Camino Francés, Santiago de Compostela

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 ...

stretches from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela

16 things in this story

Camino de SantiagoTrailnetwork of 281 routes, encompassing more than 51,500 miles
Camino FrancésTrailstretches from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela
Elsewhere
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
Eltz CastleSightWierschem, Germanywell-preserved castle's origin dates back to the 12th century
Hakenberg Victory ColumnSightFehrbellin, Germanymonument built in honor of Brandenburg's victory
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

Read the full piece at National Geographic →

Camino Francés

In the coverage1 story

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