Himmelreich Jakobsweg

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Hüfingen (Baar) → Weil am Rhein (Three-Country Corner on the Rhine)
• Length: 173.8 km
• Stages: 8 — plus a variant of Stage 4 and the connecting route from Weil am Rhein to Basel (approx. 8 km)
• Duration: 8–9 days — “for EVERYONE” version: 16 stages, each 8–13 km long
• Highest point: Approx. 1,043 m in the Upper Black Forest; lowest point 225 m on the Rhine
• Waymarking: A yellow beam of light on a blue background, pointing only toward Santiago; additionally, a seashell and a wheelchair for the accessible versions
• Organisation: Friends of the Himmelreich-Jakobusweg Association — founded on July 25, 2009, on St. James' Day
• Connection: Feeder Neckar-Baar-Jakobsweg to Hüfingen; from Basel, the Baslerweg
• Best time: May through October—snow remains in the higher elevations until April

Overview

The Himmelreich-Jakobusweg consists of 8 stages and 173.8 kilometers by Hüfingen on the Baar River to Weil am Rhein to the Three-Country Corner—and experience two completely different landscapes in a single week: first the Upper Black Forest with Lake Titisee and the long descent through the Höllental, then Freiburg with its cathedral, and finally the warm vineyard slopes of the Markgräflerland. It takes its name from a hamlet at the mouth of this very "Höllental" (Hell Valley): Himmelreich, first mentioned in documents around 1300, along with St. James’ Chapel, which was already the final stop for Black Forest pilgrims before Freiburg as early as 1500. Heaven and Hell do indeed lie side by side here on the map—though there’s no documented evidence of the wordplay, you’ll have to visit both anyway.

What sets this trail apart from all the others is written on its signs: A Clam and a Wheelchair. The sponsoring association was founded on July 25, 2009 — on St. James’ Day — at Hofgut Himmelreich, a farm where people with and without disabilities work together. And the association has applied this principle to the route: The same roughly 170 kilometers are available as"For EVERYONE" version In 16 short stages ranging from 8 to 13 kilometers, tested by wheelchair users and their accompanying caregivers. No other German Way of St. James is so consistently designed to ensure that everyone can participate.

Founded on St. James' Day in 2009, blessed in 2010, tested for wheelchair accessibility in 2016

The history of this path does not begin with a document, but with a business model. The Hofgut Himmelreich — first mentioned around 1300, an inn from 1600 onward — became 2004 About the inclusive business: a restaurant, travel agency, and newsstand operated by a diverse team of people with and without intellectual disabilities; in 2006, the Integrative Vocational Academy was added, and in 2009, the project was named one of the “365 Places in the Land of Ideas.” In the same year, on July 25, 2009 — St. James' Day —, the Friends of the Himmelreich-Jakobusweg was founded here, explicitly as an interdenominational organization open to everyone. On July 11, 2010 This was followed by the dedication ceremony, which included an ecumenical blessing at St. James Chapel. The trail is thus named after a place where inclusion is part of everyday life—and subsequently extended that principle over 170 kilometers.

May 5, 2016, on Ascension Day, 23 club members set out on the inaugural tour of the new version: “Jakobusweg für ALLE, also auch für Teilnehmende, die auf den Rollstuhl angewiesen sind” In practical terms, this means: the same route in 16 stages instead of 8, 8 to 13 kilometers per day, and where the topography or surface slows down the wheelchair, the additional symbol indicates Muschel + Rollstuhl A tried-and-true route—tested by wheelchair users and their caregivers, with documented accessible dining options and restrooms at each stop. Other routes tout their authenticity. This one has been verified.

Part of the truth is also the honesty of the operator himself: The site is called “for (almost) ‘Everyone’,” the disclaimer states, “Über die Befahrbarkeit der Wege wird keine Gewähr übernommen” and traveling alone in a wheelchair is not part of the plan—a companion to push the wheelchair is provided. The historical findings are just as honest: The route was 2009/2010 has been redrawn; there is no medieval document describing the route. Historically, the Jakobuskapelle — founded before 1500, first mentioned in documents since 1590, documented as the final stop for pilgrims on the Way of St. James from the Swabian and Bavarian regions before reaching Freiburg, 1963 made way for the expansion of the B31 and 1986 Rebuilt under the supervision of the historic preservation office in the estate’s garden; inside are a statue of St. James from around 1580 and a Pietà from around 1480. The chapel is authentic, the design is new—and the path makes no secret of either fact.

Other Names

The sponsoring association consistently charts its course Himmelreich-Jakobusweg, with a "u" — that's how it appears on every sign, in every brochure, and in the club's name. Next to it is the abbreviated form Himmelreich Jakobsweg common, and tourism websites often shorten it to Himmelreich-Weg; this always refers to the same route from Hüfingen to Weil am Rhein. The name does not come from a metaphor involving the sky, but from a place: Himmelreich, a hamlet of Buchenbach in the Dreisam Valley, a farmstead since the Middle Ages, home to a chapel and a club—and, as it happens, located right at the mouth of the Höllentals located. There's a second term you should know, because it's more than just marketing:“Himmelreich-Jakobusweg für ALLE” — not a different route, but the same route divided into 16 short stages instead of eight long ones—the accessible version. And one more distinction: Some sources calculate the route up to Basel and total 176 kilometers—that’s the trail plus the club’s separate connecting route. The trail itself ends in Weil am Rhein.

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

Ideal if you want the full pilgrimage experience but have limited time: eight days, a clear beginning, a clear end on the Rhine—and in between, a complete transition from the Upper Black Forest, over 1,000 meters above sea level, down to the vineyards at 225. It’s also ideal if you can’t walk the entire route in one go: The Höllentalbahn accompanies stages 2 through 4, and with the KONUS-Gästekarte From your lodging, you can take the bus and train for free—you can break this journey up over the weekend without spending a cent on the return trip. And it’s the right route if you’re in a wheelchair, using a walker, or walking with someone who is: No other German Way of St. James is so consistently designed to ensure that everyone can join in.

To be honest, though, this isn’t for you if you’re looking for solitude and the charm of traditional pilgrim hostels: There are practically no classic pilgrim hostels here; you’ll be staying at inns, bed-and-breakfasts, and vacation rentals, and according to the association, you should make reservations well in advance “in all municipalities.” It’s also not for you if traffic noise disturbs your peace: Between Titisee-Neustadt and Freiburg, the route runs within earshot of the B31 in some sections—one pilgrim’s account simply calls the stretch to Neustadt “besonders unangenehm” And for those expecting a time-honored medieval pilgrimage route: This route dates from 2009–2010. The chapel is historic; the line on the map is not.

Route & Landscape

The trail begins in Hüfingen on the Breg River, near the parish church of St. Verena and Gallus—just a stone's throw from the ruins of a 1st-century Roman bath. The first two stages are part of the Baar, the vast plateau between the Black Forest and the Danube: Bräunlingen, Lake Kirnberg at 793 meters, Löffingen. From Titisee-Neustadt The landscape changes dramatically: the Upper Black Forest, Lake Titisee, Hinterzarten, and Breitnau, the highest point at about 1,043 meters—and then the most spectacular section of the trail, the descent through the Höllental: a descent of about 800 meters through the gorge, at the end of which stands the St. James Chapel of Himmelreich stands.

Starting at the Dreisamtal, everything changes a second time. Via Kirchzarten, you'll reach Freiburg and you'll find yourself in front of the cathedral; here, the path turns from east-west to north-south. What follows is Markgräflerland: Vineyards on the Batzenberg, orchards, loess soils, and warm air. Past Kirchhofen, Sulzburg From the monastery church of St. Cyriak in Müllheim and Blansingen, consecrated in 993, the path descends step by step toward the Rhine Valley until it reaches Weil am Rhein reached the tri-border area at 225 meters. Two completely different regions in one week: fir trees and high moors at the beginning, vineyards and views of the Vosges at the end.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

The association divides the route into eight stages, plus a signposted alternative route for the fourth stage and the connecting route to Basel. The daily distances range from about 16 to 26 kilometers—a challenging average, especially since Stage 3 includes the ascent to Hinterzarten and the descent through the Höllental in a single day; in total, you’ll climb about 2,000 meters and descend about 2,400 meters. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, take the 16 short stages of the"For EVERYONE" version 8 to 13 kilometers per day—the same route, just divided into twice as many segments. The distances listed for each stage are rounded; the total length of 173.8 km is the official figure.

1. Hüfingen → Löffingen — approx. 20 km — via Bräunlingen and Lake Kirnberg to the Baar Plateau, with a place to swim after ten kilometers.
2. Löffingen → Titisee-Neustadt — approx. 16 km — the shortest leg, through Wiesental and the forest into the Upper Black Forest.
3. Titisee-Neustadt → Himmelreich — approx. 26 km — the longest and toughest: past Lake Titisee, through Hinterzarten and Breitnau, then down a steep descent through the Höllental valley.
4. Himmelreich → Freiburg — approx. 19 km — through the Dreisam Valley via Kirchzarten to Münster; a signposted alternative route goes via Lindenberg instead.
5. Freiburg → Kirchhofen — about 20 km — out of the city into the Batzenberg vineyard belt; from here, the route heads south.
6. Kirchhofen → Müllheim — approx. 26 km — via Sulzburg, home to St. Cyriak, built in 993, the oldest church along the entire route.
7. Müllheim → Blansingen — approx. 24 km — Markgräfler vineyards, orchards, and village churches, with views of the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine Valley.
8. Blansingen → Weil am Rhein — about 22 km — via Efringen-Kirchen, down to the Rhine in the Three-Country Corner.

Optionally connected: Weil am Rhein → Basel, about 8 km — the route marked by the association that crosses the border to Basel Cathedral. It is no longer part of the trail, but for anyone continuing their pilgrimage, it serves as a seamless transition into Switzerland.

Highlights Along the Way

• Roman Bath Ruins in Hüfingen — a bath dating from the 1st century A.D., located right next to the parish church of St. Verena and Gallus at the starting point.
• Kirnbergsee — After ten kilometers, the first lake along the trail, at 793 meters, with a swimming area.
• Titisee and Hinterzarten — the picture-perfect High Black Forest on Stage 3, along with the St. Oswald Chapel in the Löffeltal valley.
• Höllental — the big descent: a drop of about 800 meters through the gorge, at the end of which the trail gets its name.
• St. James Chapel in Himmelreich — built before 1500, first mentioned in a document in 1590, demolished in 1963 to make way for the B31 expansion, and rebuilt in the estate’s garden in 1986; Inside are a statue of St. James from around 1580 and a Pietà by a master from the Upper Rhine region from around 1480 (copies—the originals are on display at the Augustinermuseum in Freiburg).
• Freiburg Cathedral — Stage Four and the big city highlight of the journey.
• St. Cyriak in Sulzburg — Built around 990, consecrated in 993, and endowed by Count Birchtilo by deed dated June 22, 993; the west tower, dating from 1103, is considered the oldest surviving church tower in southwestern Germany.
• Markgräfler Vineyards — from Kirchhofen to Blansingen, winding through vineyards and orchards, with views of the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine Valley.
• The Three-Country Corner near Weil am Rhein — The destination: the Rhine, the border, and the view toward France and Switzerland.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

The classic approach is from the east: At Hüfingen The Himmelreich-Jakobusweg branches off from the Neckar-Baar-Jakobsweg...which leads from Rottenburg via Horb and the Baar River—if you start from there, simply follow the new signs in Hüfingen and keep going without taking off your backpack. From the Lake Constance region and the Swabian Alb, the Hegauer Jakobsweg through the volcanic landscape of the Hegau and the Beuroner Jakobsweg through the Danube Valley, within reach of the Baar; the railroad takes over for the final stretch to Hüfingen.

There is a second, convenient access point from the north: The Badische Jakobsweg runs down the Rhine Valley to Breisach and skirts the Freiburg area—anyone who has walked it will find themselves in Freiburg and continues with the second half through the Markgräflerland region. And for those who aren’t traveling as pilgrims: Hüfingen is located at the Donaueschingen rail hub, which can be reached in a single day from almost anywhere in Germany. In any case, the call to action on the organizers’ websites applies: Ultreia!

Continue the pilgrimage?

In Weil am Rhein, the path ends, but the journey does not. The association has the Route to Basel Signposted: about eight kilometers across the border to Basel Cathedral. There, the Baslerweg — 112.8 kilometers from Basel to Bern via the Passwang —, and you'll actually come across it even before that, at Aesch in the Basel region. Anyone who wants to travel further east into Switzerland instead of going through Basel will find that the Schaffhauser-Zürcher Weg the alternative route via Schaffhausen and Zurich.

From Bern onward, the Via Jacobi and takes you all the way across Switzerland to Geneva, where the Via Gebennensis continues the route to Le Puy-en-Velay — and from there, the classic route runs through France to the Camino Francés. The operator puts it simply: From Basel, the route continues to France or across Lake Biel into French-speaking Switzerland. In other words: Your 173.8 kilometers in the Black Forest are the first section of a route that runs continuously all the way to Santiago.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time is between May and October: The Upper Black Forest around Hinterzarten is over 1,000 meters high and holds snow well into April, while the Markgräflerland gets really hot in midsummer—May, June, and September are the best months that make both regions comfortable. You’ll especially need sturdy shoes for Stage 3: The descent through the Höllental is steep and slippery when wet. And regarding accommodations, the association offers this practical advice: book early in all towns—traditional pilgrim hostels are the exception here.

Two things make planning easier here than elsewhere. First, the train: The Höllentalbahn stops in Titisee, Hinterzarten, Himmelreich, and Kirchzarten, plus the Rhine Valley route and Donaueschingen—almost every stage can be split up or tackled from your base. Second, the KONUS-Gästekarte: Overnight guests in about 150 towns in the Black Forest receive it free of charge and can use it to ride buses and trains for free between Pforzheim and Basel, including Freiburg’s streetcars. Traveling to and from the stage this way costs: nothing.

That Pilgrim's Passport (Credencial) You can register online in advance—stamps are available in Hüfingen, Titisee-Neustadt, Himmelreich, Ehrenkirchen, and Bellingen-Bamlach, among other places. The association also publishes its own pilgrim guide, now in its 6th revised edition, with detailed descriptions of each stage. The trail marker—the yellow beam of light, with its focal point indicating the direction—runs only toward Santiago. With the Camino Ninja App You're in good hands—it has the entire route on board, and you can put together your own itinerary and plan suitable accommodations right away.

What the journey will cost you

Plan on a daily budget of 60 to 90 euros, if you're staying in a double room and have one hot meal a day (as of August 2026). Inns and guesthouses in the Black Forest and Markgräflerland usually cost 45 to 80 euros per person, Vacation rentals become more affordable for stays of two nights or more, but genuine pilgrim lodgings at a nominal fee are only available in certain places. On top of that, resort towns charge a visitor’s tax of about 2 to 4 euros per night—but you’re not paying that for nothing, because it gets you the KONUS guest card, which offers free travel on buses and trains. That’s exactly where the savings potential lies: Since the train runs along the route and the guest card covers the rides, you can stay two or three nights in the same place and hike the stages in a radial pattern—this brings the average cost significantly below that of a classic long-distance hiking trail. You’ll also receive a one-time pilgrim ID and the association’s pilgrim guide.

Getting Here

To start with: Hüfingen is located right next to Donaueschingen, and Donaueschingen is a rail hub—the Black Forest Railway from Offenburg and Konstanz, plus the lines toward Villingen, Rottweil, and Ulm. From the train station, it’s just a few minutes by regional bus to the parish church in Hüfingen; Hüfingen also has its own stop on the Bregtal line. For those arriving on a pilgrimage—via the Neckar-Baar-Jakobsweg, the Hegauer Jakobsweg or the Beuroner Jakobsweg —, just needs the next shell anyway.

From the finish line back: Weil am Rhein is located along the Rhine Valley Railway and is directly connected by S-Bahn to Basel connected—long-distance trains depart from there for Germany, France, and Switzerland, and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is just a short bus ride away. Those who continue their pilgrimage walk the eight kilometers to Basel and stand at the cathedral on the Baslerweg.

• Getting to the starting point: Take the train to Donaueschingen (Schwarzwaldbahn), then a regional bus or the Bregtalbahn to Hüfingen.
• Getting on/off while the vehicle is moving: Höllentalbahn (Titisee, Hinterzarten, Himmelreich, Kirchzarten) and Rheintalbahn — free with the KONUS visitor card.
• Return trip: From Weil am Rhein to Basel by S-Bahn; long-distance trains depart from Basel; see [bahn.de](https://www.bahn.de) and [sbb.ch](https://www.sbb.ch) for schedules.
• Flight: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (near the destination), Stuttgart, or Zurich (near the departure point).