About 168 kilometers from Cologne Cathedral over the Bergisches Land and the Siegerland to Marburg – to the grave of Saint Elizabeth, and a Way of St. James in the other direction.
The Elisabethpfad 3 is the western one of the three Elisabeth paths and runs from Köln (Cologne) to Marburg, to the grave of Saint Elizabeth. It was established in 2007.
From Marburg toward Cologne the route is at the same time waymarked as a Way of St. James – linking the Rhineland with the central German pilgrim network. The route leads out of the Rhine metropolis into the Bergisches Land and on through the Siegerland to the Hessian uplands.
Ideal if you're starting in Cologne and want a varied upland route through the Bergisches Land and Siegerland – with Cologne Cathedral as a grand opening and the Elizabeth grave as the goal. Comfortably walked in about a week.
Less suitable if you prefer flat terrain: the Bergisches Land and Siegerland mean steady ups and downs. As on all Elisabeth paths: bring a guidebook or map.
From Cologne Cathedral the route leads over Köln-Brück out of the city into the Bergisches Land, over Marialinden and Denklingen. On over Oberfischbach it reaches the Siegerland with Siegen.
Over Niederdielfen, Hainchen and Ewersbach it crosses into the Hessian hinterland and over Dilschhausen finally to Marburg and the Elisabethkirche.
The route divides into about eight sections (Köln–Köln-Brück–Marialinden–Denklingen–Oberfischbach–Siegen/Niederdielfen–Ewersbach–Dilschhausen–Marburg). The terrain is upland: the Bergisches Land and Siegerland bring steady, moderate climbs. It is marked with the red Elizabeth symbol, and toward Cologne additionally with the scallop shell.
Like all Elisabeth paths, this route too has the grave of Saint Elizabeth in Marburg as its goal. Its opening, though, is grand and urban: Cologne Cathedral, one of Europe's most significant churches. From the Rhineland the route feels its way over the heights of the Bergisches Land and the Siegerland into the quiet Hessian uplands.
In Marburg all three Elisabeth paths meet, and the goal is reached. As the route toward Cologne is also waymarked as a Way of St. James, it links the Elizabeth grave with the Rhenish and European network; from Marburg the Elisabethpfad 1 (toward Frankfurt) and Elisabethpfad 2 (toward Eisenach) lead onward.
The best time is spring to autumn. Accommodation is in guesthouses, inns and private homes – a pilgrim credential is useful for stamps. A newly reissued guidebook (with QR codes) and accommodation lists are available from the association.
Germany is more expensive than Spain. Budget roughly €45–75 per day for accommodation and food; simple lodgings and self-catering lower the cost.
The starting point is Köln (Cologne), an international transport hub.
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