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01. Etappe Hildegard von Bingen Pilgerwanderweg: Idar-Oberstein - Herrstein
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/ Felsenkirche Idar-ObersteinPhoto: Urlaubsregion Naheland -
/ Fachwerk in HerrsteinPhoto: Zöllner, EdelSteinLand / VG Herrstein-Rhaunen -
/ Kupferbergwerk FischbachPhoto: phormat/E. Dubois, EdelSteinLand
ATTENTION REDIRECTION: Due to rock stabilisation work above the Felsenkirche, the path along the Felsenkirche is closed until further notice! A diversion is signposted. The diversion runs through the pedestrian zone in the direction of 'Platz auf der Idar' and from there along Schlossstraße and Felsenkirchstraße uphill towards Oberstein Castle.
Idar-Oberstein - Herrstein
The area around Idar-Oberstein stands for a craftsmanship that is unparalleled worldwide. This part of the trail is dedicated to Hildegard's stonecraft.
Idar-Oberstein is internationally considered a gemstone city. Various museums there invite you to explore the gemstones that have been mined and processed here for centuries. The first information board on the Hildegardweg is dedicated to Hildegard's lithology (Board 2: Stones, German Mineral Museum). However, the visionary and naturopathic abbess did not write about stones per se, but about the healing effect of stones on people.Hildegard von Bingen pilgrimage trailIn her fourth book of her Physica she describes the effect of 26 (precious) stones. After the legendary Felsenkirche and the spectacular rock formations at the beginning, the nature-oriented path offers beautiful quiet brook valleys, old forests and, when crossing the mountain ranges, magnificent views. Hildegard von Bingen, abbess, poet, theologian, naturalist and healer, lived all her life in the Nahe holiday region.
The 137 kilometre long Hildegard von Bingen Pilgrim's Trail leads past various stages in the life of one of the most famous figures of the Middle Ages. The trail starts in Idar-Oberstein and continues via Niederhosenbach, the family seat and possible birthplace of Hildegard von Bingen, to Bad Sobernheim. Not far from here is the Disibodenberg monastery ruin, where Hildegard spent almost 40 significant years of her life. The pilgrims' trail finally ends in Bingen am Rhein. Here, the Rupertsberg vaulted cellar still bears witness to Hildegard von Bingen's last place of work: in 1150, the saint founded the Rupertsberg monastery, which was the place of her work for 29 years. The last stops on this ecumenical pilgrimage trail are the Hildegard shrine in the pilgrimage church of St. Hildegard Rüdesheim-Ebingen and the abbey of St. Hildegard Ebingen.
The pilgrimage trail is divided into 10 stages. The stages range from 5 to 21 kilometres. 59 information and meditation panels along the entire route provide information about the person of Hildegard, her work and life in the Middle Ages. Hikers approach the spiritual side of Hildegard von Bingen through meditation panels which follow Hildegard von Bingen's visionary pictures from her main work "Scivias - Know the Ways" and give impulses for meditation. The boards are written in both German and English.The pilgrim's pass can be stamped at the accommodation facilities, other route stations and finally at St. Hildegard Abbey in Eibingen.
Short vita of St. Hildegard of Bingen
1098: Birth of Hildegard von Bingen, probably in Niederhosenbach near Herrstein
1112: Admission to the Disibodenberg monastery near Bad Sobernheim, together with Jutta von Sponheim
1136: Hildegard von Bingen becomes the second magistra in the Disibodenberg monastery after the death of Jutta von Sponheim around
1150: foundation of a convent in Bingen on the Rhinefrom
1150: Hildegard writes her visionary medical & musical works. She travels along the Rhine, Moselle, Main and Neckar rivers and preaches in public places.
1165: Foundation of a second convent in Eibingen, today's pilgrimage church of St. Hildegard Rüdesheim-Eibingen
17 September 1179: Hildegard von Bingen dies in Bingen on the Rhine
10 May 2012: Canonisation of Hildegard von Bingen by Pope Benedict XVI
7 October 2012: Survey of church teachers
Author’s recommendation
Safety information
This first section of the Hildegard von Bingen Pilgrims' Trail is very demanding and characterised by a varied route with a steep gradient. For around 21 kilometres, the path leads along narrow paths, past rocks, through woodland and also includes a section that leads steeply down stairs. It is possible to divide the first stage and spend the night in Fischbach halfway through.Tips, hints and links
Naheland-Touristik GmbH, Bahnhofstraße 37, D-55606 Kirn, Telefon: +49 (0) 6752/137610, Fax: +49 (0) 6752/137620, info@naheland.net, www.naheland.net
Vor Ort:
Tourist-Information EdelSteinLand, Büro Idar-Oberstein, Hauptstraße 419, D-55743 Idar-Oberstein, Telefon: +49 (0) 6781/64-871, Fax: +49 (0) 6781/64-878,
Tourist-Information EdelSteinLand, Büro Herrstein, Brühlstr. 16, D-55756 Herrstein, Telefon: +49 (0) 6785/79-1400, Fax: +49 (0)6785/79-81400,
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
ATTENTION REDIRECTION: Due to rock securing work above the Felsenkirche, the path along the Felsenkirche is closed until further notice! A diversion is signposted. The diversion runs through the pedestrian zone in the direction of 'Platz auf der Idar' and from there along Schlossstraße and Felsenkirchstraße uphill in the direction of Oberstein Castle.
The Felsenkirche is the sacred landmark of Idar-Oberstein. It was built about 60 metres high in the rocks in 1482-1484 as atonement for a fratricide. On the footpath to the Felsenkirche is the first of around 26 meditation panels entitled "The Seer". Over a few hairpin bends and through dense forest we then reach the castle complexes of Oberstein Castle and Bosselstein Castle high above the old town of Oberstein. From here we follow the parallel path of the dream loop "Nahe-Felsen-Weg".Our effort of the ascent is rewarded with a fantastic view of the town centre and the wooded heights of the "Prussian Mountains". At the "Schlossweiher", only a few hundred metres away, a barbecue hut and several benches and tables invite us to take a short or even longer break. From the 5th kilometre the trail follows the Saar-Hunsrück Climb, which runs in the same direction. On a near-natural passage with beautiful quiet brook valleys, old forests and crossing mountain ranges with magnificent views, the Hildegard von Bingen reaches PIlgerwanderweg after a slight descent to Fischbach in the Fischbach valley of the same name.
After Fischbach it is worth making a detour along the marked access path to the historic copper mine. At the end of the stage we reach the medieval town of Herrstein with its numerous half-timbered houses and romantic alleys.
This stage, which is dictated by the landscape, is the longest and, with several ascents, the steepest route and is more suitable for experienced hikers. For those who cannot or do not want to take up this sporting challenge, it is advisable to cycle at least part of the route or to divide this stage into two days (stages 1a and 1b).
Note
Public transport
Public transport friendly
By train to Idar-Oberstein. The city is located on the route Mainz - Saarbrücken and can be easily reached with the regional express and the regional train (vlexx). 850 meters on foot (approx. 10 min.) from the station via the Nahe-Center and the main street (pedestrian zone) to the German Mineral Museum.Getting there
A61 exit Bad Kreuznach, direction B41 Idar-Oberstein exit "Tourist-Information", follow the municipal parking guidance systemA62 to Birkenfeld exit, continue towards Birkenfeld B41 to Idar-Oberstein exit "Festhallenknoten", follow the municipal parking guidance system
Parking
Car park "Altstadt" and car park "Stadttheater", car parks "Festhallenknoten" and "AustraßeCoordinates
Equipment
Hiking boots recommended!Our tips for carefree hiking pleasure:
Hiking is the perfect sport. With the right clothing and the right shoes, it is twice as much fun. Functional clothing, poles and breathable rucksacks are comfortable when hiking. But good shoes are indispensable. Sturdy jogging or leisure shoes are only suitable for short distances on level paths at best. For longer distances we recommend sturdy hiking boots with non-slip soles. Also remember to bring sun protection and a drink. One litre of water is ideal.
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