Ecumenical Pilgrim Way (Ökumenischer Pilgerweg)

In short: Ecumenical Pilgrim Way (Ökumenischer Pilgerweg): from Görlitz to Vacha. Length: around 470 km, duration: about 3 weeks. Best time: May to September.

Overview

The Ecumenical Pilgrim Way follows the Via Regia, one of the most important medieval trade roads in Europe. It was set up in 2003 and leads from Görlitz through Upper Lusatia, Saxony and Thuringia to the Hessian border at Vacha.

The route is looked after jointly by Protestant and Catholic groups. Along the way there are simple pilgrim hostels, often in parish houses, which offer a place to sleep for a donation. That brings the route closer to the Spanish model than most German routes.

Its stops include Bautzen, Erfurt and Eisenach. A pilgrim passport opens doors here as well.

Main stops: Görlitz, Bautzen, Großenhain, Leipzig, Naumburg, Erfurt, Eisenach, Vacha.

On the old Via Regia through central Germany

The route follows the medieval Via Regia trade road from Görlitz on the Polish border through Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia to Vacha on the Hessian border. Volunteers opened it up again in the early 2000s, and it is meant for people of all denominations.

Pilgrim hostels and the pilgrim passport

Many parishes take in pilgrims for a donation, often in plain rooms with a sleeping mat. To stay overnight you need a pilgrim passport. A pilgrim guide with up-to-date phone numbers matters more here than on the Spanish routes, because you announce your arrival in advance.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 470 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 28 days that comes to roughly 1,700 to 2,250 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.