Place to visit
Camino de Santiago, Germany: what it is and when to go
A German branch of the Way of St James crossing the Lüneburg Heath from north to south. This variant links Soltau with Celle through villages of half-timbered houses, pine woods and old convents. It's walked on flat, sandy ground, almost always off-road. The best time to visit is April to October. In June there are 16 h 36 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 23. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain · Hiking
- Local name
- Jakobusweg - Lüneburger Heide - Path 2
- Where
- Germany
- Best time
- April to October.
- Nearest airport
- HAM Hamburg, 94 km as the crow flies
- Website
- jakobusweg-regioncelle.de
- Trail network
- National
- Coordinates
- 52.78298, 9.91442
What you will see here
- Celle's half-timbered old town and its castle
- Wienhausen Convent, with its painted choir
- The heaths and flocks of black-faced sheep between Bergen and Hermannsburg
- Village churches with the pilgrim shell on the door
This isn't the Spanish Camino: there are hardly any pilgrim hostels, so book a bed in advance on the rural stages.
What it is and where
Camino de Santiago is a Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain (Jakobusweg - Lüneburger Heide - Path 2) in Germany (Hanover).
Path 1: Hittfeld - Wilsede - Schneverdingen - Soltau - Bad Fallingbostel - Ahlden - Schwarmstedt - Mandelsloh - Mariensee / Path 2: Soltau - Wietzendorf - Bergen - Hermannsburg - Eschede - Wienhausen - Celle - Winsen - Wieckenberg - Hope - Mandelsloh
It is in Hanover, where this site lists 95 more places to see, 48 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are 52.78298, 9.91442; the nearest main airport is Hamburg Helmut Schmidt Airport (HAM, Hamburg), 94 km as the crow flies. How to get around Germany (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Trail network
- National
It is one of the Hiking places in Germany. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Camino de Santiago is April to October.
The heather blooms lilac at the end of summer, when most walkers come. In winter few places to stay are open in the small villages.
- JanPossible7:53
- FebPossible9:35
- MarPossible11:30
- AprBest time13:41
- MayBest time15:33
- JunBest time16:36
- JulBest time16:10
- AugBest time14:31
- SepBest time12:23
- OctBest time10:17
- NovPossible8:22
- DecPossible7:23
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 16 h 36 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 23. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to Germany in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Germany
To enter Germany there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid ID card (DNI) or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Germany checklist. Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz; emergencies: 112 · 110 police.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Schloss BredebeckCastle1.7 km
- Roman wayPilgrims' way3.0 km
- Heimatmuseum RömstedthausMuseum in Bergen, Lower Saxony, Germany4.3 km
- GoosemoorNature reserve in Lower Saxony, Germany7.6 km
- FalkenbergHighest point of Lüneburg Heath, Germany7.6 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Germany guide.
More in Germany: Hiking
- Camino de Santiago: Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- E3 European long distance path: walking path
- E9 European long distance path: walking path, Europe
- E1 European long distance path: walking path
- Via Alpina: hiking route across the Alps from Trieste to Monaco
- Dreisesselberg
Every Germany place under Hiking, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Camino de Santiago?
It is a Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain (Jakobusweg - Lüneburger Heide - Path 2 in the local language) in Germany.
When is the best time to visit Camino de Santiago?
April to October. In June there are 16 h 36 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 23.
How do you get to Camino de Santiago?
The nearest main airport is Hamburg Helmut Schmidt Airport (HAM), 94 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Germany is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Germany map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Schloss Bredebeck, Roman way, Heimatmuseum Römstedthaus. The rest is in the Germany guide.
Keep reading
- Hanover95 places to see in and around Hanover, Germany: Herrenhausen Gardens, New Town Hall, Baitus Sami Mosque. Best time: April to October.
- Hiking4887 places for hiking in Germany, from Camino de Santiago to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to October. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- GermanyBefore travelling to Germany: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For Spanish citizens, entry only takes an ID card (DNI).
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Camino de Santiago on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.