On pilgrimage from Lendersdorf in Germany to Saint-Hubert in Belgium: 320 kilometres

At the foot of the church is a memorial stone for the annual pilgrimage of the St. Hubert Brotherhood from Lendersdorf (district of Düren) to Saint-Hubert in the Ardennes>. This arduous hike takes 8 days and covers about 320 kilometers. The Brotherhood of St. Hubertus in Lendersdorf was founded in 1717. Three years later, on 10 May, about 30 pilgrims from Lendersdorf and the surrounding area came to Saint-Hubert for the first time. This tradition continues to this day.

The first stage starts for the pilgrims on Ascension Day, which takes them from Lendersdorf/Düren to Kalterherberg, where they spend the night with host families. From there they go on Friday morning via the military training area Elsenborn to Bütgenbach, where they have breakfast together after the service. The second stage of the day takes the pilgrims via Spades, Amel and St.Vith to Maldingen, where they stay with host families. From Maldingen they walk to Bastogne, where they are expected on Saturday evening. On Sunday they finally reach the pilgrimage site of Saint-Hubert. In Bastogne and Saint-Hubert they spend the night in hotels.

On Monday morning, the pilgrims will return via Bastogne, Maldingen and Bütgenbach to Lendersdorf, where they are expected to return on Thursday. The luggage is transported to the destinations by accompanying vehicles.

Jan Rymenams