Jakobsweg on foot

Stone waymark with a scallop shell and a yellow arrow above the Camino Francés in the Pyrenees

Photo: Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Distance
about 770 km (480 miles)
Countries
Germany, Spain, France, Austria
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Type of trip
Hiking trail

Jakobsweg means any of the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela, and there are dozens across Europe, about 30 main ones in Germany alone. Most people mean the Camino Francés: about 770 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port over the Pyrenees to Santiago, usually in 33 stages and five weeks. Yellow arrows and scallop shells show the way.

The German routes are much shorter. The Münchner Jakobsweg goes from Munich past Andechs monastery and the Wieskirche to Lindau or Bregenz on Lake Constance, about 290 km in 11 stages. The Pfälzer Jakobswege are two routes from Speyer Cathedral to the old abbey at Hornbach, one through the Pfälzerwald and one along the Weinstraße, each about 140 to 150 km.

For the Compostela, walk at least the last 100 km into Santiago on one route, or cycle the last 200 km, and get your pilgrim passport stamped along the way. Most walkers start at Sarria on the Camino Francés. You can split it over several trips, as long as you pick up where you stopped. The certificate is for pilgrims who come for religious or spiritual reasons, and a German route on its own doesn't earn one. In Germany you can get the passport from the Jakobus societies or from many Catholic parishes.

Highlights along the way

  1. Over the Pyrenees: The Camino Francés starts at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and crosses the Pyrenees on the way to Santiago.
  2. Santiago and the Compostela: The last 100 km on foot, or 200 km by bike, with a stamped pilgrim passport, is what the Pilgrim Office asks of pilgrims who come for religious or spiritual reasons. Most walkers start at Sarria.
  3. Andechs and the Wieskirche: The Münchner Jakobsweg passes Andechs monastery and the Wieskirche between Munich and Lake Constance.
  4. Lindau on Lake Constance: The Münchner Jakobsweg ends at Lindau or Bregenz after about 290 km and 11 stages.
  5. Speyer Cathedral to Hornbach: Both Pfälzer Jakobswege run from Speyer Cathedral to the old abbey at Hornbach. Pick the Pfälzerwald or the Weinstraße.

Distance

About 770 km (480 miles) for the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago, usually walked in 33 stages over five weeks. The Münchner Jakobsweg is about 290 km (180 miles) in 11 stages, and each of the two Pfälzer Jakobswege is about 140 to 150 km (87 to 93 miles).

Best time to go

The Pilgrim's Office in Santiago counted about half a million pilgrims in 2024, and most of them arrived between May and September. German pilgrims most often finished in May. Outside those months the Camino Francés is quieter, but the days are shorter and the weather is less settled. In winter some pilgrim hostels close, so check what's open on your stages before you set off. If you're starting in Germany, the Deutsche St. Jakobus-Gesellschaft issues the pilgrim passport you need for the hostels and the Compostela.

More journeys in Germany, Spain, France, Austria

Flyby films from Germany, Spain, France, Austria

More routes like this

Hiking trails and treks

Camino de Santiago routes

Hiking and cycling routes in Germany

Hiking and cycling routes in France

Hiking and cycling routes in Spain

Hiking and cycling routes in Austria