It’s no secret that Germany has an abundance of picturesque hiking routes. However, you might not have known that an official section of the Camino de Santiago (St James’ Way) passes through the country. Since the ninth century pilgrims have been travelling through the region of North Rhine Westphalia as part of the historic route to Santiago. If you want to join , or are simply looking for one of the region’s most stunning hikes, this one is for you.
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St James’ Way – Seven Routes of Pilgrimage in Westphalia
The Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL) records a total of seven pilgrimage routes in the region of Westphalia. A project carried out by the LWL – which was completed in 2015 – researched the medieval network of St James’ Way routes. These routes pass through major cities in the region. You might be familiar with Bielefeld, Dortmund and of course, Münster.
The route which passes through Münster is part of a longer stretch between Bielefeld and Wesel. Another significant stop on the part of this stretch is Coesfeld – which I will talk about more later in this post.
Route from Bielefeld to Wesel – Through Münsterland
The historic walking route between Bielefeld and Wesel was part of a longer trading route. This trading route connected the Hanseatic City of Lübeck to the Netherlands. There are multiple resources, including historic maps from the 15th and 16th century which evidence the historic use of the trail. These also include mention of part of the route from Münster to Coesfeld.
Today the walking route is divided into ten different parts. You can either walk entirely from Bielefeld to Wesel, which covers a total distance of 195km, or walk one individual section of the route. The entire route is signposted (more on what to look out for later!).
My recommendation is the stage between Nottuln and Coesfeld. So – let’s go!
Walking Route from Nottuln to Coesfeld
The stage of the St James’ Way from Nottuln to Coesfeld covers a total distance of 16km. This distance is manageable in around three hours of continuous walking. There are, however, a few points of interest on the way which you’ll want to stop at.
If you want to walk the route and you’re a hiking beginner – no problem. The entire route is reasonably flat with shallow uphill sections as you approach Gerleve Abbey. Make sure to pack snacks with you and bring plenty of water. Once you depart from Nottuln there aren’t any shops or facilities on route until you reach Gerleve Abbey.
Tip: If you’re planning to complete one or more stages of the St James’ Way in Westphalia, you might choose to collect stamps in your Camino passport. In total there are 233 stamps to collect.
Starting Point : St Martinus Church, Nottuln
The 16km route of the St James’ Way between Nottuln and Coesfeld starts at the St Martinus Church in Nottuln. You can view the church from the outside, it’s also free to go inside. The church’s roots date back to the 9th century, when it was first founded. The late gothic architecture was, however, first constructed in the late 15th century.
The church was partly destroyed by a fire in the 18th century and was then restored subsequently. The church is now registered with the “Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz”.
The small town of Nottuln is a great place to start your hiking route in the direction of Coesfeld. In Nottuln there are also multiple shops & supermarkets. These include “Dm, Drogerie Markt” , “Edeka” and “Lidl”. I would recommend to stock up on snacks, sun cream and water before embarking on your journey.
Route from Nottuln to Darup
To navigate the pilgrimage route between Nottuln and Darup, first walk along “Kirschstraße” in Nottuln. You will then reach a crossroads at Daruper Straße. From here, turn left onto “Oberstockumer Weg” and continue to walk straight.
Whilst walking along “Oberstockumer Weg” you’ll come across the pilgrim shell. These signs are usually attached to lampposts or tree trunks and they inform you that you’re on the right route. Look out for the scallop shell sign. A yellow arrow underneath the shell indicates which direction to continue walking in, or which turning to take.
Between the section of Nottuln and Darup you will also walk past a local farm. Here you will see various animals – including cows, goats and more.
A significant part of the route between Nottuln and Darup, and then Darup to Coesfeld, is covered by trees. Some parts of the route, especially as you first depart from Darup, have little shade. I would therefore recommend to wear a hat to keep yourself protected from the sun.
Darup – A village situated between Nottuln & Coesfeld
In around an hour after starting out in Nottuln you’ll reach the small village of Darup. The bus route from Nottuln in the direction of Coesfeld also passes through here.
The St James’ Way takes you past two special highlights in the village of Darup, which in my opinion, you shouldn’t miss out on:
Woodland Chapel – “Waldkapelle”
This idyllic woodland chapel feels truly peaceful. There are only a few passers-by and some local residents who come here to pray. You can go inside the chapel, or simply admire its architecture from the outside.
It was originally constructed during the mid 18th century with curved roof and roof turret. The highlight on the inside is a life-sized sandstone crucifix, which was created by the sculptor Wilhelm Heinrich Kocks in the year 1718.
Woodland Marble Run – Hohlweg Kugelbahn Darup
My personal highlight on the route between Nottuln and Coesfeld is the Hohlweg Kugelbahn. This woodland marble run was first constructed in late 2025 along the St James’ Way Route.
The marble run is constructed out of wood and has a total length of 100m – divided into two sections.
To get started, you’ll need to bring one (or more) one Euro coins with you. Use the Euro coin to free a wooden ball from the dispenser (it’s also possible via Paypal!). Once you’re done rolling, you can either keep the wooden ball as a souvenir, or donate and return your ball to help fund the project.
This destination in the Darup woodland area truly can’t be missed whilst walking between Nottuln and Coesfeld. It’s a great activity targeted towards families, but truly anyone can enjoy the marble run. There are many interactive elements which keep it interesting as you progress along the woodland trail.
During your hike between Nottuln & Coesfeld, I suggest to plan approximately 60 minutes for both the marble run & woodland chapel visit.
The St James’ Way continues : Darup to Billerbeck
The next section of the Camino de Santiago walking route through Münsterland takes you in the direction of Billerbeck. After walking through the woodland area in Darup, you’ll first follow onto the main road, where you need to cross over to the other side. Walk through open fields, before starting the ascent towards Gerleve Abbey. From this point onwards, you can use Google Maps to help guide the route towards the Abbey. The incline is steep, however short. Therefore it’s suitable for both beginner and intermediate hikers.
Once you reach the top of the ascent, you should be able to spot the stone towers of the Abbey in the distance. Keep following the route, using both Google Maps alongside the scallop shell to help guide yourself. The entrance to Gerleve Abbey is clearly marked and there is a single entrance for both cars & those on foot.
Gerleve Abbey – Overnight Stay Possibility on the St James’ Way
Kloster Gerleve is a popular destination. Not only for those walking the St James’ Way route, but also for locals in the surrounding region of Münsterland. Whilst some choose to visit Gerleve Abbey for a local day-out, it’s also possible to stay overnight and take part in the on-site program.
The history of Gerleve Abbey in Billerbeck
Gerleve Abbey has a picturesque setting , on the edge of the Baumberge Mountains. It was originally founded in the late 19th century by Beuron Archabbey. The church itself and the western wing were built between the time frame of 1901 and 1904. The facade of the church itself was embellished by architect Dominikus Böhm in 1938.
Facilities at Gerleve Abbey
During my journey on the Camino de Santiago route between Nottuln & Coesfeld, I had the pleasure of staying overnight in the onsite guesthouse. Haus Ludgerirast offers rooms for up to 47 people and accommodates guests for both longer and shorter stays.
Tip for staying overnight in Haus Ludgerirast: Bring earplugs with you, as the church bells sound at regular intervals through the night.
Further facilities at Gerleve Abbey include the Romanesque church, alongside the on-site book & art shop. There’s also a cafe / restaurant which is open for day-visitors for both savoury and sweet options. Guests staying overnight in the guesthouse have access to a separate canteen for breakfast and dinner.
There’s a lot to explore at Gerleve Abbey – including playground areas, an outdoor maze and prayer rooms. Access to the walls of the Abbey itself (with exception of the Romanesque Church) is exclusively for male monks. I had the pleasure of being shown around the interior of the Abbey itself and gaining insight into the life of the monks who live there. The Abbey even houses its own library with original copies of many historic books.
My recommendation: Whilst you walk the St James’ Way through Münsterland, stop for an overnight stay at Kloster Gerleve. Enjoy a cake & coffee in the on-site restaurant before setting off again the following day.
If you wish to travel to the Abbey via public transport, take the bus R63 directly from Münster Hbf to Abzw. Klost. Gerleve – Coesfeld. The total journey time is approximately one hour.
Find more information about Gerleve Abbey here : Gerleve Monastery in Billerbeck | Place of interest in Münsterland
Finish Point of the stage Nottuln – Coesfeld
The finishing point of the stage of the St James’ Way between Nottuln and Coesfeld is the St. Lamberti Church. The distance from Gerleve Abbey to the Marktplatz in Coesfeld is approximately 5 kilometres. You can expect the walking route from the Abbey to St. Lamberti Church to take approximately 60-75 minutes.
Alternative route from Gerleve Abbey to St. Lamberti Church in Coesfeld: Bus R63 from Abzw. Klost. Gerleve – Coesfeld to Coesfeld, Lambertikirche.
FAQs – St James’ Way in Münsterland
Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about the route between Nottuln & Coesfeld in Münsterland:
How long does the Nottuln > Coesfeld stage of the St James’ Way take? Approximately three hours of continuous walking.
Is the St James’ Way suitable for beginners? The stage between Nottuln and Coesfeld is suitable for beginner, intermediate and expert hikers.
Where can you stay overnight on this part of the Camino de Santiago Route? At Haus Ludgerirast at Gerleve Abbey (Billerbeck).
“Why should I walk this stage of the St James’ Way?”
This stage of the St James’ Way in Münsterland is suitable for those of all hiking abilities. The route offers diverse landscapes and architecture. This includes the woodland walk past the chapel in Darup alongside the churches in both Nottuln & Coesfeld and Gerleve Abbey itself.
This walking route is great for spring, summer and autumn. I would, however, recommend to walk this stretch of the St James’ Way in spring and autumn. During these two seasons, the temperatures are slightly cooler. This makes the entire experience more comfortable.
More experiences in the region of Münsterland
If you’re looking for more experiences in the region of Münsterland, why not explore the city of Münster itself? I’ve prepared a comprehensive guide for your first time in the city, which you can view here:
Muenster- a guide to planning your first visit – traveller.james- European travel tips & Inspiration
Interested for more? Don’t forget that you can join me on my other social media channels to discover more travel tips, inspiration and advice.