Way of St. James Frankfurt (Oder) - Bernau near Berlin

The northern Way of St. James from Frankfurt (Oder) via Müncheberg to Bernau reflects Brandenburg's rich history. It is not only the city of Frankfurt (Oder) that offers a glimpse into the past with St. Mary's, the largest church of the North German brick Gothic style, and other historical buildings. There are a wide variety of cultural monuments along the way. Historic town centers and numerous village green churches characterize the northern Way of St. James.

The path leads through meadow landscapes, along picturesque lakes and rivers. Extensive forest areas line the path. The various nature reserves and the "Märkische Schweiz" nature park fascinate with their great biodiversity. When we look at nature, our thoughts are invited to ask ourselves the existential questions of life, which can often be better considered when we are on the move than in our everyday environment.

Length: 111 km (4-5 days)

Start: Frankfurt (Oder) / Goal: Bernau near Berlin

Route marking: Stylized yellow shell on a blue background. The closed side of the shell points in the direction of travel. Traditionally, the Way of St. James is only marked in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.

Arrival: From Berlin Hauptbahnhof take the RE1 to Frankfurt (Oder).
Check out: From Bernau station take the RE3 or S2 towards Berlin or the RE3 towards Angermünde and Schwedt.

Course: Frankfurt (Oder), Kliestow, Booßen, Sieversdorf, Gut Klostermühle, Alt Madlitz, Falkenhagen, Arensdorf, Hasenfelde, Heinersdorf, Tempelberg, Müncheberg, Schlagenthin, Hoppegarten, Sophienfelde, Werder, Garzau, Rehfelde, Strausberg, Wesendahl, Rudolfshöhe, Werneuchen, Löhme, Helenenau, Börnicke, Niebelungen, Bernau near Berlin

Route information of the 7 individual stages: Frankfurt (Oder) - Sieversdorf (17 km), Sieversdorf - Falkenhagen (12 km), Falkenhagen - Müncheberg (23 km), Müncheberg - Garzau (20 km), Garzau - Strausberg (13 km), Strausberg - Werneuchen (15 km), Werneuchen - Bernau (17 km)

Sights: 

• Frankfurt (Oder): St. Mary's Church
• Booßen and Sieversdorf: Village church and manor house
• Falkenhagen: Fortified church, evidence of the former importance of the place as a castle complex
• Arendsdorf: Village church, a Romanesque fieldstone building with what is probably the oldest bell in the church district
• Hasenfelde: late Gothic hall church
• Temple Mount: Romanesque fieldstone church on a lake
• Müncheberg: oldest town in the Margraviate of Brandenburg
• Märkische Schweiz Nature Park: Rotes Luch, a low moor and spring area 
• Werder: Village church with engraved drawings
• Garzau: the largest fieldstone pyramid in Germany, village church
• Strausberg: St. Mary's Church, early Gothic pillar basilica made of fieldstone with beautiful ceiling paintings, Straussee
• Wesendahl: late Romanesque fieldstone church from the 13th century, Wesendahl Mill, one of the oldest still existing and functioning watermills in Brandenburg
• Börnicke: Castle and farmsteads made of fieldstones and bricks, pilgrim silhouette by the artist Ekkehard Koch 
• Bernau: St. Mary's Church and old town with city wall

Possible combinations: 

• From Müncheberg to Fürstenwalde (Spree): connecting route with the Way of St. James southern route from Frankfurt (Oder) to Teltow 
• Way of St. James Via Imperii from Berlin to Leipzig
• Circular Trails in Märkische Schweiz

Road condition/route development: 
The route is fully signposted. The landscape is flat and without any significant differences in altitude.

From Frankfurt (Oder) there is a second option for hiking the Way of St. James in Brandenburg in addition to the northern route: the southern route via Fürstenwalde and Erkner to Teltow. A connecting route between Müncheberg and Fürstenwalde connects both routes.

Note:
Some sections of the route are sparsely populated and have few restaurants or shops. Overnight stays must also be planned carefully. 

Maps/ Literature: Currently still in planning.