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The Hildegard of Bingen Trail in Germany

Hildegard Pilgrimage Path

“I love this sign, don’t you? I’ve traveled to a lot of holy places, but Bingen, Germany, is the only place where the pilgrimage route is marked by a nun sign. Hildegard is their most famous resident, and they want to make it easy for pilgrims to follow in her footsteps.

And more people are doing just that, for Hildegard of Bingen is enjoying a surprising career resurgence for someone who’s been dead for nine centuries (for more information on her biography, see The Life of Hildegard of Bingen). Her fan club is certainly diverse: feminists hail her as a foremother, environmentalists praise her views on nature, New Age enthusiasts recognize her as a kindred spirit, and musicians record her chants (the CD A Feather on the Breath of God was a surprise best-seller in 1988). And in 2012 Hildegard was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI, an honor given to only four women saints.”

The Hildegard von Bingen pilgrimage route leads on about 135 kilometers from Idar-Oberstein to Bingen am Rhein and Rüdesheim-Eibingen through the land of Hildegard.

Hildegardweg / Hildegard Pilgrim Path

Itinerary program for a 8-day pilgrimage path (see map)  ~ 8-Strecken-Programm oder 8-Tage-Pilgerwanderweg (von Sonntag bis Sonntag)

  • Erste Strecke             18,7km / 4:7 Std.                                  

Idar-Oberstein – Herrstein – Niederhosenbach – Bundenbach – Hahnenbach

  • Zweite Strecke 6,8km / 1.31 Std.                                 

Hahnenbach – Oberhausen – Kallenfels – Bergen – Kirn – Schloss Dhaun

  • Dritte Strecke 17,7km / 3:39 Std.                               

Schloss Dhaun – Simmertal – Bad Sobernheim – Staudernheim Disibodenberg – Odenheim/Glan

  • Vierte Strecke   12,2 km / 2:38 Std.                              

Disibodenberg – Duchroth – Oberhausen/Nahe – Burg Schlossböckelheim – Waldböckelheim – Burgsponheim – Sponheim

  • Fünfte Strecke 9,1 km / 2:06 Std.                                 

Sponheim – Spabrücken

  • Sechste Strecke             8,4 km / 1:48 Std.                                 

Spabrücken – „Drei-Madonnen-Weg“ –  Schöneberg – Madonnenweg – Stromberg

  • Siebte Strecke 9,8 km / 2 Std.                                       

Stromberg – Bingerbrück

  • Achte Strecke – ca. 5,4 km / 1:02Std.                           

Bingerbrück – Bingen – Eibingen

Good Reading

I stumbled across this blog about Spiritual Travel and pilgrimage…

Read more from Lori Erickson

Travel writer, Episcopal deacon, and author of the Holy Rover blog at Patheos, Erickson is an engaging guide for pilgrims eager to take a spiritual journey. Her book describes travels that changed her life and can change yours, too.

5 thoughts on “The Hildegard of Bingen Trail in Germany”

  1. I would like to travel the Saint Hildegard von Bingen Pilgrimage.

    My Mother was born and raised In Idar-Oberstein. She died nearly three years ago in America from complications from Breast Cancer.

  2. Thanks for your site and the information. Several friends and I are interested in walk the Hildegard pilgrimage way, but we haven’t found much information about the nuts and bolts of making the walk–accommodations, guides, etc. Where might we look for more information? Thanks!

    1. Most of the trail info can be found on German tourist sites. There isn’t a lot of information in English yet. This is something that we are trying to work to make better for foreign tourism. For instance, most of the towns along the way don’t have any accomendations, so you need to string together places that do have that. And then use some car support to carry your luggage for you. There aren’t any camping or youth hostels like the Camino. Our German friend just wrote the following book which gives more details in terms of what taking a Hildegard pilgrimage is like, and how you can think about it: https://amzn.to/3cJc4Vm

  3. Hello. I have the book, in English, by Annette Esser outlining the pilgrimage. I’ve also been looking through the website https://regio.outdooractive.com/oar-hildegardweg-naheland/de/

    It shows the phases of the trail, and there is a section which shows accommodations. I have intended to come this September and do the whole trail in 10-11 days, carrying my clothing and staying in the local towns. Is this possible?
    Thank you in advance for any information.

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