Elisabethpfad 1 (Frankfurt – Marburg)

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Frankfurt → Marburg
• Length: 135.9 km
• Duration: about 6–7 days on foot
• Marking: bright red pilgrim's badge
• Character: A low-mountain trail through the Taunus and Lahnbergland regions to the Tomb of St. Elizabeth

Overview

The Elisabeth Trail 1 is the southernmost of the three Elisabeth Trails and leads from Frankfurt to Marburg, to the tomb of St. Elizabeth in St. Elizabeth’s Church. Like all the Elisabeth Trails, it has this tomb as its destination—much like Santiago de Compostela is the destination of the Way of St. James.

The trail was established beginning in 2000 by the Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau, building on an older hiking trail between Marburg and Altenberg Abbey (1994). This marked the creation of the first church-sponsored pilgrimage route in Germany—a deliberate statement that pilgrimages and religious journeys are also part of Protestant piety.

Who This Route Is Ideal For—and Who It's Not

Ideal if you're looking for a quiet, easily accessible pilgrimage route through Central Hesse—with a spiritual connection to Saint Elizabeth and a varied low-mountain landscape. It takes about a week to complete.

Not the best choice if you’re expecting a well-developed pilgrimage infrastructure like the one in Spain: You’ll be staying in guesthouses, inns, and with local residents. Some trail markers may be missing in the woods—a pilgrimage guide or map is helpful.

Route & Landscape

The trail begins in Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen at the Church of the Teutonic Order—the Teutonic Order was closely associated with the veneration of St. Elizabeth from the very beginning. Passing through the city and via Oberursel, the trail climbs to the Taunus ridge and leads through Hessenpark and Usingen into the hilly countryside.

Passing through Brandoberndorf and Cleeberg, the trail reaches Wetzlar on the Lahn and the Altenberg Monastery. Continuing on via Hermannstein, the Biebertal Valley, and the Celtic Dünsberg, it winds through the Lahnberg region to Marburg and the Elisabethkirche.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

Officially, the route is divided into eight sections (Frankfurt–Oberursel–Usingen–Cleeberg–Wetzlar–Hermannstein–Fellingshausen–Damm–Marburg). The terrain is low-mountainous, with the climb over the Taunus Ridge being the most challenging part; the rest of the route is gentler, winding through woods and fields. The trail is marked with the red pilgrim symbol. In forested sections, be aware of parallel hiking trails—a map can help if you’re unsure.

Saint Elizabeth—the destination of the journey

All three Elisabeth Trails share the same destination: the tomb of Saint Elizabeth in the Church of Saint Elizabeth in Marburg, one of Germany’s first purely Gothic churches. Elisabeth of Thuringia (1207–1231) renounced power and honor as a princess and dedicated her life to the poor and the sick—her story of faith is the unifying theme of the trail.

• Plane in Marburg Time to visit St. Elizabeth's Church and the Upper Town.
• The start at the Church of the Teutonic Order deliberately choose Frankfurt as the starting point.
• Be sure to bring a map of the Taunus stages or a pilgrim's guide.

Highlights Along the Way

• Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen – Church of the Teutonic Order, starting point of the trail.
• Taunus – A low mountain range with forests and Hessenpark.
• Wetzlar – an old imperial city with a cathedral on the Lahn River.
• Altenberg Monastery – a former Premonstratensian convent overlooking the Lahn.
• Dünsberg – Celtic keep with a sweeping view.
• Marburg – St. Elizabeth's Church, with the tomb of St. Elizabeth.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

Frankfurt is accessible by train and plane from any direction—you can start right in the Old Town. The Elisabethpfade are a group of three trails that all lead to the same destination: In addition to this one, the Elisabeth Trail 2 (Eisenach – Marburg) and the Elisabeth Trail 3 (Cologne – Marburg) to Marburg.

All three routes end at the tomb of St. Elizabeth—and can be combined: take one route there and another back. This turns the pilgrimage route into a grand loop through Hesse.

Continue the pilgrimage?

All three Elisabeth Trails converge in Marburg—this is where the journey ends. Those who wish to continue can connect to the European Way of St. James network via the trails also marked as part of the Way of St. James: Elisabeth Trail 2 (toward Eisenach) and Elisabeth Trail 3 (toward Cologne).

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time to visit is from spring through fall. Accommodations include guesthouses, inns, and pilgrim lodgings—it’s a good idea to have a pilgrim’s passport to collect stamps. The association publishes its own pilgrim guide with hiking maps.

What the journey will cost you

Germany is more expensive than Spain. Roughly speaking, budget €45–75 per day for lodging and meals; simple accommodations and self-catering will help keep costs down.

Getting There

The starting point is Frankfurt, an international transportation hub.

• Getting to Frankfurt: Airport and long-distance rail service. Deutsche Bahn– Connections and tickets.
• Return trip from Marburg: Marburg is located along the Main-Weser Railway. Deutsche Bahn– Connections from Marburg.