A pilgrimage week on the Rhineland Way of St. James
Hiking Collection by komoot
7
days
4-8 h
/ day
97.8 mi
4,375 ft
4,475 ft
You walk on ancient paths where thousands of people have walked before you. You don't need to be religious to feel the special atmosphere of the pilgrimage places. On the St. James' Way from Wuppertal to Aachen, you will encounter countless of these special places: Monasteries and churches, but also the peaceful landscape have a unique charisma. With every step on your way, your everyday life steps back more and more, little things lose their meaning, what is really important comes out. When you then step through the city gates of Aachen and look back on your way, you will find that you have also come closer to yourself.
The Rhineland Way of St. James takes you on a 160-kilometre route from Wuppertal Beyenburg through the picturesque Bergische Land to the Rhine metropolis of Cologne and further on to the imperial city of Aachen. On the pilgrimage trail you can expect to climb a mere 1,300 meters of altitude, which are spread over the sections of the Bergisches Land and Voreifel.
Along the Rhineland Way of St. James you will find a variety of landscapes, historic town centres and impressive church buildings. It goes over wide meadows, through dense forests and along streams and rivers. Even the section through Cologne leads over long distances through green parks and city forests. Although several stages of the tour lead through peaceful nature away from villages and towns, you will find cosy rest stops on all tours. So you don't have to worry about provisions. All you need are your hiking boots and pilgrim's staff and you can start your personal pilgrimage.
The Rhineland Way of St. James is the continuation of the Westphalian Way of St James, on which pilgrims hike from Münster through the Ruhr area to Wuppertal in nine days. If you would like to combine both sections, you can have a closer look at the Westphalian Way of St. James here: komoot.com/collection/526/9-days-on-the-westphalian-way-of-st-james
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Last updated: November 22, 2021
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Tours & Highlights
- Expert05:3112.5 mi2.3 mph1,150 ft825 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The first stage on the Rhenish Way leads you on quiet ways from Wuppertal to Wermelskirchen. You will hike across the rolling hills of the Bergisches Land, pass through small mountain villages and take a rest in the medieval town center of Lennep.
Starting point of the tour is the monastery church of…
by komoot
- Expert05:2713.0 mi2.4 mph250 ft950 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The second stage belongs with the dreamlike Eifgental and the Altenberg Cathedral to the most beautiful tours on the Rhenish Jakosbweg. Away from towns and villages you follow the Way of St. James through the nature of the Bergisches Land. Here you can be completely with yourself and find your own pilgrim…
by komoot
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- Intermediate04:3611.1 mi2.4 mph300 ft375 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the third day, the Rheinische Jakobsweg will take you to Cologne. The metropolis on the Rhine has always been an important place of pilgrimage, and so the road to Santiago de Compostela leads past the world-famous cathedral.
You start your stage in Odenthal and hike to the neighboring town of Schildgen…
by komoot
- Expert08:3020.5 mi2.4 mph575 ft500 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The fourth stage is also the longest hike on the Rhenish Way of St. James. It leads you across the streets and over the green, former fortress ring of the Rhine metropolis out to the small town of the Rhein-Erft-Kreis. Here expansive fields and pastures await you and soon you have forgotten the hustle…
by komoot
- Expert05:1512.7 mi2.4 mph300 ft150 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
After the city of Cologne on the previous stages, you can adjust yourself again today to more peace and quiet. The flat Cologne Bay is a low-terrace level and significantly responsible for the mild climate in Cologne. The few vertical meters of today's tour are a welcome change after the long fourth…
by komoot
- Intermediate04:5311.4 mi2.3 mph675 ft500 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
On the sixth stage you leave the bay of Cologne and wander on secluded paths through the hilly Eifel foreland. Almost the entire route runs through dense forests and away from villages and towns. Here you will find again a great place to rest.
You start in the city center of Düren and after you have left…
by komoot
- Expert07:1416.7 mi2.3 mph1,125 ft1,200 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The long last stage will once again provide you with varied nature and magnificent historic buildings. The tour takes you from the edge of the Eifel foreland first through forests and through small towns slowly to the imperial city of Aachen. Here awaits you at the venerable cathedral, the grand finale…
by komoot
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Collection Stats
- Tours7
- Distance97.8 mi
- Duration41:26 h
- Elevation4,375 ft4,475 ft
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