Discover Rehren: Chapel, Pilgrim Route and Cycling Tour

Rehren combines local history with a range of ways to explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike. The different route lengths and destinations are a good starting point for planning: a circular route starting and ending at the sports ground, pilgrimage stages linked to the chapel, and a cycling tour around Rehren. The historical connections also span several periods—from the first documentary mention to the construction of the Catholic Church of St. Catherine.

Hiking and Pilgrimage Around Rehren

The 4.2-kilometre circular route “Path of Self-Care” (AU 1) starts and ends at the Rehren sports ground hiking car park. Its starting and finishing point is therefore clearly marked. The 4.5-kilometre “Eulenburger Acht” (AU 4) also runs through the Auetal. Both routes have their own names and distances; the Eulenburger Acht is specifically located in the Auetal.

For a longer route, take the Loccum–Volkenroda Pilgrim Route. Its approximately 16-kilometre stage runs from Stadthagen to Rehren in the Auetal and passes the Rehren Chapel. The next stage starts again at the hiking car park in Rehren and heads towards Fischbeck Abbey for approximately 17 kilometres. These two distances describe consecutive stages: the first leads to Rehren, and the next starts from there.

Rehren Chapel and St. Catherine

Rehren Chapel was probably built as a pilgrimage chapel in the late Gothic period, in the mid-15th century. One of its distinctive features is the east-facing window, whose stained glass depicts the New Testament story of Pentecost. Inside are three statues of saints: a statue of the Virgin Mary, Saint Catherine and an unknown female saint.

On 25 June 2023, the chapel received the “Open Church” and “Pilgrim Church” designations. It invites visitors to pause for a moment; knitted socks bearing a blessing are available in the chapel to take away, made by volunteers. This connects the pilgrimage aspect both with the building’s history and with a tangible gesture of hospitality.

The Catholic Church of St. Catherine in Rehren represents a different period; it was built in 1960/61. Its construction was linked to the settlement in the Auetal of predominantly Catholic expellees from the former German eastern territories. The local history thus encompasses both the older pilgrimage chapel and a more recent development in the church, connected with the life journeys of the expellees.

Local History and Friedrich Oetker

Rehren was first mentioned in a document in 1182. Another figure connected with the local history is Dr Friedrich Oetker: the publicist, writer and constitutional campaigner was born in Rehren. A commemorative plaque was placed on his birthplace to mark the 100th anniversary of his death. Together, these references trace the town’s history from its first written mention to a person whose birthplace was Rehren.

Cycling Between the Wesergebirge and Bückeberg Hills

The “Auetaler Höhepunkte” cycling tour runs for around 21 kilometres around Rehren, between the Wesergebirge and Bückeberg hills. On the return to Hattendorf, it passes the Rehren Chapel. The tour therefore combines a longer cycling route with a waypoint that is also part of the pilgrim route. Its distance is different from that of the 4.2-kilometre circular route or the approximately 16- and 17-kilometre pilgrimage stages.

To reach the cycling tour, take the A2 motorway and exit at Rehren. Road conditions, signposting and route conditions can change, so check them again before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Wölpinghausen, Hagenburg, Auhagen, Hohnhorst, Stadthagen, Lüdersfeld, Apelern, Bückeburg.

Return to the regional travel overview: Schaumburg.