Jakobsweg Rothenburg–Rottenburg

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Rothenburg ob der Tauber (St. James' Church) → Rottenburg am Neckar (Market Square at St. Martin's Cathedral)
• Length: 200 km — Eastern route via Wernau: approx. 210 km
• Stages: 9 (12–32 km per day)
• Duration: 8–10 days
• Waymarking: A yellow beam of light on a blue background—the focal point indicates the direction; marks the direction toward Rottenburg only
• Landscape: Tauber Valley, Hohenlohe Plain, Swabian-Franconian Forest, Remstal, Neckar Valley
• Accommodation: inns and guesthouses instead of mass hostels — booking ahead is planning, not luxury
• Connection: from Rottenburg's market square, the Neckar-Baar-Jakobsweg and the continuation Rottenburg–Freiburg–Héricourt
• Character: moderately difficult — two challenging sections (32-km stage, 620 m of climbing), otherwise moderate; cultural density from the imperial city to the bishop’s seat

Overview

Two cities, two letters apart, 200 kilometers between them: The Jakobsweg Rothenburg–Rottenburg begins at St. James' Church in Germany's most famous half-timbered town—right where Tilman Riemenschneider's Holy Blood Altar from 1505 stands—and ends nine stages later at the market square of the episcopal city on the Neckar. In between lies a cross-section of southern Germany: the Hohenlohe Plain with the Tauber and Jagst valleys, the salt town Schwäbisch Hall, the Swabian-Franconian Forest with a Limes fort that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Remstal vineyards, and finally the Neckar Valley via Tübingen.

The trail was marked during the Year of St. James 2004 — and not by an association, but by the Jakobsweg-Team Winnenden, a community project from a town right in the middle of the route. The path thus emerged from its very center, not from one end. Rothenburg itself was never merely a stop along the way, but rather a junction of six routes and, thanks to the relic of the Holy Blood, a pilgrimage destination in its own right: You start at a place that was once a pilgrimage site—and continue on to where all paths lead.

Painted in 1466, carved in 1505, marked in 2004

There are no medieval documents detailing the route of this path—to be honest, and as route researchers themselves point out: “Ein Jakobusweg im süddeutschen Raum kann nie die Eindeutigkeit haben, wie das in Frankreich der Fall ist.” What we do have, however, is something more compelling than a customs register: a painting of a pilgrim. Friedrich Herlin's High Altar from 1466 in St. Jakob features the oldest known view of Rothenburg and rare scenes from the legend of St. James—including the panel “Das Mahl der Compostela-Pilger”. You won't get any closer to a medieval pilgrim than on this trail.

Forty years later, the second masterpiece was added: Tilman Riemenschneider's Altar of the Holy Blood, carved between 1500 and 1505, built around a rock crystal reliquary cross from around 1270. His Last Supper has a distinctive feature that gives one plenty to think about on the first day of the pilgrimage: The central figure is not Christ—it is Judas. The Pilgrimage of the Holy Blood made Rothenburg a destination, and the imperial city privileges of 1274 made it a hub; six routes of the Way of St. James still converge here today. Then came the turning point: Tilly in 1631, the plague in 1634—and, ironically, the stagnation that followed preserved the cityscape you’ll be leaving behind on your first morning.

The third date is the most recent and the most civic: 2004, during the Year of St. James, the Jakobsweg-Team Winnenden waymarked the route anew—guidebook, waymarking, support—all from a single location that is itself a stop along the route. No bishop, no ministry: just a team with a mailing address on Petristraße. No one here hides the fact that the route is a reconstruction and not a proven ancient road—even the dissenting opinion is documented, according to which medieval pilgrims tended to avoid significant elevation changes. The route responds to this pragmatically: with a painting from 1466, an altar from 1505, and signage that has pointed toward Santiago at short intervals since 2004.

Other Names

Officially, this trail is simply named after its endpoints: The Way of St. James from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Rottenburg am Neckar, abbreviated as “Rothenburg–Rottenburg,” occasionally Rothenburgweg. There is no fanciful name—and that’s the most honest description: two cities whose names differ by just two letters, connected by a road that does exactly what its name suggests. The risk of confusion is real: Rothenburg ob der Tauber is in Bavaria and is the half-timbered town; Rottenburg am Neckar is in Baden-Württemberg and is the episcopal city—mix them up, and you’ll end up 200 kilometers off course. And the route should not be confused with the Fränkisch-Schwäbischer Jakobsweg, which starts at the same church but turns toward Ulm.

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

This route is ideal if you want to walk from a picture-perfect old town to a bishopric in just over a week, without a plane ticket: well-marked, close to train lines, with inns instead of mass-market hostels, and a cultural richness that leaves hardly a kilometer unexplored — imperial city, salt town, the Limes, vineyards, university, cathedral. Since Rothenburg, Schrozberg, Murrhardt, Winnenden, Esslingen, and Tübingen all have train connections, this route also works well as a series of day hikes and weekend getaways.

To be honest, though, this isn't the route for you if you're looking for complete solitude: Between Winnenden and Esslingen, the trail runs through Stuttgart's affluent suburbs—roads, railroad tracks, and commercial areas. And anyone used to the distances of the Spanish stages should be aware of these two tough stretches: Stage 5 is 32 kilometers long, Stage 4 has around 620 meters of climbing — you plan for days like these in advance, not on the go. For those who care about a historically documented old route: This trail is a reconstruction from 2004 — the trail makes that clear, rather than hiding it.

Route & Landscape

We'll start in the heart of medieval Rothenburg—the market square and Jakobskirche have formed the center since the city was founded around 1170 — down into the Taubertal across the double bridge at Herrenmühle and up to the Hohenloher Ebene. Three days of Hohenlohe: vast open fields, the deep valleys of the Tauber and Jagst rivers, the castle at Langenburg high above the river — and then Schwäbisch Hall, where salt has been boiled from brine since Celtic times and where the steps of St. Michael's (1507) overlook half of the Old Town.

After that, the character changes: the path climbs into the Swabian-Franconian Forest — the most challenging passage, though quiet, with the Roman Limes Fort at Murrhardt from the UNESCO World Heritage Site right along the trail. After the long stretch through the forest to Winnenden, things turn urban: the Remstal vineyards around Weinstadt-Endersbach, the Neckar River near Esslingen, the Stuttgart foothills up to Neckartailfingen. The last two days are all about the Neckar Valley: off to Tübingen with the Stiftskirche and the Hölderlin Tower—and then just twelve easy kilometers downstream to the market square in Rottenburg, where the cathedral tower from 1486 stands.

Stages, Terrain, and Difficulty

The nine stages are rather unevenly distributed: 12 kilometers on the final day, 32 on Stage 5—an average of just over 22 per day. Technically, there are no difficult sections: field, forest, and riverside trails with the stretches of asphalt typical of southern Germany. Important to know: The yellow beam of light on a blue background marks only the direction toward Rottenburg — those who walk in reverse must navigate on their own. All stage distances are rounded — the total length of 200 km is the official figure.

1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber → Schrozberg — approx. 19 km — from the Old Town down into the Tauber Valley, across the double bridge at Herrenmühle, and up onto the Hohenlohe Plain.
2. Schrozberg → Langenburg — approx. 18 km — a short leg through the Hohenlohe countryside to the castle overlooking the Jagst.
3. Langenburg → Schwäbisch Hall — approx. 23 km — through the Jagst Valley to the "Salt City" with the grand staircase of St. Michael.
4. Schwäbisch Hall → Murrhardt — approx. 26 km — the most challenging leg: a climb of about 620 meters in elevation into the Swabian-Franconian Forest, crossing the Limes.
5. Murrhardt → Winnenden — about 32 km — the longest leg, through dense forests and secluded terrain, down into the Stuttgart foothills — and right into the heart of the town whose team created this route.
6. Winnenden → Esslingen am Neckar — approx. 21 km — via Weinstadt-Endersbach through the Remstal vineyards to the Neckar; the eastern route branches off here.
7. Esslingen → Neckartailfingen — approx. 23 km — along the Neckar River through Denkendorf; the outskirts of town give way to countryside again, and the routes converge.
8. Neckartailfingen → Tübingen — approx. 26 km — through the Neckar Valley to the university town with its collegiate church and Hölderlin Tower.
9. Tübingen → Rottenburg am Neckar — approx. 12 km — a gentle final day walking downstream to the market square in front of St. Martin’s Cathedral.

From Winnenden, there is an eastern variant via Wernau, which rejoins the main route in Neckartailfingen—adding about ten kilometers, bringing the total distance to approximately 210 kilometers. And for those who want to make these two stretches a bit easier: Both stages can be broken up thanks to train stations along the way.

Highlights Along the Way

• St. James Church, Rothenburg — Built 1311–1484, consecrated in 1485: both the starting point and the highlight.
• Riemenschneider's Altar of the Holy Blood — Carved around 1500–1505 around a rock crystal reliquary cross dating from about 1270; in the Last Supper scene, Judas is the central figure.
• Herlin's High Altar from 1466 — featuring the oldest view of Rothenburg and the panel titled “The Meal of the Compostela Pilgrims.”
• Pilgrim's Blessing at St. James — The visiting pastor administers it personally, before the first step.
• Langenburg Castle — high above the Jagst, where the Hohenlohe Plain drops off steeply.
• Schwäbisch Hall — A free imperial city since 1280, a saltworks from Celtic times until 1925, and the birthplace of the heller coin; today, plays are performed on the steps of St. Michael’s (1507).
• Comburg — a former Benedictine monastery above Hall, now a castle complex featuring the churches of St. Nicholas and St. Mary.
• The Limes near Murrhardt — You’ll cross the Upper German-Raetian Limes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: where Roman border posts once stood, you’ll head toward Santiago.
• Remstal Vineyards — the most pleasant stretch of the trail, around Weinstadt-Endersbach.
• Tübingen — University founded in 1477, collegiate church with a bell tower dating from 1411, and the Hölderlin Tower, where the poet spent the last 36 years of his life.
• Rottenburg am Neckar — the Roman town of Sumelocenna (around 98 A.D.), with a cathedral tower dating from 1486 and the seat of the bishopric since 1821 — and with the pilgrimage church in the Weggental valley, the route ends at a place of pilgrimage, not just an address.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

You didn't have to come up with Rothenburg as a starting point—it's a gathering place: six Ways of St. James converge here—from Würzburg, from Nuremberg, from Bamberg, to Ulm, to Speyer, and this very one via Schwäbisch Hall to the Neckar. Most pilgrims arriving on foot come via the Fränkisch-Schwäbischer Jakobsweg from Würzburg (since 1999, white shell on a blue background) or via the Jakobsweg Nürnberg–Ulm from Nuremberg — the 97-kilometer stretch to Rothenburg came into being after a local pastor noticed the chain of St. James patronages in his region in the early 1990s.

At St. Jakob, the decision is made: via the Ostalb to Ulm—or via Schwäbisch Hall into the Neckar Valley, that is, here. Those not traveling on foot can take the train (see “Getting Here”). And before setting out, it’s worth doing both: receiving the pilgrim’s blessing from the visiting pastor at St. Jakob and spending a quiet moment in the Franciscan Church, whose modern stained-glass windows depict the Canticle of the Sun by Francis of Assisi.

Continue the pilgrimage?

Nothing ends in Rottenburg—the next network of paths begins at the market square. Two connections matter: The Neckar-Baar-Jakobsweg, according to its operator's brochure, effectively starts here and takes you through Horb and the Baar region to Schaffhausen in Switzerland. And the continuation Rottenburg–Freiburg–Héricourt runs southwest through the Black Forest to Franche-Comté.

From either of these, the options open up wide: You can reach the Via Jacobi, the main route from Konstanz to Geneva; anyone who had set out from Ulm would have traveled via the Oberschwäbischer Jakobsweg to Lake Constance and ended up there as well. In the end, everything leads to the same road: the Camino Francés, the last 800 kilometers to Santiago. From Rottenburg, it’s a total of about 2,400 — but the 200 you’ve already covered count just as much.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time is April through October. In winter, the forest sections are passable on foot, but many inns are closed, and the blue sign is hard to read under the snow. There aren't as many hostels as in Spain: You'll mostly be staying in inns and guesthouses; genuine pilgrim lodgings are rare and small—making a reservation here is a matter of planning, not convenience.

You’ll want to have the Pilgrim's Passport (Credencial) with you from the start: parish offices, inns, and town halls are happy to stamp it, and the card serves as your proof when you apply for the Compostela later in Spain—order it online in advance. For the route, there’s a printed guidebook by the Winnenden Way of St. James team (Burkhardt/Florl) that includes lodging options, places to stop for refreshments, and short meditations.

Navigation: The route is marked in one direction only; the eastern route from Winnenden is easy to miss, and in the Stuttgart area, a blue sign quickly disappears behind a commercial fence. With the Camino Ninja App you'll be on the safe side—it has the entire route mapped out, including all the stages and accommodations; especially on the two tough stages, it's worth knowing in advance where you'll be spending the night.

What the journey will cost you

Expect 50 to 75 euros a day at inns and guesthouses with a hot meal (as of August 2026). Simple inns in the region charge around 20 to 26 euros per person, often with a packed lunch—which is worth more on the road than any star rating. There’s no upper limit: Rothenburg, Schwäbisch Hall, and Tübingen are tourist towns; there, it’s worth booking a place a few kilometers before or after the old town. You can save money in two ways: on food (bakeries, butchers, and village stores make it possible to have lunch for very little money) and on transportation—thanks to the train stations along the route, the journey can also be broken up into a series of day trips, the most affordable option for anyone living in southern Germany.

Getting Here

You can reach Rothenburg ob der Tauber by train via Steinach (the Würzburg–Ansbach–Nuremberg line), and from there by regional train to the town center. Major transportation hubs are Würzburg and Nuremberg; airports include Nuremberg, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. If you want to arrive on foot: Fränkisch-Schwäbischer Jakobsweg from Würzburg or Jakobsweg Nürnberg–Ulm from Nuremberg — both end at the church where this path begins.

From the finish in Rottenburg am Neckar, you can travel in all directions via Tübingen and Stuttgart; Stuttgart Airport is about an hour away. And if you're continuing your journey, you don't even need a train— Neckar-Baar-Jakobsweg and Rottenburg–Freiburg–Héricourt start right at the market square.

• Getting to the start: Train to Steinach (near Rothenburg), regional train to Rothenburg; Würzburg/Nuremberg transit hub.
• Joining or leaving along the way: Train stations in Schrozberg, Murrhardt, Winnenden, Esslingen, and Tübingen—ideal for walking sections.
• Return trip: Rottenburg → Tübingen → Stuttgart; Stuttgart Airport, about 1 hour.