Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a custom group tour based on staying in one location and taking a tour bus out each day to visit trail highlights. For those who want to walk the entire 135 km trail over 10–12 days independently, contact Naheland-Touristik to help organize luggage support and logistics.

Yes — the Saint Hildegard Pilgrimage Trail is open to individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs. While Hildegard von Bingen was a Christian mystic, her teachings on nature, health, music, and the sacred feminine have resonated with people from many spiritual and philosophical traditions. This can be a meaningful journey for anyone drawn to her life and legacy.

The 2026 tour runs September 12–22, spanning 10 days. The pilgrimage is centered around Saint Hildegard’s Feast Day on September 17, celebrated at the Abbey in Eibingen.

The tour involves varying levels of walking depending on the day. Activities include walking tours of medieval towns, visits to historical monastery sites, and forest hikes. Some days involve several hours on foot over uneven terrain. A moderate level of fitness is recommended.

No. While the pilgrimage has spiritual and religious dimensions, it takes a holistic approach — exploring Hildegard’s teachings on health, herbalism, music, and philosophy alongside the historical and natural landscape. It is a journey of personal growth, cultural exploration, and wonder as much as spiritual reflection.

People come for many reasons: to deepen their understanding of Hildegard’s life and teachings; to explore the medieval history of the Rhineland; to connect with a holistic approach to spirituality, health, and creativity; to experience the forests, vineyards, and river landscapes that shaped her visions; and to join a community of fellow seekers on a transformative journey.

Key sites include the monastery ruins at Disibodenberg where Hildegard lived for nearly 40 years; the Rupertsberg Abbey site in Bingen; the Pilgrimage Church of St. Hildegard in Rüdesheim-Eibingen with the Hildegard shrine; the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard; and the natural landscapes of the Rhine Valley and Nahe River region.

A moderate level of fitness is recommended. The tour involves walking on hills and uneven surfaces, sometimes for several hours in a day. Sites are not wheelchair accessible. Participants should be comfortable with sustained walking in varied terrain.

The package includes roundtrip air transportation (if selected), 9 nights in four-star hotels, breakfasts and dinners daily, an English-speaking tour guide, entrance fees for all attractions, airport and hotel transfers, service charges, taxes, and Wi-Fi on the tour bus.

Not included: lunches and soft drinks, personal expenses, tips for hotel staff and guides, travel insurance (required), passport and visa fees, health documentation, transportation from your home city to the international departure airport, optional sightseeing, baggage insurance, excess luggage, laundry, personal phone calls, and any expenses related to itinerary deviations or airline changes.

Good Shepherd Travel reserves the right to choose the airline, routing, and departure times. Participants who arrange their own air transportation must notify Good Shepherd Travel in writing at least 90 days before departure.

Cancellation fees are determined by Good Shepherd Travel and vary based on timing. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Please consult the current tour contract for specific 2026 fee schedules, as policies are subject to change.

Travel insurance is not included but is required. Please arrange adequate coverage before departure.

Due to difficult terrain at several sites, persons requiring oxygen or oxygen therapy will not be permitted on the tour. Participants with significantly impaired mobility, vision, or cognitive capacity may also not be able to participate. Sites are not wheelchair accessible.

One checked bag per person, maximum 62 inches total dimensions and 50 lbs. A second bag may incur additional cost. One carry-on bag is also permitted.

Yes. The itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the Group Leaders or Good Shepherd Travel. Participants will be notified of any significant changes.

The Scivias Institute for Art and Spirituality eV is a German non-profit organization whose vision is to create an ecumenical community of teachers and students from the fields of theology, art, and psychotherapy — as well as anyone seeking their own creative and spiritual path. Visit their site for information on international memberships and upcoming Hildegard calendar events.