Every journey begins with a first step ...

The Jerusalem Way is an individual pilgrimage and peace trail, undertaken independently on foot or by bicycle. These FAQs provide an overview of the route, navigation, preparation, and important organizational questions surrounding the journey.

Read on here: Brief information & preparation

The Jerusalem Way deliberately follows a West-East orientation: from the historical pilgrimage routes of Western Europe to the birthplaces of the Abrahamic religions in the East. This direction is also practical, symbolic and spiritual.

In practice, the route connects existing Camino de Santiago traditions in the west with new spaces of peace in the east. In its initial sections, it utilizes established pilgrimage and cultural infrastructure, which facilitates orientation and planning. From Austria onward, the Jerusalem Way increasingly leaves dense pilgrimage networks and leads through regions where GPS navigation, preparation, and intercultural sensitivity play a greater role. This makes the growing personal responsibility of the pilgrims tangible.

Symbolically, the path leads to Sunrise Contrary to this, in many cultures the East represents new beginnings, life, light, and hope. The West, on the other hand, is traditionally associated with sunset. The Jerusalem Way deliberately follows this movement. towards the light and life – not in the direction of farewell, but in the direction of new beginnings.

The term also refers linguistically to Orient Regarding this meaning: It derives from the Latin oriens "ab" means ascent, beginning, orientation. The Jerusalem Way thus leads to the Orient – ​​to orientationgeographical, cultural, and internal.

Thus, the west-east direction of the Jerusalem Way symbolically represents a inner and outer journey – from external structures to spiritual origins, from the familiar to the new, from diversity to encounter, from path to meaning.

The Jerusalem Way has been followed for many years. Over a thousand pilgrims from various countries have already been on the journey – on individual stages as well as on the entire route.

The Jerusalem Way stands open to all people – regardless of religion, origin, age, or experience. He is a Peace and Pilgrimage Route, not a sporting competition.

The way can:

• alone or in a group
• in stages or over longer periods of time,
• on foot or by bicycle
  be made. 

It's important own self-assessment Regarding physical, mental, and organizational preparation. The Jerusalem Way invites you to take the path. at one's own pace and in one's own life context .

The Jerusalem Way can be started in many places – there is no mandatory starting point. Many pilgrims start from home, on existing pilgrimage routes, or at a section of the route that suits them (see also the FAQ point "How long does the Jerusalem Way take?").

A proven starting point is: Select route → Read stages → Use GPS/app → Start walking.

The Jerusalem Way unfolds step by step – not everything needs to be planned in advance. Planning is helpful – Trust is crucial.

The Jerusalem Way is not a route with a fixed duration. For the journey from Finisterre, you should allow approximately one year.

Depending on the starting point, the route covers several thousand kilometers and is either completed in one go or in stages over years – for example from home, from Finisterre or from Austria in the heart of Europe.

Some pilgrims go:

• individual sections,

• Country stages,

• or connect the route with specific phases of life.

The Jerusalem Way is not only a project with an end date (with many pilgrims aiming for Christmas or Easter), but also a life path that is individually shaped over years.

Ultimately, it is not the length or speed that is decisive, but the conscious experience of being on the road as a stranger in a strange land (Peregrinos). See also "Pilgrims of Hope"

We recommend a light, sturdy backpack with good hiking gear: weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear, a first-aid kit, a water bottle, sunscreen, a mobile phone with a GPS app, a passport, and, if necessary, a visa, depending on the country.

Planning is helpful – trust is crucial.

Yes. There are basically several ways to get to the Jerusalem Way.

One possible route leads from Rome via the Via Francigena of the South to Brindisi, from there by ferry to Albania and then along the Via Egnatia all the way to Thessaloniki. Shortly before Thessaloniki, this route intersects the Jerusalem Way – from this point on, you are directly on the Peace Trail towards the Holy Land. The exact intersection point is marked as a Point of Interest (POI) in our app.

However, most pilgrims reach the Jerusalem Way in this section via the Balkan route, which leads through Hungary, Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia to Greece.

We particularly recommend this route for several reasons:

– It enables deep and authentic encounters with Muslim, Serbian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox and other religious and cultural traditions in a respectful coexistence.
– She is a ideal internal and external preparation onward through Turkey and the Middle East.
– From the perspective of the Jerusalem Way peace project, the Balkans have a central symbolic and social significance for Europe.

Sections of the historic Via Egnatia have been integrated into the Greek route where they make sense from a modern pilgrimage perspective. In other areas, the route has been deliberately adapted, as parts of the ancient path are now very steep, difficult to traverse, or run close to highways.

Ab Kavala, The Jerusalem Way therefore often deliberately leads along the coast, through olive groves, to spiritually special places – including a monastery that can only be reached via a footbridge in a lagoon – as well as through the ancient Maroneia until after AlexandroupoliThis section is considered by many pilgrims to be one of the most beautiful stages of the Jerusalem Way in Europe. See also the FAQ.Balkan route & Greece"

The Jerusalem Way is not consistently marked everywhere. Navigation on the Jerusalem Way is primarily done via GPS. Markings and stickers are present in many regions, but do not replace GPS navigation and serve mainly for orientation and to identify the route.

Therefore, the Jerusalem Way was conceived and developed as a GPS-based route from the very beginning.

Detailed information on navigation, the use of GPS tracks, and the current app solution can be found in the next FAQ section. "App / Navigation - Is GPS data available?".

There are numerous accommodation options along the Jerusalem Way – from simple hostels, guesthouses, and private rooms to homes run by local hosts (“Houses of Hope”). Accommodation recommendations are included as Points of Interest (POIs) in the GPS data and the app, and also contain helpful tips from pilgrims for pilgrims.

The western section of the Jerusalem Way up to Budapest is freely accessible and documented online. From Budapest onwards, in addition to GPS tracks, extensive points of interest (POIs) are available – including accommodations, practical information, cultural sites, and supply points. This content is included in the GPS offering and is continuously being expanded.

The current focus is on the eastern section from Austria – the most challenging part of the route. Accommodation recommendations for approximately 80 percent of this section are already included in the app. In Jordan and Palestine, up to Jerusalem, specific accommodation information is available for each stage.

Please note: The Jerusalem Way is not a guided tour. Accommodations may change seasonally, be unavailable, or new ones may be added. Flexibility, personal responsibility, and an open mind are therefore essential to the journey.

You can find detailed information in the Route menu as well as in the GPS data and the app.

Balkan route and Greece

The Jerusalem Way is much more than a pilgrimage route: it is an international peace and cultural project that connects people, cultures and religions. The route across the Balkans is of unique historical depth, characterized by cultural diversity and symbolic encounters.

• Historical depth
  From mohács (1526) Karlowitz and Belgrade about the UNESCO monasteries Studenica and Žiča, the Field of Blackbirds (Kosovo Polje), Skopje , Stobi, until Thessaloniki and Philippi – these are not just waypoints, but key places in European history.
  
  

• • Religious dimension
    

    Of the Places of Paul about the Serbian Monastery Street, the Church of Saint Sava – the largest Orthodox church in the world – and the earliest archaeologically documented synagogue in North Macedonia to Cradle of European Christianity in Philippi: This line does not exist anywhere else.

     

    • symbolic meaning
      The Peace Bridge of Mitrovica, in the refugee route taken in the opposite direction and 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács give the path a special relevance as a sign of reconciliation.

       

      • Myth and History
        From the epics Homer and Troy over Paul and the pioneering  first Christian communities to the ancient streets Through Military and Via Egnatia – the Jerusalem Way connects the major lines of antiquity, the Bible and literature.
        
        This makes it a living peace way, which brings together antiquity, the Bible and the present and reconnects Europe with Jerusalem in a unique way. READ MORE IN DETAIL HERE...
        

The Balkan route of the Jerusalem Way, which runs through Hungary, Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia to Greece, has a special significance for the entire peace project. It connects Central Europe with the Eastern Mediterranean and stands for the Reconciliation of peoples and cultures in a region that has been characterized by conflict and division for centuries.

Pilgrims meet here living history, spiritual diversity and intercultural dialogue – from Muslim traditions to Serbian and Greek Orthodox Christianity and other religious expressions, always in the spirit of respect and peace.

This section also forms the ideal preparation for the further journey through Turkey and the Middle EastKosovo, in particular, has great symbolic power: a region in transition that embodies the spirit of transformation and hope.

As a Member of the European Parliament told our exhibition said in Brussels: “Without peace in the Balkans, Europe will fall apart.” The Jerusalem Way therefore deliberately leads through the Balkans – as a living bridge between religions, cultures and the intellectual and political soul of Europe.

Photos of pilgrimages in the Balkans: Open here

Upon entering Turkey, pilgrims enter one of the historically and spiritually richest regions on earth.

The Jerusalem Way through Turkey leads through a region of exceptional historical, cultural and spiritual density.

Am Hellespont / the Dardanelles The route crosses the historical threshold from Europe to Asia – a section steeped in myth and history. Xerxes I and Alexander the Great already crossed here with their armies; Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa also crossed the Dardanelles.

Along the over 2.000 km long route Western Anatolia & the Aegean, the Lycus Valley/Phrygia, Central Anatolia, Cilicia & the Mediterranean coast, and Southeastern Anatolia are home to numerous important sites of antiquity and early Christianity, including Troy, Assos, Smyrna (Izmir), Pergamon, Ephesus, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Pamukkale, and Konya. These places are deliberately directly integrated into the route guidance.

The Jerusalem Way through Turkey has already been many pilgrims The route has been traveled – also by women alone or in small groups. Many report experiencing great hospitality, openness, and helpfulness along the way. Navigation is provided. basically via GPS. Markings and stickers are present in many regions, but they do not replace GPS navigation.

Note / Istanbul: If you also wish to visit Istanbul, a proven approach is to take a few rest days in Keşan, then travel to Istanbul by bus (direct connection available), explore the city – and afterwards return to continue the Jerusalem Way. Several pilgrims have already done this.

Read on here: Türkiye – Route, History, Culture & Spiritual Places

Tip: You can also find more information in the Route menu under TürkiyeFurthermore, there are also guided pilgrimages on the Jerusalem Way through Turkey.

The Jerusalem Way reaches a particularly significant, but also sensitive, section in the Holy Land. Jordan, Palestine, and Israel are characterized by great religious diversity, deep spiritual traditions, and differing political realities.

Many pilgrims also report experiencing great hospitality, openness and warmth from the people they encountered along the way.

The Jerusalem Way is explicitly understood here. not political, but as a path of peace and encounter. As an international peace trail, it breaks down prejudices through encounters and mutual recognition, connecting people of diverse origins, cultures, and religions. As an intercultural project, it is aimed at the The human family – regardless of religious affiliation, origin or worldview.

Pilgrims are invited to enter this space with respect, mindfulness and openness – towards people, cultures and religious sites of all traditions.

Many pilgrims experience the Jerusalem Way as a journey of hope, mutual trust, and inner reflection. Challenges along the way are understood not only as difficulties, but also as part of an experience of community, solidarity, and personal growth.

Important information for planning and while traveling:

– Current Visa and entry requirements Possible changes to borders and crossings must be checked in advance.

- Cultural and religious customs are to be respected; appropriate clothing is particularly important in holy places.

Photography is not welcome everywhere – if in doubt, ask beforehand and observe local guidelines.

– In sensitive regions, it is recommended to local recommendations to take into account and to plan stages in advance.

For many pilgrims, the journey through the Holy Land is the spiritual highlight of their trip. At the same time, this section requires particular care, flexibility, and personal responsibility.

Further Information You can find it in the "Route" menu under:

- Jordan
- Israel and Palestine
- Stages Holy Land

For basic information on preparation and personal responsibility, see also the FAQ point “What responsibility do pilgrims themselves bear?”

Of course. The Jerusalem Way is modular. You can join anywhere and walk for as long as you like. Even stages spanning several years are possible.

The Jerusalem Way unfolds step by step – not everything has to be decided in advance.

Many people experience the Jerusalem Way not only as an external journey, but as an experience of trust, the reduction of prejudice, and deep encounters that strengthen the inner path and hope.

The Jerusalem Way is open to all people – regardless of religion, origin, or worldview. The path stands for peace, tolerance, and international understanding.

Due to its international dimension as well as its historical and cultural background, the Jerusalem Way is an official candidate for certification as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. The project is currently in the ongoing evaluation process. The intended certification underlines the contribution of the Jerusalem Way to international understanding, intercultural dialogue, and peace-building on a European and global level.

The Jerusalem Way is not an organized package tour, but an individual pilgrimage and path of peace. Each pilgrim is responsible for their personal preparation, navigation and stage planning, adherence to local laws and customs, and a realistic self-assessment.

The international, volunteer country teams of the Jerusalem Way, as well as local contacts on site, provide guidance and recommendations, but do not replace personal travel decisions. In addition, there is an international pilgrim community of the Jerusalem Way. Through voluntary exchange groups (e.g., our international "WhatsApp pilgrim groupPilgrims share experiences, tips, and encouragement (e.g., via social media). Participation is voluntary and is intended as mutual support from pilgrims for pilgrims.

The path can be easy – and yet challenges will arise. Consciously accepting them offers the opportunity for personal growth.

Note: Syria is currently inaccessible. Please see the alternative route via flight from Türkiye to Jordan, described in the menu.Türkiye" and under "Syria"Information on entry and visa regulations as well as country-specific features can also be found in the section on the Holy Land."

For more in-depth guidance and practical advice along the way, we also recommend our pilgrim information: https://www.jerusalemway.org/faq/pilgerinformationen

The Jerusalem Way is a non-profit, international peace project supported by many people both ideologically and practically. Support is possible in various ways – depending on your personal means:

• through word-of-mouth and dissemination the idea of ​​the Jerusalem Way,
• through collaboration in projects, events or regional initiatives,
• through membership in the association “JERUSALEM WAY International Peace Team”,
• through financial support in the form of donations.

Every form of support helps to further develop the Jerusalem Way as a path of peace, encounter, and understanding. Information on Contact, cooperation, Membership or Donation opportunities They can be found in the relevant section of the website.

If you have any further questions or would like to provide feedback, please send us a message using the contact form below: