The around 470 km/ 290mi long Via Regia or Ecumenical Pilgrims Way in Germany is part of the large network of European St.James Ways that all end up in Santiago de Compostela (Spain). This particular way starts in Görlitz at the German/Polish border and continues through many historic towns like Leipzig, Erfurt, Gotha and Eisenach (where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German in the nearby Wartburg) towards Vacha at the former inner German border between East and West Germany.
From Vacha pilgrims can continue either via Fulda and Mainz and to Trier (where the tomb of St.Matthew is said to be, the only apostle’s tomb north of the Alps. From there the way goes via Metz, Vezelay towards the Pyrenees and then to Santiago de Compostela. Another possible route would be to walk, after Vacha, via Würzburg, Ulm, Konstanz into Switzerland and then via Einsiedeln and Geneva towards Le Puy en Velay in France and to continue on that route towards Santiago.
The Via Regia is in many respects unique and as there isn’t much available in English about this interesting pilgrims route, I decided to put together this little web site to make it better known. Please have a look at the right side bar for those articles that interest you. Buen Camino!
Via Regia Guide 
Hi. I walked this route in August 2014. It has the essence of a true pilgrim route and an excellent network of pilgrim accommodation. I loved this route and my friend from New Zealand thought it was rather “quirky”. Very friendly enthusiastic reception from the locals. It was haunting at times from a historical perspective. I have alluded to some of this in my blog. http://Www.gittiharre.blogspot.com
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I know what you mean with haunting! In one little village, when I was enquiring about the next days stage, I was asked: “Buchenwald or Erfurt?” as there were two options. Buen Camino, SY
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Good start–we need to get the word out. I’m planning to walk the 2000+ miles starting this April from the Polish-Ukraine border (Medyka) to Santiago via the German Via Regia (that I walked last May) then via Frankfurt, Mainz, Kaiserslautern, Metz, Paris, Tours, and Bordeaux. Am planning to take the del Norte route in Spain. Can’t wait– I will blog (WordPress). Great effort–Buen Camino.
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Great plan, Kurt! I am sure you will enjoy every single step (even those that hurt and/or are in the rain). Make sure to leave another comment with your blog url when you have started blogging. Buen Camino, SY
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Yes!
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Kurt what a brilliant journey lies ahead of you!
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Hi there
I have been following your information with interest. I have also been scoping out how to move on from Vacha and it seems to me that it is possible to catch a bus to Bad Hersfeld or Fulda or Eisenach and connect onto the train system from there. What alternative do you recommend?
And, also, it seems that it is possible to catch a network of trains to get to Gorlitz to start with – even from Britain. Quite amazing really.
What do people not from Germany usually do? This information could be useful in the guide.
And, another question… Most people seem to do between 15 – 25km days on this route. Is the travelling usually flattish like the coastal parts of the Norte, or undulating like the Primitivo? The 3 weeks suggestion on the official site is surely pushing hard with no rest days.
Thanks
Mary
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We will be walking this route in the spring of 2018 and would appreciate any tips on how to get supporting information (eg., distances between towns, more info about accommodations, etc.
Kris
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