The Rehburg hills are a gentle ridge of wooded sandstone that rises above the flat country west of Hanover, and the roads through them are among the quietest and most enjoyable in the region. They are not high, only a few hundred feet above the plain, but they feel like a different country, with beech and oak forest, steep little valleys, and the smell of leaf mould and pine. The roads wind through the trees in gentle, flowing bends, and the light, filtered through the canopy, flickers across the surface.
The area has a long history of healing and prayer. Bad Rehburg, a small spa town on the edge of the hills, was a fashionable resort in the nineteenth century, famous for its mineral springs and its peaceful parks. A few kilometres away stands Loccum Abbey, a Cistercian monastery founded in the twelfth century, with a fine Romanesque and Gothic church of brick and stone. It has been a Lutheran institution since the Reformation, and it remains a working religious community, with a seminary and an academy. Its cloisters and church can be visited, and the atmosphere is quiet and calm.
Riding here requires respect for the conditions. The roads are narrow, with sudden bends, and leaves, mud, and gravel can appear on the surface, particularly after rain or forestry work. Deer and wild boar cross at dusk and dawn, so keep your speed sensible after the light fades. Traffic is light, mostly local, with a few weekend visitors and cyclists. The best season is autumn, when the beech leaves turn gold and the forest is full of colour, though spring has a freshness of its own.
Rehburg-Loccum, about half a kilometre away, has fuel, a supermarket, bakeries, and cafes, so it is the natural place for supplies. Wölpinghausen, a smaller village about six kilometres away, has limited services. Take a break at a cafe in Rehburg, perhaps with a slice of cake and a coffee, and enjoy the quiet. The Steinhuder Meer is only a short ride to the east, and makes a pleasant addition to the day. In winter, frost lingers on the shaded roads, and snow is possible.