Jakobsweg Etappe 1aA: Herrsching - Wessobrunn (nördlich des Ammersees)

From Herrschingen train station, we either turn right straight away and use the cycle path to Breitbrunn - or you can stroll along the lake on the left and follow the lakeside path northwards at the small boat landing stage, which leads into the small castle park and further along the lake. After a short time, you have to deviate a few meters for the first time, in the direction of the small church, to cross the stream on a wooden bridge. After this, you can easily return to the lakeside path.

After around 10 minutes, the shell sign points to the Rauscher footpath, which climbs up a hill and leads back down to the lake via Rausch, Ellwang and Breitbrunn. The path continues as if on a promenade via Buch to Stegen and thus to the northern shore of the lake. From here, several cycle and hiking trails share the western shore. It is best to choose the "footpath to Schondorf" closest to the lake and descend the wooden steps immediately after the bridge over the Amper and follow the cycle path in the direction of Eching. After approx. 300 m, leave the cycle path to the left towards the lakeshore and you will easily reach your destination for the day, Schondorf, through the countryside.

In Schondorf, a visit to the Romanesque St. Jakob's Church is a "must" for every pilgrim. It stands directly on the lake opposite the steamer landing stage and is said to have been built in 1149. The next day, or even the same day, you can complete the circuit around the Ammersee and follow the lakeside path to Dießen. Worth seeing in Dießen is the baroque collegiate church of St. Maria.

Just behind the church, the blue "K" points westwards to a charming path along the stream, which soon leads through lush meadows to the forest. You can drink from the spring water at the Mechthildsbrunnen fountain. Leave the forest to the southwest. The route continues to the village of Haid, which lies on a terrace above Wessobrunn. Take a leisurely stroll through the old stucco village to the monastery, which was one of the most important monasteries in Germany until secularization.

Hiking map of Pfaffenwinkel, scale 1:40,000, HW-Verlag, nominal fee EUR 1, available from the Pfaffenwinkel tourist office, www.pfaffen-winkel.de