Kinzigtäler Jakobsweg

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Loßburg (Jakobusstein) / Strasbourg (Münster)
• Length: 134.1 km
• Duration: 5–6 days (standard operator itinerary: 7 stages)
• Elevation gain: ↗ 2,202 m / ↘ 2,728 m
• Highest / lowest point: 666 m (Loßburg) / 133 m (Rhine Plain)
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging — the middle stages involve the most elevation gain
• Marking: Well-marked throughout; maintained by the Kinzigtal Friends of St. James with route sponsors
• Countries: Germany and France (Kehl–Strasbourg Rhine crossing)
• Connection: near Schutterwald on the Badischen Jakobsweg
• Best time: May through October

Overview

Kinzigtäler Jakobsweg begins at a spring and ends at a cathedral: 134.1 kilometers from the The source of the Kinzig River near Loßburg downstream through the central Black Forest, out into the Rhine Valley, and across the bridge to Strasbourg. Along the way, the trail showcases all that the valley has to offer—the Benedictine monastery Alpirsbach from 1095, the Wittichen pilgrimage monastery, the half-timbered towns of Haslach and Gengenbach and no fewer than two St. James chapels, one of which has arguably the most eventful history of any chapel along Germany's network of trails.

This route isn't old, nor does it need to be: it was conceived in 1992 during a pilgrimage to Santiago and established in 1993 by a local historian from Hausach marked by hand with a paint can and brush — a grassroots initiative with no official body or diocese, which to this day is supported by volunteer route sponsors. There is, however, evidence that people from the Kinzig Valley did indeed make the pilgrimage to Santiago in the Middle Ages; they followed the same route: down the valley, across the Rhine, and westward.

Other Names

Two spellings are in use simultaneously: Kinzigtäler Jakobswegand Kinzigtäler Jakobusweg— Both refer to the same route; the organizing group itself (“Kinzigtal Friends of St. James”) usually uses the longer form. There is no official or ecclesiastical dual naming; the name is simply based on geography: the valley through which the trail passes gave it its name — and the Kinzig originates right at the starting point.

Who it's ideal for—and who it's not really for

Kinzigtäler Jakobsweg is ideal if you have just under a week and are looking for a low-mountain trail that really has it all: monasteries, chapels, half-timbered towns, a river from its source to the estuary—and, at the end, a cathedral in another country. The extensive train and bus service in the Kinzigtal is a rare luxury: You can hike each stage individually and take the train or bus back in the evening if you want. If you’d like your luggage transferred, you can even book that as a package here.

To be honest, though, it’s not for you if you’re expecting flat pilgrimage routes or a network of inns with shared dormitories: The middle stages involve up to 800 meters of elevation gain per day, and you’ll be staying at inns and guesthouses—the only true pilgrim hostel is located in the Protestant church in Schenkenzell. And anyone who wants to walk only historically documented routes should know: The marked trail was established in 1993. Nevertheless, the route has been the same for centuries.

Route & Landscape

The trail begins at the St. James' Stone in Loßburg at 666 meters—where St. James’ Church, first mentioned in 1409, once stood, and where the Kinzig River has its source. From here, the trail follows the river steadily downhill: through coniferous forests and meadow valleys, past the monastery church Alpirsbach past Schenkenzell and the remote monastery Wittichen according to Wolfach, where St. James Chapel overlooks the valley. The middle stages are both the heart of the journey and the most challenging part: a constant up-and-down trek along the valley slopes, with the highest daily elevation gains of the entire route.

From Haslach the valley opens up onto the Rhine Plain: vineyards instead of fir trees, half-timbered houses instead of forests, and with Gengenbach One of Baden's best-preserved medieval small towns—including St. James Chapel on the Bergle, which stands on the foundation walls of an early historical place of worship. The final stages run on flat terrain through the plain: through the Offenburg region and Schutterwald, where the Badischer Jakobsweg intersects, to Kehl to the Rhine — and across the bridge to Strasbourg, where the cathedral serves as the final stop.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

The operator divides the path into seven stages between 15 and 23 kilometers; athletic pilgrims combine the flat final stages and complete the route in five to six days. The elevation gain is concentrated in the middle: The Schenkenzell–Wolfach and Wolfach–Haslach stages each involve about 800 meters of ascent and descent, while the final two days in the Rhine Valley are almost entirely flat. The terrain alternates between forest and field trails and paved sections through towns; sturdy hiking boots are sufficient.

1. Loßburg → Schenkenzell (16.5 km) — Starts at the Jakobusstein at the source of the Kinzig River, passing through Alpirsbach with its monastery church, founded in 1095.
2. Schenkenzell → Wolfach (23.2 km) — The longest stage: via the Poor Clares convent in Wittichen and St. Roman to the St. James Chapel in Wolfach.
3. Wolfach → Haslach (20.6 km) — Via Hausach, passing Cruz de Ferro and Mühlenbach, to the historic, listed half-timbered old town of Haslach.
4. Haslach → Zell am Harmersbach (16.5 km) — Through Steinach and across the opening valley landscape.
5. Zell am Harmersbach → Gengenbach (15.6 km) — Arrival in the medieval town with the St. James Chapel on the Bergle.
6. Gengenbach → Schutterwald (19.3 km) — Along the Kinzig River out into the Rhine Valley; here the trail meets the Badischer Jakobsweg.
7. Schutterwald → Strasbourg (22.4 km) — Across the plain to Kehl on the Rhine and over the bridge to Strasbourg Cathedral.

With a paint pot and a brush: the hand-painted Way of St. James

The story of how this path came to be has a name and a tool: Kurt Klein, a local historian from Hausach, brought back the idea of a pilgrimage to Santiago in 1992—and then picked up a paintbrush and some paint himself to mark the route. It was inaugurated on July 25, 1993, St. James’ Day, with a church service at the St. James Chapel in Wolfach; the pilgrimage stones were added year after year: Loßburg in 1993, Schenkenzell in 1994, and St. Roman in 1997. No official body, no diocese, no association with bylaws—just people from the valley who, to this day, serve as “route sponsors” to ensure that everyone reaches their daily destination. Kleins’s words on the matter are the best motto a trail could have: “Whoever sets out on the Way of St. James opens a door that they will never be able to close completely again.”

The fact that the direction is older than the marker is shown by the St. James Chapel in Wolfach — the chapel that disappeared twice and returned twice. According to legend, shepherds heard singing coming from a fir tree and found a statue of St. James inside; the chapel that was built there became 1540 destroyed. In 1655, children playing in the area discovered the ruins and secretly set up an altar—only then did reconstruction begin, culminating in 1680 with the current building, featuring three Baroque altars by the Schupp family of sculptors. Pilgrimages continue to this day on July 25, and those who arrive outside of opening hours can stamp their own cards: 30 to 50 pilgrims and hikers do so each week. The valley’s tradition of long-distance pilgrimage is also well-documented—as early as 1982, historian Thomas Kopp documented that people from the Kinzig Valley once made the journey to Santiago; those who could not afford the trip went instead to the St. James Chapel on the Gengenbach Bergle.

The latest chapter brings us full circle back to the Spanish model: Since 2019, there has been a Iron Cross — a replica of the Iron Cross of Foncebadón on the Camino Francés, with an annual St. James Mass in July. A Camino landmark that Black Forest pilgrimage enthusiasts have brought to their own valley. This is exactly how this path has worked since 1993: What you love about Santiago, you bring home—if necessary, with a paintbrush.

Highlights Along the Way

• The Source of the Kinzig River and the Jakobusstein, Loßburg — The river that gives the trail its name has its source right at the starting point; the stone commemorates St. James’s Church, which was first mentioned in 1409.
• Alpirsbach Abbey Church — Benedictine monastery founded in 1095; Romanesque basilica built by the Hirsau School of Architecture, with a Gothic cloister; Protestant since the Reformation.
• Wittichen Monastery — Founded in 1324 by Blessed Luitgard; the opening of her tomb in 1629 sparked a pilgrimage that continues to this day.
• St. James Chapel in Wolfach — Found by shepherds, destroyed in 1540, rediscovered by children in 1655, rebuilt in 1680; three Baroque altars donated by the Schupp family and a self-stamping device for pilgrims.
• Cruz de Ferro near Hausach — Since 2019, the Black Forest replica of the Iron Cross from the Camino Francés.
• Haslach — a historic, listed half-timbered old town in a valley that opens up.
• Gengenbach — one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Baden; on the Bergle hill stands the 13th-century St. James Chapel, which houses a 14th-century Pietà.
• Crossing the Rhine at Kehl–Strasbourg — on foot across the bridge, from the Baden side straight toward Strasbourg Cathedral.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

The main feeder route comes from the Neckar: Anyone traveling on the Jakobsweg Rothenburg–Rottenburg Upon arriving in Rottenburg, take the signposted connecting path through Horb It continues—it joins the Kinzigtäler Jakobsweg exactly at the Jakobusstein in Loßburg. This section is part of the old Rottenburg–Strasbourg route, along which medieval pilgrims from the Kinzig Valley would join the groups heading west.

You can travel directly there without any transfers: Loßburg is located on the Freudenstadt–Horb rail line, which connects to the Gäubahn toward Stuttgart. And the extensive bus and train network in the Kinzig Valley—Alpirsbach, Wolfach, Hausach, Haslach, and Gengenbach are all served by the Kinzigtalbahn—makes it easy to join the route right in the middle.

Continue the pilgrimage?

At Schutterwald you'll come across the Badischen Jakobsweg, which runs from there through Lahr and Rust to Breisach on the Rhine leads — and the connection goes beyond just being neighbors: The Kinzigtal Friends of St. James also maintain the Schutterwald–Rust section, which was inaugurated in 2007. So anyone who wants to stay in the Black Forest and cross the Rhine later should turn off here.

The main line runs through Strasbourg Next: From Münster, the Alsatian Ways of St. James head southwest toward Burgundy—there isn’t yet a separate Camino Ninja page for this continuation, but it’s marked nonetheless. If you’re thinking about the big picture, you’ll eventually end up in Camino Francés — The door that this path opens just doesn't close all the way anymore.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time is May through October, at its best in May/June and September—the classic low-mountain season without the heat issues of southern trails. Overnight accommodations include inns, guesthouses, and hotels; the only traditional pilgrim hostel is located in the Protestant church Schenkenzell. Book in advance during the vacation season—the Kinzig Valley is also a popular hiking destination, and the beautiful half-timbered towns get crowded on weekends.

As on all German routes of the Way of St. James, you'll need a Pilgrim's Passport (Credencial), so you can get your passport stamped along the way—for example, at the Wolfach Tourist Information Office, the “Krone” Hotel, the St. Laurentius parish office, or by stamping it yourself right at the St. James Chapel. Order it online in advance so it arrives in time for your start. For those who prefer a more comfortable option: There’s a bookable package available for the route that includes six nights’ lodging and Baggage Transfer. The easiest way to plan your stages and find suitable accommodations is directly in the Camino Ninja app.

What the journey will cost you

For overnight stays at inns and guesthouses that include breakfast in the central Black Forest, you can expect to pay 50 to 75 euros per person per night, plus 15 to 25 euros per day for meals—depending on how often you eat at inns instead of eating from your backpack (as of September 2026). The Schenkenzell pilgrim hostel and the self-stamping station at the chapel are the affordable exceptions on a route otherwise dominated by guesthouses.

The all-inclusive package (six nights with breakfast, luggage transfer, map) starts at 440 euros for a double room, about 540 euros for a single room (as of September 2026). This means that a week in the Kinzigtal costs about the same as a week on the Camino in Spain with private accommodations—just without the flight.

Getting Here

To begin with: You can reach Loßburg by train via Freudenstadt or Horb (Gäubahn connection to Stuttgart). Those coming from the south can travel via Offenburg and the Kinzigtalbahn, which serves virtually all of the trail’s stopover towns—ideal for hikers doing the trail in stages as well.

About the goal: Strasbourg has a TGV station with long-distance service throughout France; to return to Germany, take the Kehl (the Rhine Valley Railway, along with the cross-border tram line D across the Rhine Bridge) and Offenburg or Karlsruhe.

• Track to the Start: bahn.de — Loßburg via Freudenstadt/Horb (Stuttgart Gäubahn)
• Kinzigtal Railway: Offenburg–Gengenbach–Haslach–Hausach–Wolfach–Alpirsbach–Freudenstadt — serves nearly all the stops along the route
• About the goal: Strasbourg (TGV) Station or Kehl Station; Tram D connects Strasbourg and Kehl across the Rhine
• Car: Depart from Loßburg via the B294; return conveniently via the Kinzigtalbahn