Jacobsweg Die Haghe

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: The Hague (Grote or St. Jacob's Church) → Vlissingen (St. Jacob's Church)
• Length: approx. 122 km — a section of the 224-km-long main route from Haarlem to Bruges/Ghent
• Stages: 6 (15–29 km)
• Duration: 6–7 days
• Regions: Netherlands — South Holland and Zeeland
• Terrain: Flat coastal and delta trail — the highest point is the top of a dike
• Waymarking: No marked trail—the guidebook and GPX track are your navigation aids
• Organisation: Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob — guidebook "Jacobswegen in Nederland deel 1", 2nd edition 2018
• Connection: from Vlissingen by ferry to Breskens on the Via Scaldea Toward Saint-Quentin

Overview

The Jacobsweg Die Haghe connects two churches with the same name: the Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk in The Hague, whose hexagonal tower has stood 93 meters above the city since the 1420s, and which Sint-Jacobskerk built in Vlissingen 1308–1328 — older than the town charter of the town that bears it. In between: 122 Kilometers in six stages, first along the Vliet through Delft, then by ferry across the Nieuwe Waterweg, the right of way for which has been in effect since 1332 is documented, and finally from dike to dike through the delta—the Haringvliet Locks, the Brouwersdam, the Oosterschelde Barrier, and the Veerse Gat Dam. The highest point of the week is the crest of a dike. The steepest climb is the headwind.

“Die Haghe” is the medieval spelling of The Hague—the Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob consistently names its Dutch St. James’ Ways after the old place names. And it remains true to its mission: The guide describes routes “die de middeleeuwse pelgrim ook zou hebben kunnen lopen”—along “vrijwel alle Jacobskerken en -gasthuizen” A well-founded reconstruction, then, not a traditional route, and without its own markings: the guidebook and GPS track serve as your navigation here. Few routes can match what this one has to offer in terms of substance: 28 Pilgrimage tokens associated with St. James have been documented in Zeeland, and at the Zeeuws Museum—located at the final stage of the journey—there is a silver goblet commemorating a pilgrimage to Santiago de 1595 reminds us.

1279: Twelve knights were defeated; 1574: Lost its name; 1986: Found its way back

The Hague is the only Dutch city with St. James as its patron saint, and that's no coincidence: Count Floris V was 1254 born on or around Jacob's name day, and 1279 The Order of St. James was founded in the Ridderzaal—the hall where the throne speech is delivered today—when twelve nobles were knighted on July 25. The wooden St. James Chapel on this site has been documented since the early 13th century, 1335 Construction of the stone building began, and with the addition of the side aisles starting in 1434, it became the first “Haagse hallenkerk” in the Netherlands. 1456 The Chapter of the Order of the Golden Fleece even met here. Then came the split—and this path allows us to date it to the exact day.

In April 1, 1572 The Watergeuzen captured Brielle, the first city in the Netherlands—the destination for your second day. On the July 9, 1572 Nineteen Catholic clergymen—the Martyrs of Gorcum—were hanged near Brielle; in the same year, St. James’ Church in Vlissingen was converted to the Protestant faith, 1574 The Hague lost its patron saint. The punchline: The only living place of pilgrimage along this route—Brielle, with a national pilgrimage every July and a canonization 1867, the sanctuary reopened in 2012—commemorating the very year in which pilgrimages here came to an end. And yet the thread was never completely severed: The Zeeuws Museum in Middelburg houses the silver lid cup of the St. James Guild of Sint-Maartensdijk, which commemorates a pilgrimage to Santiago in the year 1595 It is said that—in the midst of the Eighty Years' War—a Zeeland member of the Guild of St. James had silver forged because it had been in Santiago.

The revival has a date and a name day: On July 25, 1986 The Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob—which today has about 14,500 members—was founded on July 25, 1999 the Sint-Jacobskerk in Vlissingen received the pilgrim statue and the official pilgrim stamp, and 2022 The four-meter-tall Jacobus Monument was added, featuring a compass rose that indicates the direction and distance to Santiago. The most beautiful piece of the Revival, however, is a work of art in two parts: 2012 Sculptor Eric Brandts created the pair of bowls titled “Heen en Keer”—“Hin” has stood ever since in the Sint-Jacobskerk in Vlissingen, and “Zurück” in the pilgrim’s office at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Two halves of the same work, two thousand kilometers apart: one at the end of this path, one at the end of all paths.

Other Names

Die Haghe is neither a saint's name nor a river name—it is the old spelling of Den Haag: “des Graven hage,” the count’s fenced-in hunting grounds, became ‘s-Gravenhage and, colloquially, Die Haghe. The Nederlands Genootschap van Sint Jacob consistently names its six Dutch St. James’ Ways after the medieval spellings of the place names: Amstelredam for Amsterdam, Thuredrecht for Dordrecht, Nieumeghen for Nijmegen, Amsvorde for Amersfoort—and Die Haghe for The Hague. Two minor points for German speakers: The Dutch spelling remains unchanged. The Way of St. James with c, and this page describes the section The Hague → Vlissingen from a longer route — the guidebook lists the entire “Die Haghe” route as 224 kilometers, from Haarlem through The Hague and Vlissingen to Bruges and Ghent. Our route is the core section in between: from one Sint-Jacobskerk to the other.

Who It's Ideal For—and Who It's Not So Ideal For

Ideal if you’re looking for a Camino without mountain passes but still want to walk a route that’s unlike any other: six flat stages featuring four Delta Works, a ferry with a history dating back to 1332, and two churches dedicated to St. James serving as the “covers” of this book. It’s perfect as a beginner’s route, as spring training before a major Camino—and as the start of a journey that begins at home: You can set off from The Hague without a flight, board the ferry in Vlissingen, and head toward Flanders. Each stage is accessible by train or bus; the route can easily be broken down into weekend segments.

To be honest, though, this route isn’t for you if you need trail markers: There are no recorded markers for Die Haghe—the yellow seashells that the Genootschap has been placing since 2019 are located along the other route from Utrecht to the Belgian border. Here, you’ll need to navigate using a guidebook and a GPX track, both of which you’ll need to get beforehand, not along the way. The social Camino vibe is also missing: no network of hostels, no pilgrim tables—you’ll be staying in regular Dutch accommodations. And for those seeking solitude: Stage 1 runs through the Randstad, and Stage 2 passes by the Port of Botlek. This isn’t a drawback, but rather the reality of this route—the Netherlands is densely populated.

Route & Landscape

You start right in the middle of Den Haag at the Grote or Sint-Jacobskerk, and the first leg of the route runs almost entirely along the water: along the Vliet through Rijswijk, Voorburg, and Leidschendam, then through the city of canals Delft according to Schipluiden — where the Jacobsweg branches off at Thuredrecht toward Antwerp. From here, the trail turns toward the coast: through Maasland to Maassluis, by ferry across the Nieuwe Waterweg, along the Botlek Harbor to Brielle. That's where the Delta begins.

By Hellevoetsluis You walk on structures: across the Haringvlietschleusen — 17 locks over five kilometers —, through the dunes of Ouddorp and about the Brouwersdam to Schouwen, then on across the delta dikes from Oosterscheldekering and Veerse Gatdam to Walcheren. In between lie traffic-free polder roads, beach towns, and the quiet centers of old port cities that the sea has abandoned: Goedereede, Veere, Arnemuiden. The last day is the best — Middelburg with the Abbey and the Zeeuws Museum, then Vlissingen, where the Westerschelde is so wide that the cargo ships look like rows of houses passing by. 122 kilometers, and not a single one taller than a dike.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

Six stages ranging from 15 to 29 kilometers—and none of them are difficult in terms of elevation gain. What makes this route challenging is something else: the long stretches through the delta where there are no cafés or shade for kilometers on end (on the Haringvliet stage, you’ll have to bring your own food), the wind, which on the Zeeland coast feels like a never-ending climb, and the 29-kilometer stage from Renesse to Veere with two Delta Works along the way—you’ll want to plan that as a separate day, not an add-on. Terrain: plenty of asphalt and bike paths, plus dike trails and dune sand. All stage distances are rounded figures from the portal—the total length of 122 km is the official measurement.

1. Den Haag → Schipluiden (approx. 16 km) — Start at the Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk, then almost entirely along the water: through Rijswijk, Voorburg, and Leidschendam along the Vliet, through Delft and Den Hoorn. In Schipluiden, the route splits—this is where the Jacobsweg Thuredrecht begins, heading toward Antwerp.
2. Schipluiden → Brielle (approx. 19 km) — Through Maasland to Maassluis, then by ferry across the Nieuwe Waterweg to Rozenburg — the ferry right has been documented since 1332, and ferries run every 20 minutes. Then, past the Port of Botlek to Brielle, the pilgrimage site of the 19 Martyrs of Gorcum.
3. Brielle → Goedereede (approx. 20 km) — Via Tinte, Hellevoetsluis, and Rockanje to the first major Delta Works project: the Haringvliet Locks, 17 locks stretching over 5 kilometers, which you’ll cross on foot in their entirety. Then through the polders to Goedereede.
4. Goedereede → Renesse (approx. 22 km) — Through the dunes of Ouddorp, across the Brouwersdam to Schouwen, and via Scharendijke to Renesse; the North Sea beach is within earshot for half the stage.
5. Renesse → Veere (approx. 29 km) — The longest leg of the entire route: via Burgh-Haamstede and the delta dikes — the Oosterschelde barrier with Neeltje Jans, then the Veerse Gat Dam — to Walcheren, via Vrouwenpolder and Gapinge to the old port city of Veere.
6. Veere → Vlissingen (approx. 15 km) — The short, packed final day: via Arnemuiden and Middelburg—the Zeeuws Museum houses the silver cup of the St. James Guild from 1595—and via Oost-Souburg to the St. James Church in Vlissingen, built between 1308 and 1328. There you’ll find a stamp point, the Jacobus Monument, and the Via Scaldea.

The Träger Trail continues from there: through Sluis according to Brugge (two stages), with an optional route to Gent — and anyone who wants to grow crops further north should start as early as Haarlem starting at the Sint-Bavo Church, two stages via Leiden to The Hague. That’s how the guidebook arrives at its 224-kilometer total.

Highlights Along the Way

• Grote Church or St. James' Church, The Hague — Construction began in 1335 as a stone church; the hexagonal tower, built between 1420 and 1424, stands 93 meters tall; beginning in 1434, it was converted into the first “Haagse hallenkerk” in the Netherlands; In 1456, the Chapter of the Order of the Golden Fleece met here.
• Delft — Canals, Oude and Nieuwe Kerk, Prinsenhof: The first leg goes right through the middle.
• Maassluis–Rozenburg Ferry — First mentioned in records from 1332, when the Lord of Voorne bequeathed the ferry revenues to his wife, Elizabeth; today, ferries run every 20 minutes, and pedestrians pay 1 euro (as of August 2026).
• Brielle — On April 1, 1572, it became the first city to fall into the hands of the Watergeuzen; on July 9, 1572, the 19 Martyrs of Gorcum were hanged here; they were canonized in 1867. Today, it is the only active pilgrimage site along the route, hosting a national pilgrimage every July.
• Haringvlietschleusen — 17 locks over a distance of 5 kilometers, all of which can be walked along their entire length; halfway along the route is the “Zoet en Zout” visitor center café.
• Goedereede — lists the only Dutch pope in its register of parish priests: Adriaan Florensz, who became Pope Adrian VI in 1521 — he was not required to live there as part of his benefice. The old parsonage, now a hotel, features the “Pauskamer.”
• Veere — operated the Scottish wool exchange from 1551 to 1799; the Schotse Huizen on the quay are remnants of that era.
• Middelburg — Granted city rights in 1217, abbey featuring the “Lange Jan” — and, at the Zeeuws Museum, the silver goblet of the St. James Guild of Sint-Maartensdijk, commemorating a pilgrimage to Santiago in 1595.
• St. James Church, Vlissingen — Built 1308–1328, predating the town charter of 1315; Michiel de Ruyter was baptized and married here; burned down in 1911, then rebuilt. Today it is a stamp stop featuring a pilgrim statue (1999), the Jacobus Monument (2022), and the scallop shell half “Heen,” whose counterpart stands in Santiago.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

The most natural route is the trail itself: According to the guidebook, Die Haghe does not begin in The Hague, but 57 kilometers further north in Haarlem at the Sint-Bavo Church — two stages via Leiden, right through the flower bulb region. In Haarlem, the Jacobsweg Amstelredam, the long north-south axis of the Dutch network from Den Oever to Roermond. And anyone coming from Antwerp takes the Jacobsweg Thuredrecht in the opposite direction until Schipluiden — which puts us right in the middle of our first stage.

For everyone else, The Hague is as convenient a starting point for the Camino as you can get: The Hague Central Station It's a 10-minute walk from the Grote Kerk, half an hour by train from Amsterdam Schiphol, and from Germany, you can get there with one transfer in Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

Continue the pilgrimage?

This isn't the end—this is where the baton is passed, quite literally at the very same church door: At the Sint-Jacobskerk in Vlissingen, the Via Scaldea, 278 kilometers to the Basilica of Saint-Quentin. Your first stop is a boat ride—the Westerschelde ferry to Breskens It only allows pedestrians and cyclists and takes a good twenty minutes; an image of St. James is already waiting over there at St. Barbara’s Church. From there, the route continues through Zeeuws-Vlaanderen to Gent and up the Scheldt.

Those who prefer to complete the entire hiking trail will spend two more stages on Die Haghe — via Sluis according to Brugge. The route begins in Sluis Via Brugensis, 199 kilometers via Bruges and Ypres to Arras: the second route, for anyone who prefers Flanders to the Scheldt Valley. And you’ve already passed the third option on the first day: In Schipluiden, the Jacobsweg Thuredrecht from there, 154 kilometers via Rotterdam and Dordrecht to Kapellen near Antwerp. Three branches spanning 122 kilometers—hardly any other section of the northern network has such a dense network of branches.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time is April through October, with clear favorites: May, when the onion fields north of The Hague are in bloom, and September, when the coast is deserted and the ferries still run on their summer schedule. July and August are peak season on the Zeeland coast—that’s when you should book your stay in Renesse, Veere, and Vlissingen. Winter is an option too, but the wind blowing across the Delta dikes isn’t just a matter of the weather—it’s a choice.

Navigation is the part of this route that requires preparation: There are no trail markers. You'll need a guide.“Jacobs Routes in the Netherlands, Part 1 – West” (2nd edition, 2018, Bram van der Wees, approximately 12.50 euros, as of August 2026) and a GPX-Track on your cell phone. Plan to take the Maassluis–Rozenburg ferry in Stage 2—it runs every 20 minutes, but not all night long. A Pilgrim's Passport (Credencial) You don't need a bed here, but it's worth the trip: The Sint-Jacobskerk in Vlissingen has been an official stamp stop for the Genootschap since July 25, 1999. If this leg of the journey is the start of a longer trip, order your passport online in advance.

With the Camino Ninja App You're in good hands—it has the entire route mapped out, and you can put together your own stages and plan suitable accommodations right along with it. On a trail with no markings and no network of hostels, that's doubly valuable.

What the journey will cost you

The Netherlands isn't a cheap destination for pilgrims, and this route doesn't have any hostels that keep prices down: Expect to pay 60 to 100 euros per day For a room with breakfast plus meals, prices in Zeeland tend to be on the higher end during peak season (estimate as of August 2026). It’s cheaper through host networks for hikers and at coastal campgrounds; more expensive in Veere and Middelburg, where tourism drives up prices. Two expenses are pleasantly low: The Maassluis–Rozenburg ferry costs 1 euro for pedestrians, and the guidebook is about 12.50 euros (as of August 2026). The real way to save money is by taking the train: Since every stage is located along a train or bus route, you can stay in one fixed accommodation and walk the stages from there—this keeps costs significantly lower than on a tour where you change accommodations every day.

Getting Here

To begin with: The Hague Centraal is about a ten-minute walk from the Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk; Intercity trains from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht run every half hour. From Amsterdam Schiphol, the train runs directly and takes about half an hour. From Germany, take the ICE International to Amsterdam or Rotterdam and change trains once.

About the goal: Vlissingen has its own train station at the end of the Zeeland line via Middelburg, Goes, and Roosendaal—returning the same day is no problem. Those traveling further don't need it: From the ferry terminal, the Westerschelde ferry goes to Breskens, and that's where the Via Scaldea. Even when you're on the go, you're never far from public transportation: Delft, Maassluis, Hellevoetsluis, Renesse, Veere, and Middelburg are all served by train or bus routes.

• Getting to the starting point: Intercity to The Hague Centraal; schedules are available at [ns.nl](https://www.ns.nl) and [bahn.de](https://www.bahn.de).
• On the go: Train and bus connections in Delft, Maassluis, Hellevoetsluis, Renesse, Veere, and Middelburg—ideal for weekend trips.
• Return trip: From Vlissingen via Roosendaal to Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
• Ferries: Maassluis–Rozenburg ([veermaassluisrozenburg.nl](https://veermaassluisrozenburg.nl)) and Vlissingen–Breskens ([westerscheldeferry.nl](https://www.westerscheldeferry.nl)).