.