PEACEWALK 2026 · Cultural Route Candidacy ·
App launch · The path grows step by step
JERUSALEM WAY
Review 2025 & Outlook 2026
Dear peace pilgrims,
2025 was an intense and moving year for the JERUSALEM WAY – marked by pilgrimages, encounters, peace work, and important international milestones. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who walks this path, supports it, and helps shape it.
2025 REVIEW / HIGHLIGHTS
Opening of the JERUSALEM WAY Amsterdam
A significant milestone: "From Dam Square in Amsterdam to Cologne Cathedral – and on to Jerusalem".
The opening was attended by numerous pilgrims from several countries. The founder of the JERUSALEM WAY was personally present, along with Walter van der Wolf (hikeronline.nl) as well as Rikko Voorberg (peacewalk.info), initiator of the international PeaceWalk and also JERUSALEM WAY contact person for the Netherlands, thus took another important step towards Western European integration.
➡️ Photos & report: Open article
➡️ Route & Information: Netherlands open
Jordan – AL-QUDS WAY
In spring 2025, the entire route in Jordan (approx. 220 km) from the Syrian border to the Dead Sea was hiked and marked by Alex/FR, Slawek/PL and Johannes/AT. The focus was on maintaining and further developing the route, expanding local contacts and strengthening infrastructure and partnerships.
➡️ Videos & photos of Jordan: Video / Photos I / Photos II
Galicia (Spain)
In June 2025, the JERUSALEM WAY was marked from Finisterre beyond Santiago for the first approximately 150 kilometers – an important step towards strengthening the west-east axis of the Peace Way and making its western beginning visible.
➡️ Impressions from the marking: Open photos
Peace March & Peace Dove (June 28, 2025)
A cross-municipal pilgrimage day between Schwertberg, Naarn, and Arbing, themed "Pilgrims of Hope," attracted 150-200 pilgrims from five nations. Children, teenagers, families, and retirees participated. Along the route, trained pilgrimage guides offered spiritual and awareness-raising insights.
Ceremonial unveiling of the JERUSALEM WAY peace dove on June 28, 2025 in 4341 Arbing (AT), the founding place of the Jerusalem Way – a visible sign of peace and unity.
➡️ Media reports & images: Open here
Guided pilgrimage tour Balkans
A 16-day pilgrimage along the JERUSALEM WAY with 21 participants through Hungary, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. Impressions and multimedia presentations were shown at the Christmas celebration (Hannes Tinschert).
➡️ Impressions: Open photos
Cultural route of the Council of Europe candidacy
JERUSALEM WAY is an official candidate for certification as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. In October 2025, the JERUSALEM WAY was presented at the Annual Advisory Forum of Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Cappadocia (Turkey) and introduced internationally – both as a candidate route and as a peace and cultural project within a European context.
➡️ Presentation Türkiye: Open video
➡️ Press Release: Open article
Science & Theology in Dialogue 2025
The JERUSALEM WAY was also present on a scientific and theological level in 2025.
The JERUSALEM WAY was first presented at the international scientific pilgrimage conference in Donauwörth (September 11–13.09.2025).
➡️ Document: Open PDF
➡️ Ecumenical Symposium (Vienna): open link
LEADER project
The LEADER project "Professionalization of the JERUSALEM WAY in the founding region" was unanimously approved in 2025 and includes, among other things, signage, information boards, solar benches, app and website relaunch.
➡️ LEADER Articles: Open report
OUTLOOK 2026
NEW: METER SPONSORSHIP
Symbolic Peace Meter
From 2026 onwards, it will be possible for the first time to become a sponsor of the JERUSALEM WAY – starting from just 1 Euro. One euro represents one symbolic meter of peace.
With your sponsorship, you will become part of the world's longest peace trail – a trail that stretches over 8.500 kilometers through 19 countries and connects people across borders, cultures and religions.
Your contribution strengthens the marking and maintenance of the route, promotes international cooperation, enables educational and peace projects and supports pilgrims on their long journey to Jerusalem – also through digitization and networking.
Every meter represents hope. One meter. One symbol. One common path for the human family.
Peacewalk 2026 – together from Europe to Jerusalem
An international peace march across Europe for peace, dialogue, and connection. Learning about peace on the JERUSALEM WAY, the longest peace trail in the world.
• Kick-off was on January 31, 2026 in Finisterre/ES
➡️ Open press article | Open video
• Other starting points: Amsterdam/NL (25.04.2026), Eupen/BE (08.05.2026), Cologne/DE (14.05.2026), Berlin/DE (18.05.2026)
• Main meeting point: Linz/AT (July 25, 2026)
Here the routes from Spain, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany come together – from Linz the route continues together to Budapest.
Save the Date – and join us for part of the journey.
➡️ Open map | Peacewalk website
Peacewalk Package
Participants receive a Peacewalk package (JW pilgrim's passport, PeaceWalk sticker & button, JW sticker & folder).
➡️ Peacewalk Package: Open webshop
JERUSALEM WAY Summer Festival – July 25, 2026
The traditional JERUSALEM WAY summer festival will take place on the evening of July 25, 2026.
➡️ Details & Registration: E-mail
Invitation: LEADER Project Launch
The official opening of the EU-LEADER project “Professionalization of the JERUSALEM WAY in the founding region” will take place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
➡️ Details & Registration: E-mail
Guided pilgrimage to Türkiye 2026
Guided pilgrimage on the JERUSALEM WAY Türkiye in cooperation with the Heuberger travel agency.
Date: 25 September – 9 October 2026
Early booking bonus until March 31, 2026.
➡️ Details & Registration: Open website
SERVICE
New FAQ about the JERUSALEM WAY
Our newly redesigned FAQ answers frequently asked questions about the route, GPS navigation, safety, accommodations, preparation and participation.
➡️ Open FAQ: Open FAQ
JERUSALEM WAY app
The JERUSALEM WAY app will be the digital heart of the Peace Trail. Planned launch: Spring 2026. Features include offline maps, navigation, a pilgrim network for finding and connecting with other pilgrims, infrastructure information, tips for accommodations and partners, and virtual stamps at historical sites (in addition to traditional pilgrim stamps).
➡️ Information about the app: Open FAQ
Support & Membership
With your membership fee (€35 per year) and with each Donation the path to peace is sustainably supported. Thank you for your help!
Thank you to all members, supporters and volunteers.
Let us go together – towards peace.
Your
JERUSALEM WAY International Peace Team eV
Association for Peace, Freedom and Tolerance
AUSTRIA - ZVR: 228599886
www.jerusalemway.org
info@jerusalemway.org
Newsletter registration
Here is the registration form for the Jerusalem Way newsletter (twice a year): OPEN REGISTRATION
