Hiking not only brings health benefits, but also the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature directly. Hiking and pilgrimage trails in particular offer an escape from everyday life and make it possible to let the mind come to rest. Even in the depths of the Middle Ages, Rheinhessen was a stopover for adventurous pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Today there are several Camino de Santiago routes that run through an enchanting nature with rolling hills and vineyards. The region is known for its excellent white wines, especially the Rheinhessen Riesling. The Rhine-Hessian Ways of St. James extend over about 200 kilometers and offer varied routes through this beautiful area. On the hiking tours, you can walk along idyllically situated rivers such as the Rhine or Selz and pass picturesque villages.

Below we present a selection of the most beautiful Ways of St. James in Rheinhessen:

From Worms to Metz: The heavenly monastery route

The Worms-Metz monastery route is a historic trade route of the Celts and Romans, lined with monasteries and churches. It takes visitors on an exciting journey through ancient trade routes and religious sites. With its historical highlights and scenic beauty, it is a worthwhile adventure for hikers and history buffs. One can easily find the trail as it is marked with yellow arrows and the European shell. There are two variants: the northern span and the southern span.

Long route Nordspange (intermediate route):

The northern span consists of a total of four sections. The first section stretches over about 21 km from Worms to Harxheim im Zellertal. The starting point is the south portal of the cathedral. There are some highlights to discover on this route, including the Luther monument, the bird trail in Monsheim and the pilgrimage church of Saint Philip in Zell.

The second section leads about 21 km from Harxheim to Steinbach am Donnersberg. On the way, you will pass the oldest sacred building in the Palatinate in Bubenheim and the former Münsterdreisen monastery. Particularly interesting is also the youth hostel with the adjacent Celtic village, where you can gain insights into old Celtic settlements.

The third stage leads about 20 km from Steinbach to Otterberg. The highlights of this route include the mining village of Irmsbach, the Kaiserstraße in Alsenbrück as well as the Rochus Chapel in Schallodenbach and the former cistern church in Otterberg.

The longest section is the fourth part from Otterberg to Landstuhl with a length of 32 km. Above the town of Landstuhl towers the impressive Nanstein Castle as the absolute highlight of this route. Also worth a visit is the town church, built between 1862 and 1863. The larger route of the northern span finally ends in Landstuhl, where it meets the northern route of the Palatinate Way of St. James, which continues to France .

Short route Südspange (moderately difficult route):

The smaller route of about 79 km leads from Worms via Harxheim, Eiswoog, Kaiserslautern to Gelterswoog. We start at the south portal of the cathedral in Worms, one of the most important Romanesque churches in Germany , and walk towards the Pfrimm, a tributary of the Rhine. The path leads along the course of the stream to the Zell panorama trail and then on to the vineyards to Harxheim. On the way, it is possible to walk through the centre of Monsheim or walk past it.

Passing the former Ramosa Monastery, a cistern monastery from the 12th century, we reach the picturesque Eiswoog reservoir, where you can hike along a stream, the Alsenz spring. Finally, we turn off on the route in the direction of Kaiserslautern. One of the last highlights before reaching the destination is the Rochus Chapel from the 15th century. As soon as you reach the Gelterswoog reservoir, which was built in the 18th century, you meet the northern route from Speyer to Hornbach.

From Zell to Standenbühl: An adventurous pilgrimage

The Jakobs-Pilgerweg from Zell to Standenbühl is a varied route that offers numerous historical and cultural attractions. The section between Zell and Standenbühl stretches for about 22 kilometres and is part of the monastery route from Worms to Metz. It begins in the pilgrimage church of St. Philip in Zell, a Romanesque basilica from the 12th century.

From there it leads through Harxheim, where you can visit the oldest religious building in the Palatinate, the village church of St. Peter from 1060 in Bubenheim, to Steinbach am Donnersberg, where you can marvel at the Celtic village and the Celtic garden on the highest mountain in the Palatinate. Then continue to Otterberg, with a stop at the 13th-century Cistercian church, which is one of the largest Gothic churches in Rhineland-Palatinate. This eventful stage ends in Standenbühl.

From Steinbach to Wartenberg-Rohrbach: A path full of surprises

The Way of St. James from Steinbach am Donnersberg to Wartenberg-Rohrbach is also part of the Worms-Metz Monastery Route, which connects Rhenish Hesse, Palatinate, Saarland and Lorraine. On this 14 km long and easy route, hikers pass some interesting places. For example, at the Hahnweilerhof in Börrstadt, which belongs to the local municipality of Börrstadt. In Imsbach, it is worth taking a detour to the Mining Museum to see exciting exhibits. Then it continues through the Winnweiler district of Alsenbrück and finally to Lohnsfeld to Rohrbach.

Here you can experience the ups and downs of the Palatinate Forest, the extensive and fertile landscape of the Zeller Valley, the peaceful silence of the Eiswoog and the rich heritage of the historic villages and churches to the fullest. The landscape along this route is characterized by a mixture of forests, meadows, fields, vineyards, streams and lakes. Here there are numerous opportunities to observe the flora and fauna as well as to relax the soul.

Our book tip: Ways of St. James Rheinhessen – Hiking on historic pilgrimage paths

If you would like to learn more about the hiking trails in Germany’s largest wine-growing region, we recommend the travel guide “Jakobswege Rheinhessen” by Frank Hamm, published by Peter Meyer Verlag (ISBN 978-3-89859-336-6).

The book offers hiking information for 17 tours: 8 comfortable stages of the Way of St. James from Mainz via Bingen to Worms, 2 alternative routes near Wörrstadt and 7 circular routes as local loops. In addition, the reader receives culinary recommendations, accommodation options, precise maps with GPX data and information on the pilgrim stamp stations.

My book “Ways of St. James Rheinhessen” is a tribute to my homeland and its cultural history and diversity. In addition to detailed tour descriptions and tips, I give an overview of the development of the region from millions of years ago to the present day. In short essays, the reader learns background information such as the difference between Gutsschänke and Strausswirtschaft, what Heidenturm churches are and why pilgrims did not travel by ship and what simultaneous churches are.

In the footsteps of pilgrims, I explored cities, villages, hills and valleys of Rheinhessen and learned a lot of new things about my homeland.

Content:
The Way of St. James begins in Rheinhessen on the doorstep. For those who want to make a pilgrimage to themselves, but don’t want to travel to Spain first, a new travel guide from Peter Meyer Verlag in Saulheim offers valuable knowledge and practical tips.

As early as the Middle Ages, Rheinhessen was a transit station for pilgrims with the remote destination of Santiago de Compostela. In his hiking guide, author Frank Hamm invites pilgrims and all those who want to become one to explore the local vineyard landscape with its many idyllic villages.

Here the Way of St. James connects the city triangle Mainz – Bingen – Worms. Roman excavations, castles and old village churches document the rich heritage of this ancient cultural landscape. In 17 stage and round trips, the approximately 200 kilometres of the
Rhine-Hessian Ways of St. James with photos, route maps and altitude profiles. The handily cut stages offer plenty of opportunity for inner and culinary contemplation with picturesque views.

Pilgrims and day hikers receive sufficient practical information. Accommodation, shopping and refreshment stops can be looked up in the book, as well as the arrival and departure by train and bus. The book “Ways of St. James Rheinhessen” inspires people to get to know their homeland on foot – in an environmentally friendly way and in a new way
Because of.

The sustainably produced travel guide combines handiness with extensive information and is available in bookstores for 22 euros.

Aquaparks are a worthwhile destination for the whole family. They offer fun, relaxation, adventure and a wealth of attractions. These include wave pools, whirlpools, sauna areas, lazy rivers and water slides. Fitness and wellness offers are often also available. Many bathrooms also impress with a tropical flair and a picturesque scenic location. There are also some aqua parks with a hotel – so it’s worth a slightly longer journey.

The ten best aquaparks in Germany are presented below.

Tropical Islands Resort Krausnick (Brandenburg)

The Tropical Islands Resort in Krausnick, Brandenburg, is designed as a tropical holiday world. It offers a wealth of water attractions for young and old. The pool is equipped with numerous slides and pools. There are also spa offers, various saunas and a children’s area. For exotic holiday fun with the whole family, the Tropical Islands Resort Krausnick is recommended.

Wonnemar Wismar (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)

The Wonnemar is one of the largest aqua parks in northern Germany. On around 15,000 square metres, visitors can choose between various water attractions and slides. This also includes the 120-metre-long giant slide and a looping slide. A real highlight is the wave pool, which has one of the largest wave machines in Europe. For the little visitors there is a children’s paradise and an indoor play paradise. In addition, the Wonnemar in Wismar has a large sauna area with nine different steam baths and saunas. Cafés and restaurants are also integrated into the aquapark.

Therme Erding (Bavaria)

If you are in the mood for a varied thermal bath, you will be interested in the Therme Erding. There is a huge sauna area as well as numerous slides and pools. In the form of a children’s zone, a water playground and a wave pool, there are also attractions for children and families.

Black Forest bathing paradise in Titisee-Neustadt (Baden-Württemberg)

The bathing paradise in Titisee-Neustadt convinces with an idyllic location in the middle of the Black Forest. Visitors can take advantage of a variety of attractions between real palm trees. There is a spa area and a sauna world with 12 themed steam baths and saunas as well as Caribbean resting places. In addition, the Black Forest bathing paradise offers numerous pools and pool bars. There are also slides and water games for young and old.

Spreewelten in Lübbenau (Brandenburg)

The Spreewelten adventure pool is embedded in the beautiful landscape of the Spreewald. It offers a variety of attractions. These include a wave pool, several slides and a sauna area. In addition, there are several children’s areas with special pools and water attractions. A special feature of the Spreewelten is a programmable slide. This aqua park offers bathing fun for the whole family.

Rulantica Rust (Baden-Württemberg)

The Rulantica water park in Rust is part of Europa-Park. Visitors can explore various water worlds as well as use a wave pool, a wild water ride and a lazy river. There are also several slides, among which the tire slide is the most spectacular with its light and sound effects. The Rulantica Aquapark also has a children’s area with water games, paddling pool and small slides. Relaxation areas and saunas are available for adults.

AquaMagis in Plettenberg (North Rhine-Westphalia)

In Plettenberg, AquaMagis opens the gates to a unique water adventure world. There are slides, lazy rivers and wave pools available. The Black Hole slide, which features tunnels and light effects, is particularly popular. In a special area for children, there are mini slides and water games. In addition, visitors benefit from a wide range of solariums, steam baths and saunas. A fitness studio is also integrated into the AquaMagis.

Miramar in Weinheim (Baden-Württemberg)

At Miramar, visitors can take advantage of numerous water attractions, such as a slide, pools and hot tubs. There are also wellness offers and saunas. The highlight is the 3,000 square metre palm oasis with a sandy beach and tropical flair. There you can spend a leisurely day under palm trees.

Tropicana in Stadthagen (Lower Saxony)

As an exotic adventure pool, the Tropicana has a lot to offer for families. Water attractions include slides, wave pool, and lazy river. For children, there is an area with small slides and water games. In addition, the Tropicana is equipped with various steam baths, relaxation areas and saunas. In addition, you can book various wellness offers as well as courses in aquabiking and aqua fitness.

Sylter Welle Westerland (Schleswig-Holstein)

As a modern adventure pool, the Sylter Welle in Westerland is recommended. The pool is located directly on the beach and offers many attractions for all ages. These include a wave pool, a lazy river, a sauna area and a relaxation area with sea views. Wellness and aqua fitness courses are also offered. There is also a children’s area with special pools.

As a destination for a city trip, Paderborn is considered an insider tip – for now! Because the East Westphalian metropolis is bursting with culture, art and superlatives: Weser Renaissance, graffiti stronghold, the world’s largest computer museum and Germany’s largest street art fair. Today we introduce you to what there is to see in Paderborn and at what time of year a trip to the city of just over 150,000 inhabitants is particularly worthwhile.

Graffiti art on monastery walls

Katharina Mock was tired of the unsightly gray wall of her convent. The Superior General of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincenz von Paul zu Paderborn therefore invited graffiti artists from the region in 2018 to paint the approximately 70-metre-long monastery wall. Since then, artists have regularly been allowed to give free rein to their creativity on the wall.

The monastery wall is a symbol of the triumphal march of graffiti in Paderborn’s cityscape. In many places in the city, visitors see colorful murals – huge pictures on the facades of hospitals and companies, the university and private homes. The murals show motifs from pop culture such as Batman or Sheldon from Big Bang Theory as well as local motifs such as Paderborn Cathedral or the Three Hares Window (more on both in a moment).

To make sure you don’t miss any of the colorful works of art, we recommend that you take part in one of the weekly guided tours with a graffiti expert. If none takes place while you are on site, you can use the free multimedia graffiti tour via app, which will take you to the most beautiful murals. The special thing about the East Westphalian city is that the graffiti is particularly present in the city centre and forms an exciting contrast to the many sacred buildings.

Paderborn Cathedral and one of the largest folk festivals in Germany

The most striking church building and roof of the city is the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with its 93-metre-high tower. Anyone who climbs it as part of a guided tour will not only see the fourth-largest bell in Germany, which weighs over 13 tons, but also the completely mechanical movement of the tower clock.

In the cloister of the cathedral, visitors will find the aforementioned Three Rabbit Window. The motif, which originally comes from China , was carved in the 16th century and developed into one of Paderborn’s landmarks, which is taken up again and again in the city’s art and culture.

The cathedral acquired its present form as early as the 13th century. In his crypt the bones of St. John are preserved. Liborius – namesake of the large Paderborn folk festival Libori, which attracts more than 1.5 million visitors to the city every year in July. This makes the week-long festival, which is considered particularly safe, one of the ten largest folk festivals in Germany.

During Libori, the entire city center of Paderborn is transformed into a huge festival where there is a lot to discover. Visitors can expect a colourful hustle and bustle, which is made up of a funfair, church ceremonies and a multifaceted cultural programme: concerts, theatre and comedy will take place on all squares. The funfair mile measures 1.6 kilometers and includes about 150 exhibitors and rides on the Liboriberg. At the traditional Pottmarkt – in the past only pots and pans were sold here – visitors stroll through 140 colourful stalls from brush stalls to herb stalls.

Incidentally, the festival has its Catholic origins in the ceremonial transfer of the relics of St. Liborius from Le Mans in France to Paderborn in 836, which were received with great jubilation in the city. After the ceremonial move-in, the bones found their resting place in Paderborn Cathedral. Along the way, the oldest town twinning in the world was also created. As a result, many French guests cavort among the 1.5 million visitors and contribute to the metropolitan flair.

The shortest river in Germany leads to a castle

A stone’s throw from the cathedral, right in the heart of the city of Paderborn, the Pader rises in two large spring niches from over 200 springs. The surrounding Pader spring area provides a green city centre and is a candidate for the European Heritage Label.

The entire course of the Pader can be explored on a short, beautiful walk, as the body of water measures only 4.6 kilometres and is therefore considered the shortest river in Germany.

The source of the Pader is located in the city of Paderborn and is an association of over 200 springs that are fed from a huge underground water supply, the Paderborn karst spring system. These springs together form the Pader River. With up to 9,000 litres of water per second, the springs of the Pader are among the strongest inner-city springs in Europe. The abundance of water is one of the reasons why Charlemagne founded an imperial palace right here in 776.

Despite its short length, the river plays an important role in the local ecology and provides habitat for various animal and plant species.

Historic mills and water wheels along the river bear witness to the former use of water power.

The river offers numerous recreational opportunities for locals and tourists. Along the Pader there are beautiful parks and green spaces that invite you to walk, jog and relax. The clear, cool waters of the Pader are also a popular spot for anglers.

As an example of European water culture, the Pader is currently a candidate for the European Heritage Label. “What is particularly interesting about the Pader is how it is on the one hand quite typical for the historical water use of a European medium-sized city and on the other hand represents an isolated phenomenon due to the high concentration of economic, cultural and social facilities in a very small area directly on the river,” says Prof. Dr. Michael Ströhmer, expert in environmental and climate history with a focus on “Municipal Water Regimes” from the University of Paderborn.

Neuhaus Castle

Where the Pader flows into the Lippe stands one of Paderborn’s most famous landmarks: Neuhaus Castle. The magnificent building dates back to the 14th century. It received its present, striking design with moat and four-winged complex with round corner towers in the 16th century, making it one of the most important and beautiful examples of the Weser Renaissance.

Over the summer, cultural and art events take place in the extensive castle and floodplain park. One highlight is Germany’s largest street art fair “Performance Paderborn”. At the free fair, visitors can experience street theatre, artistry and creative street art. This year, on 4. and 5 September, around 50 artists will perform in 100 performances.

The largest computer museum in the world

Between the Paderquell area and Neuhaus Castle, technology enthusiasts will find the world’s largest computer museum. In the “Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum“, adults and children learn interactively about the invention of the computer, its further development to the present day and the future of information technology on around 7000 square meters of exhibition space. The forum is named after the Paderborn entrepreneur Heinz Nixdorf, pioneer of computer history and one of the most influential personalities of the German economic miracle.

When should you travel to Paderborn?

Basically, Paderborn makes a nice destination for a short break all year round. In winter, the large Christmas market runs through the city centre. In spring, the extremely green city centre and the surrounding area blossom and invite you to extensive bike tours. In summer and early autumn, numerous festivals and events take place, such as Libori (July), the graffiti festival “Secret City” (August) or the street art fair “Performance Paderborn” (September). So it depends entirely on your own preferences. But a visit to the still insider tip Paderborn is always worthwhile.