Oberschwäbischer Jakobsweg

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Ulm → Konstanz
• Length: 167.6 km
• The stage: 10 official stages (Upper Swabia Tourism)
• Elevation gain:↗ 2,232 m / ↘ 2,311 m
• Highest point: about 661 m
• Duration: about 8–10 days
• Character: A gentle, well-marked trail through Baroque Upper Swabia to Lake Constance

Overview

The The Upper Swabian Way of St. James leads from Münsterplatz to Ulm along the Danube for 167.6 kilometers through western Upper Swabia to the Konstanz Cathedral on Lake Constance. It follows ancient Roman roads and historic trade routes, winding through a landscape that is more strongly influenced by the Baroque style than almost any other region in Germany.

From Konstanz, the trail continues as the Schwabenweg into Switzerland, where it then becomes the Via Jacobi all the way to Geneva. Those who wish can view the Ulm–Konstanz route as the southern German starting point of a long journey westward—and from Geneva, they can continue on the Via Turonensis or Via Gebennensis continue the pilgrimage all the way to Santiago.

Other Names

English: Upper Swabian Way of St. James

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

Ideal for anyone looking for a peaceful, easily accessible pilgrimage route through southern Germany: featuring Baroque churches, Upper Swabian towns, and Lake Constance as the grand finale. The elevation gain is moderate, and the stages are easy to plan—making this route perfectly suited as a first pilgrimage experience or as a short pilgrimage lasting a good week.

Not the best choice if you’re looking for high mountains or vast, desolate wilderness: The trail winds through cultivated landscapes, fields, and villages, and includes some paved sections. Those interested in wilderness and silence won’t find what they’re looking for here—but they’ll find churches, monasteries, and history around every other bend.

Route & Landscape

From Ulm The trail initially follows the Danube along Erbach and Oberdischingen, then following the course of the Riß River across Biberach on the Riß and the pilgrimage church Steinhausen according to Bad Waldsee. The route continues along the Schussen River through Weingarten and Ravensburg until Brochenzell, where the path forks.

The western route—the standard route—leads through Markdorf to Meersburg on Lake Constance; from there, you cross the lake by ferry to Konstanz. The landscape changes from the flat Danube plain through rolling hills and moorland meadows to the shores of Lake Constance: green, peaceful, and rich in religious architecture.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

At 167.6 kilometers and with an elevation gain of about 2,200 meters, the Upper Swabian Way of St. James is mostly gentle—not a technically challenging mountain trail, but a leisurely pilgrimage route through the cultural landscape. It is marked with a yellow scallop shell on a blue background. The 10 official stages (Upper Swabia Tourism):

1. Ulm → Oberdischingen – 21.3 km
2. Oberdischingen → Äpfingen – 22.9 km
3. Äpfingen → Biberach an der Riß – 13.0 km
4. Biberach an der Riß → Steinhausen – 12.6 km
5. Steinhausen → Bad Waldsee – 23.1 km
6. Bad Waldsee → Weingarten – 19.2 km
7. Weingarten → Ravensburg – 6.0 km
8. Ravensburg → Brochenzell – 12.9 km
9. Brochenzell → Markdorf – 15.0 km
10. Markdorf → Konstanz – 12.2 km + ferry (Meersburg–Konstanz)

You don't cross Lake Constance on foot, but by ferry: A car ferry runs year-round from Meersburg to Konstanz (about a 15-minute crossing). From April through October, there is also a passenger ferry service.

In the Heavenly Realm of the Baroque

Upper Swabia is known as the “Baroque Paradise”—and the Way of St. James runs right through the heart of it. Hardly any other route in Germany brings together so many Baroque churches, pilgrimage sites, and monasteries in such a small area. In some places, the route coincides with the Upper Swabian Baroque Route.

This is no coincidence: Upper Swabia was an important pilgrimage region in the Middle Ages, and in the 15th century, the Dominican friar Felix Fabri described the stages from Ulm to Lake Constance as part of his pilgrimages. Anyone walking this route today is literally following in historical footsteps—and will find not only beauty in the churches along the way, but also stamps for their pilgrim’s passport.

Highlights Along the Way

• Ulm Minster – Starting point featuring the world’s tallest church tower (161 m); in the Middle Ages, a central gathering place for pilgrims from the north.
• Steinhausen Pilgrimage Church – one of the most beautiful Baroque village churches in Germany; you can’t miss it along the way.
• Bad Waldsee – A spa town with a historic center; a good place to stop after the longest stage.
• Weingarten Basilica – an imposing Baroque building; next to it stands a metal milestone indicating the distance remaining to Santiago: 2,400 km.
• Ravensburg – Medieval towers and gates, full of life and easy to explore on foot.
• Meersburg & Ferry – the old town on the lakeshore, followed by the ferry ride to Konstanz as a unique way to wrap up the stage.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

The large influx is coming from Franconia: The The Way of St. James: Nuremberg–Ulm ends at Ulm Minster—exactly where the Upper Swabian region begins. Those who start even further east will reach the same route via Bohemia and the Upper Palatinate.

In Konstanz, the trail leads to the Via Jacobi– The main Swiss route takes you through Einsiedeln to Geneva and on to the Via Gebennensis.

Continue the pilgrimage?

The Upper Swabian Way of St. James ends at the Constance Cathedral. From there, the Schwabenweg continues through eastern Switzerland, past Einsiedeln Abbey, and joins the Via Jacobi—the main Swiss route from Constance to Geneva. From Geneva, you can continue your pilgrimage to Santiago via the Via Gebennensis or the Via Turonensis. If you consider Ulm–Konstanz to be the first leg of the journey, the entire pilgrimage route from southern Germany to Santiago lies ahead of you.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time to travel is from spring through fall. The trail is well-marked and can be walked without prior experience. The Upper Swabian Way of St. James is supported by the Haus St. Jakobus Foundation – Swabian St. James Society (haus-st-jakobus.de), which also publishes a pilgrimage map. Along the route, a team of trail volunteers regularly maintains the signage and trail markings.

Stamp for the pilgrim's passport (Credencial) You can pick one up at many churches along the way, including at the entrance to Ulm Minster, at the Protestant St. James Church in Grimmelfingen, at St. Martinus Church in Erbach, and at the St. James Cursillo House in Oberdischingen. It’s best to get your pilgrim’s passport in advance, for example through the German Pilgrimage Association.

You’ll spend the night in guesthouses, inns, and occasionally pilgrim lodgings. True pilgrim hostels with dorm-style accommodations are less common on this route than on the Spanish routes. The easiest way to plan your stages and find suitable accommodations is directly in the Camino Ninja app.

What the journey will cost you

Germany is more expensive than Spain. For lodging in guesthouses and inns, expect to pay roughly €50–90 per night; if you specifically look for more affordable pilgrim accommodations, you can significantly reduce your costs. On top of that, there are meals and other small expenses.

Meersburg–Konstanz Ferry: Pedestrians pay €4.30 (one-way) or €8.10 (round trip). Tickets are available at the ticket counter at the harbor (9 a.m.–7 p.m.) or directly on board. Payment can be made in cash or by card. (As of April 2026)

Getting There

Ulm is a major rail hub and can be reached directly from all over Germany. After completing the pilgrimage in Constance There are also good train connections back—including routes via Zurich or Stuttgart.

• Getting to Ulm: Deutsche Bahn for connections and tickets.
• Return trip from Konstanz: Deutsche Bahn for connections from Konstanz.