Eltz Castle, Wierschem

National GeographicMar 12, 2025

Germany’s Camino trek rivals Spain’s famous pilgrimage—and is a lot less crowded

In Spain, a record-breaking number of pilgrims have attempted the Camino de Santiago (or the Way of St. James), turning the once contemplative pilgrimage or secular hike into a popular tourist ...

well-preserved castle's origin dates back to the 12th century

16 things in this story

Eltz CastleAttractionwell-preserved castle's origin dates back to the 12th century
Elsewhere
Camino de SantiagoTrailSantiago de Compostela, Spainnetwork of 281 routes, encompassing more than 51,500 miles
Stolzenfels CastleSightKoblenz, Germanymarks the beginning of the Moselle Camino
Hornbach AbbeyHotelHornbach, Germany8th-century monastery that now doubles as a 4-star hotel
Alexanderplatz stationSightBerlin, Germanystarting point for the Brandenburg Way
The Benedictine Abbey of St. MatthiasSightTrier, Germanyendpoint of the Moselle Camino in Trier
Imperial Cathedral, SpeyerMuseumSpeyer, Germanybasilica served as a burial ground for eight German emperors
Blieskastel GollensteinSightBlieskastel, Germany4,000-year-old monolith along the Palatinate Way
Hakenberg Victory ColumnSightFehrbellin, Germanymonument built in honor of Brandenburg's victory
Camino FrancésTrailSantiago de Compostela, Spainstretches from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela
German CaminoTrailBerlin, Germanyoffers historic landmarks, scenery, and a similar hiking experience
Camino NinjaPlaceBerlin, Germanyapp for Camino and German-language resources
Camino LovePlaceBerlin, Germanyapp to view maps and plan daily itineraries
Moselle CaminoTrailTrier, Germany100-mile section from Koblenz to Trier
Palatinate Way of St. James, The Northern RouteTrailSpeyer, Germany93-mile trek in the Rhineland Palatinate
Brandenburg Way of St. JamesTrailBerlin, Germany132-mile route from Berlin to Tangermünde

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Eltz Castle

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Germany’s Camino trek rivals Spain’s famous pilgrimage—and is a lot less crowded