Way of St. James in the Bohemian Forest

Away from the large streams of pilgrims, it is perhaps best to listen to yourself. The hike begins in the medieval town of ?eský Krumlov (CZ). ?eský Krumlov has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The second largest castle in Bohemia is enthroned on a rocky hill above the town. The beautiful castle garden is also worth a visit. Head west to Maria Gojau (Kájov), one of the oldest Marian pilgrimage sites in Bohemia. The first stage leads to Friedberg, on the shores of Lake Vltava.
The next day, the route leads through the Šumava National Park to St. Thoma (Svatý Tomáš). Here you will find the ruins of Wittinghausen Castle, known from Adalbert Stifter's stories. The highlight of the next stage of the day is Schlägl Abbey. With the building of the monastery in the early 13th century, the cultivation of the area began, which until then had been a dense primeval forest. The exhibition on the monastery's cultural and artistic treasures is well worth seeing, as is Austria's only monastery brewery. Via the pilgrimage churches of St. Wolfgang am Stein and Maria Trost, you hike to Rohrbach the next day. The town's parish church is dedicated to St. Jacob and is considered one of the most important Baroque buildings north of the Danube. The town of Pfarrkirchen is the destination of the fifth stage. Next to the church is the Lorettokapelle with the Black Madonna. The next day, the pilgrims cross the border into Bavaria in Neustift. The destination of the week-long hike is the cathedral city of Passau.