Ecumenical pilgrimage trail

Short Description

The route follows the course of the Via Regia and extends from Görlitz to Vacha.

Description

On a varied 450 km route, the Ecumenical Pilgrimage Route leads through central Germany. Starting the journey in Görlitz, the entire route on foot takes about three weeks. Todays route follows the course of the historic trade route Via Regia – the Royal Road.

For about 60 km, the route passes through Saale-Unstrut. Coming from Leipzig, you reach Merseburg. Here, on the Saale, stands the citys oldest church, the Neumarktkirche St. Thomae, which now serves as a hostel for pilgrims. Furthermore, from the Saale, you can admire the cathedral and castle ensemble of Merseburg.
Through meadows and fields, past the Großkaynaer See, you continue to Freyburg on the Unstrut. Before that, you pass through the Alte Göhle, an old forested area. In the idyllic wine town of Freyburg, you can find a cozy hostel if needed. From here, you follow the Unstrut to Großjena.
You pass by the Stone Picture Book and finally reach the Blütengrund, where you cross with a ferry to reach Naumburg. Here, too, you can stay overnight comfortably. From here, you continue along the Saale and cross the nature reserve Göttersitz, through the Finne to Eckartsberga. From the tower of the Eckartsburg, you can enjoy a magnificent view all the way to the Thuringian Basin. Then, you continue towards Erfurt.

Further Information

https://www.wanderkompass.de/Deutschland/OEkumenischer-Pilgerweg.html