Jakobsweg Oberfranken

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Hof → Nuremberg
• Length: 180.6 km
• Elevation gain:↗ 2,353 m / ↘ 2,527 m
• Highest point: about 697 m
• Duration: About 8–9 days on foot (estimated; described on site as nine stages of about 20 km each)
• Marking: European shell symbol
• Character: The modern Way of St. James along the historic Via Imperii, through the Franconian Forest, Franconian Switzerland, and the Nuremberg Region

Overview

The Upper Franconia Way of St. James runs from Hof through Helmbrechts, Marktschorgast, and Bayreuth to Nuremberg—about 181 kilometers through northern Bavaria. Its route follows the ancient trade and imperial road Via Imperii, which once ran from the Baltic Sea via Leipzig to Hof and on via Bayreuth to Nuremberg and all the way to the Adriatic Sea; today, it roughly corresponds to Federal Highway B 2.

The trail was officially opened on St. James’ Day, July 25, 2009, in Marktschorgast. It deliberately makes use of existing, well-signposted hiking trails and is marked throughout with the European scallop shell symbol—supported by no fewer than four hiking clubs and coordinated with the Franconian St. James Society.

To be honest, there isn’t an old, documented pilgrimage tradition here like there is in Spain or France. That’s why the organizers themselves prefer to refer to “St. James’s Paths” rather than “the Way of St. James.” The route, as they say, takes shape underfoot—when people set out on it with Santiago as their ultimate destination. In the Middle Ages, the Church of St. Jakob in Nuremberg served as a gathering place for pilgrims.

Other Names

• German: The Way of St. James in Upper Franconia, St. James' Way from Hof to Nuremberg
• English: Upper Franconian Way of St. James, Way of St. James Hof–Nuremberg

Locally, the terms “Way of St. James” and “Way of St. James from Hof via Bayreuth to Nuremberg” are deliberately used.

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

This is ideal if you're looking for a well-marked, easily accessible route along the Way of St. James in Germany, featuring a varied low-mountain landscape and cultural stops like Bayreuth and Nuremberg—and as a stop on a larger journey across Europe.

It’s not the best choice if you’re expecting a centuries-old pilgrimage tradition with a comprehensive network of lodging facilities like in Spain: The trail is relatively new, lodging options are limited in some places, and prices are on par with German standards.

Route & Landscape

The first section, from Hof to Bayreuth, winds through the scenic Franconian Forest; from the trail, the peaks of the neighboring Fichtelgebirge are often visible. Past Marktschorgast, the famous “Schiefe Ebene” (Inclined Plane) descends the steep slope of the Franconian Line into the Main Valley.

Passing through Bayreuth and Creußen, the trail reaches Franconian Switzerland with its castles, cliffs, and valleys—via Pegnitz, Betzenstein, and Gräfenberg. Finally, it leads through the Nürnberger Land region via Kalchreuth to Nuremberg. Just before Kalchreuth, it joins the St. James’ Way coming from Lichtenfels.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

On site, the route is described in nine stages of about 20 kilometers each—so that even groups can find places to stay overnight and have time to visit the stops:

• 1: Hof – Helmbrechts (21.5 km)
• 2: Helmbrechts – Marienweiher – Marktschorgast (23 km)
• 3: Marktschorgast – Bayreuth (24 km)
• 4: Bayreuth – Creußen (20 km)
• 5: Creußen – Lindenhardt – Pegnitz (23.5 km)
• 6: Pegnitz – Bronn – Betzenstein (16.5 km)
• 7: Betzenstein – Hiltpoltstein – Gräfenberg (17.5 km)
• 8: Gräfenberg – Igensdorf – Kalchreuth (20 km)
• 9: Kalchreuth – Nuremberg (17 km)

At just over 180 kilometers and with about 2,350 meters of elevation gain, the trail is moderately challenging—low mountain range terrain with steady ups and downs, and a highest point of about 697 meters. Fitness-conscious pilgrims can combine stages into 30- or 40-kilometer days, but should expect limited lodging options.

Trail Marking and Hiking Clubs—How the Trail Is Maintained

A unique feature of the trail is that it is maintained not by a single club, but by an association: From Hof to Bayreuth, the route is marked by the Frankenwaldverein (in collaboration with local clubs); from Bayreuth to the source of the Roter Main, by the Fichtelgebirgsverein; thereafter, by the Fränkische Schweiz-Verein; and, roughly from the border with Middle Franconia onward, by the Fränkische Albverein. All four have marked the Way of St. James with the European scallop shell symbol and incorporated it into their existing, well-signposted trail network. An additional hiking map or pilgrim’s guide is still recommended, however.

Highlights Along the Way

• Court – Gateway to the trail in the far northeast of Bavaria, near the Franconian Forest.
• Market Guest – Site of the trail’s dedication in 2009, featuring the “Inclined Plane” and the steep drop-off of the Franconian Line.
• Bayreuth – A city of festivals and margraves, a cultural hub halfway between two places.
• Franconian Switzerland – Castles, cliffs, and valleys between Pegnitz and Gräfenberg.
• Nuremberg – a historic pilgrimage hub featuring St. Jakob Church and a “Jakobsknoten” junction in the South German trail network.

Continue the pilgrimage?

Upper Franconia is not a final destination, but a place of transit. Coming from the northeast, the Sächsischer Jakobsweg which runs along the historic Via Imperii from Bautzen through Plauen to Hof—a distance of about 308 km. Pilgrims coming from northeastern Germany or Poland can seamlessly continue on the Upper Franconia Way of St. James in Hof toward Nuremberg.

In Nuremberg, the The Way of St. James: Nuremberg–Ulm to — just under 220 km through Franconia and the Swabian Alb to Ulm Cathedral. There, the The Upper Swabian Way of St. James on to Konstanz, where the Via Jacobi runs through Switzerland to Geneva. From Geneva, the Via Podiensis— one of the four historic Routes of St. James in France — and finally the The French Way to Santiago de Compostela. Anyone who walks the entire route from Hof to Santiago covers about 3,200 km.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time to visit is from spring through fall. The operator, jakobus-oberfranken.de, provides detailed stage descriptions and summaries for download; printed pilgrimage guides are also available in stores. Since the trail follows existing routes maintained by hiking clubs, it’s worth having an additional hiking map or hiking app. A pilgrim’s passport is useful for collecting stamps; pilgrim stamp stations are marked. Plan your overnight stays in advance—the network of accommodations is good, but sparse in some areas.

What the journey will cost you

Germany is more expensive than Spain. Roughly speaking, expect to spend €45–75 per day on lodging at guesthouses and inns, plus meals; basic accommodations and self-catering will lower your costs.

Getting There

The starting point is Hof, and the destination is Nuremberg—both are very well connected to the rail network. Anyone who wants to Sächsischer Jakobsweg If you're coming from Bautzen or Plauen, the route ends right at the Hof train station and continues seamlessly from there. If you're traveling to Nuremberg and taking the route in the opposite direction—or starting directly in Nuremberg—you'll find a direct connection at your destination to the The Way of St. James: Nuremberg–Ulm Toward Ulm and Lake Constance.

• Train to Hof: Deutsche Bahn– Connections and tickets.
• Return trip from Nuremberg: Deutsche Bahn– Connections from Nuremberg Central Station.