St Boniface Route (Bonifatiusroute)

In short: St Boniface Route (Bonifatiusroute): from Mainz to Fulda. Length: around 180 km, duration: about 1 week. Best time: Spring to autumn.

Overview

Boniface, the Apostle of the Germans, was killed in Frisia in 754. His body was taken to Mainz and from there to Fulda, as he had wished. The St Boniface Route follows this funeral procession.

The route leads through the Rhine-Main area, the Taunus and the Vogelsberg to the cathedral in Fulda, where his tomb lies. It is well marked on hiking trails.

At about a week, the route fits well into a holiday. Several railway stations lie along the way, so you can also split it into day sections.

Main stops: Mainz, Hochheim, Taunus, Vogelsberg, Fulda.

Following the funeral procession of 754

You start at Mainz Cathedral and soon cross the River Main. After that you head through the Taunus and Vogelsberg towards Fulda. The Vogelsberg is the quietest part of the route, with wide forests and few villages.

At the end you reach the tomb of Boniface in the crypt of Fulda Cathedral. Germany's bishops still meet there regularly for their autumn assembly.

Planning in the Vogelsberg

In the Vogelsberg the distances between places to stay are at their greatest. Plan your stages around the beds rather than the kilometres. It is best to buy food in the larger towns.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 180 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

This route suits a first pilgrimage well. You need no mountain experience, normal basic fitness and broken-in shoes are enough.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 60 to 80 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 10 days that comes to roughly 600 to 800 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in Germany, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.