Guided pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Crescentia of Kaufbeuren
Saint Crescentia Höß (born Anna Höß, 1682–1744) is the only saint from the Allgäu region of the Catholic Church and a central figure of 18th-century South German mysticism. Born in Kaufbeuren in 1682, she entered the Crescentia Monastery there as a Franciscan and later became its abbess. 'Many people from near and far came to seek her advice' — a tradition of spiritual counseling that solidified her reputation far beyond the Allgäu. Pope John Paul II canonized Crescentia on November 25, 2001. Since then, Kaufbeuren has developed into a pilgrimage site of growing supra-regional importance.
The Crescentia Pilgrimage Trail is a roughly 90-kilometer circular hiking trail from Kaufbeuren via Ottobeuren and Mindelheim back to Kaufbeuren. It connects stations from the life of Saint Crescentia and 18th-century East Swabian mysticism: the Crescentia Monastery Kaufbeuren (starting point), Gut Bickenried, the Benedictine Abbey of Ottobeuren (one of the most important Baroque ensembles in Southern Germany), the Fatima Grotto Baisweil, the Mindelheim Monastery of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross. The path is divided into four stages.
In 2026, the Crescentia Monastery, together with Kaufbeuren Tourism, is organizing a guided pilgrimage week from May 14th to 17th, during which each stage will be completed by a pilgrimage group on a separate day. This format solves one of the practical problems of classic circular routes: there is no bus connection for stage changes in the morning and evening. The tour starts every morning at the Crescentia Monastery; the bus transfer takes the group to the start of the stage, and in the evening, the bus collects the pilgrims at the stage end and brings them back to Kaufbeuren.
Spiritual guidance (a sister from the Crescentia Monastery, a priest, or a trained pilgrimage leader) accompanies each day with short impulses, prayers, and periods of silence. Those who prefer to pilgrimage individual stages alone or follow other spiritual paths are also welcome — the guidance is an offer, not a mandatory program.
The 2026 edition was officially announced on April 30, 2026, by Kaufbeuren Tourism and the Crescentia Monastery. The format and prices remain unchanged compared to the previous year: €25 per person per stage including bus transfer, individual stages can be combined, four consecutive days with a new stage each day.
The pilgrimage days take place in all weather conditions — sturdy hiking boots, weather-proof clothing, and sufficient provisions are necessary. Spiritual guidance for the group offers short prayers and impulses during the day, but also allows for periods of silence and individual pilgrimage.
Crescentia Monastery Kaufbeuren, Crescentiagasse, 87600 Kaufbeuren. Kaufbeuren has train connections (Memmingen–Munich line, Kaufbeuren station is a 10-minute walk from the monastery). By car via the A96 (Kaufbeuren exit). Park & Ride at the train station or at the Kaufbeuren underground car park.
Sturdy footwear, weather-proof clothing, sufficient provisions and water. The pilgrimage tours take place in all weather conditions.
€25 per person per stage including bus transfer. Individual stages can be booked separately. Registration via Tourist Information Kaufbeuren: Tel. 08341 437-190 or E-mail [email protected]. Free pilgrim passes and route maps available at the Tourist Information office.
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