The “Cistercian Way” long-distance hiking trail, designed as part of the Cisterscapes project and ceremonially opened in Ebrach in 2022, is entering its second round! In future, the trail will connect further hiking regions and cultural destinations in six countries over a distance of 7,200 kilometers.

The route, which extends from the central line with Ebrach to France in the west, across the North Sea to Poland and in the east and south via the Czech Republic and Austria to Slovenia, will be extended by another attractive stage by the end of 2026. For example, a 800-kilometre ring link is currently being created between the two Cisterscapes partner sites Wągrowiec Monastery in Poland and Velehrad Monastery in the Czech Republic (see graphic).

This stage splits halfway and, on its western route through the Giant Mountains, will in future also pass through the Polish district of Karkonoski (name until 31.12.2020: Jelenia Góra), with which the district of Bamberg has maintained a close partnership since 2007. Above all, the new route also includes a number of former and still active Cistercian monasteries in Poland and meets one of the most famous European cultural routes near Velehrad : the Cyril Methodius Way, which in turn connects central pilgrimage sites between the Czech Republic and Greece over a distance of 5,000 kilometers.

Another new offer is the Wilhering Pilgrimage Trail between the two Cistercian monasteries of Wilhering in Austria and the Cisterscapes partner monastery of Vyšší Brod in southern Bohemia. The 132-kilometer route allows you to explore the historic border region between the Danube and the Vltava. A special offer: if you don’t want to hike the six daily stages alone, you can be accompanied by trained “PilgerWegWeiser:innen”.

Further links to the hiking trails: outdooractive.com, www.cisterscapes.eu/wandern , https://www.wilheringerweg.at , https://www.ok-tourism.cz/de/trasa/kyrill-und-methodiusweg/

Fig. 1: The Cistercian Way will be extended from 6,400 to around 7,200 kilometers by the end of 2026. The new section runs between Poland and the Czech Republic and will also pass through the partner district of Karkonoski in future (graphic: hiking trail planner Hans-Georg Sievers).

Fig. 2: Ceremonial opening of the pilgrimage route on April 15, 2026 at Wilhering Abbey in the presence of regional politicians, church dignitaries, tourism experts, Cisterscapes partners from Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic as well as numerous guests (Photo: Martina Zanner / Ikom Stiftland).