Jerusalem Way: Nördlingen – Donauwörth

From the Ries town to the Danube

This stage leads from the former Free Imperial City Nördlingen through the unique landscape of the Nördlinger Ries via Harburg to Donauwörth.

Nördlingen has an almost completely preserved and walkable medieval town wall. In the centre of the historic old town stands the late-Gothic St George’s Church with its church tower, visible from afar, known as “Daniel”.

From the town centre, the Jerusalem Way heads out into the vast crater landscape of the Nördlinger Ries. On this section, the route largely follows existing pilgrimage and hiking trails, especially the Via Romea Germanica.

Through the Nördlinger Ries to Harburg

The route leads through the varied cultural landscape of the Donau-Ries region towards Harburg. The historic town on the Wörnitz, with its castle visible from afar, is ideal as an intermediate destination and for splitting this long stage.

With a total length of 42.4 kilometres, this section is better suited for many pilgrims as a two-day tour: from Nördlingen to Harburg, and on the following day on to Donauwörth.

Along the Wörnitz to Donauwörth

From Harburg, the Jerusalem Way continues through the Wörnitz valley. Mostly on quiet hiking paths and existing pilgrimage routes, we follow the Wörnitz towards Donauwörth, where the river finally flows into the Danube.

Donauwörth is a former Free Imperial City and has been an important place of pilgrimage for centuries. Several historic and present-day pilgrimage routes meet here.

Holy Cross and Jerusalem Way Peace Dove

A central spiritual place in Donauwörth is the former monastery church and today’s pilgrimage church Heilig Kreuz. For almost a thousand years, a relic of the Cross has been venerated there, linked to Jerusalem and the tradition of the Cross of Jesus.

Donauwörth is also home to a JERUSALEM WAY Peace Dove. It was installed in 2021 as part of an interfaith ceremony and stands as a visible sign of peace, reconciliation, and the connection between people across religious and national boundaries.

Routes converge in Donauwörth

In Donauwörth, the Jerusalem Way of the Apostles coming from Fulda joins the Jerusalem Way of the Kings coming from Cologne.

From here, both German feeder routes continue together via Regensburg to Passau. There, the Jerusalem Way of the Monasteries joins them. After that, all three routes run together through Upper Austria to Linz and then on the main route towards Jerusalem.

Navigation and GPS

On this stage, the Jerusalem Way is not marked everywhere with its own Jerusalem Way waymarking. Please use the current GPS route and, if possible, save the map for offline use before you start the stage.

Accommodation, places to stop for refreshments, and current trail conditions should be checked before setting off. Due to the length, an overnight stay or splitting the stage around Harburg is recommended for many pilgrims.

Key places along this section of the route:
Nördlingen – Harburg – Donauwörth

DOWNLOAD ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE