Youth Pilgrimage to Altötting
80th anniversary of the pilgrimage of the Diocese of Passau to Bavaria's Marian pilgrimage site
About Youth Pilgrimage Altötting
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Altötting — Bavaria's Lourdes
For centuries, Altötting in the Upper Bavarian district of Altötting has been considered Bavaria's most important Marian pilgrimage site and one of Europe's most significant. The late Gothic Chapel of Grace with the famous Black Madonna image attracts several hundred thousand pilgrims annually. In the Diocese of Passau, this pilgrimage tradition has been particularly cherished by Catholic youth since 1946: in the Youth Pilgrimage, which brings several thousand young people onto the pilgrimage trail.
Five Routes, One Destination
The pilgrimage starts from five different locations in the Diocese of Passau: Regen, Grafenau, Osterhofen, Schönau, and Passau itself. For three days, the pilgrim groups cover their routes — a total of about 90 kilometers to the common meeting point in Altötting. Along the way, walking stages alternate with prayer stops, songs, conversations, and meals in parishes along the routes. A special form of lived youth ministry that has been functioning for almost 80 years and is organized by the Episcopal Youth Office Passau together with the BDKJ Passau.
80 Years of Youth Pilgrimage
In 2026, the Youth Pilgrimage will mark its 80th anniversary. Since 1946 — the first departure after the war years — young people from Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate have been going to Altötting year after year. The motto of the anniversary edition is: "Arriving. Setting off. God is the Lord, also of our time." It captures the tension between finding a home and setting off, which pilgrimage uniquely embodies, and places it in a spiritual context for young adults in 2026.
Closing Service in St. Anna's Basilica
The highlight of the pilgrimage is the joint closing service on Saturday in St. Anna's Basilica in Altötting, usually celebrated by the Bishop of Passau (Bishop Stefan Oster). Several thousand young people celebrate the Eucharist together — a moment of intense spiritual experience and a widely known conclusion to the pilgrimage in Bavaria. The live broadcast via Niederbayern.tv additionally reaches thousands of fellow worshippers at home. The pilgrimage is open to young people aged 14 and over and is firmly embedded in the pastoral care of the Diocese of Passau's youth work.
Youth Pilgrimage Altötting — edition 2026
80th Youth Pilgrimage 2026
The 2026 Youth Pilgrimage is a milestone: Since 1946, the Episcopal Youth Office Passau has organized this pilgrimage — for the 80th time in 2026. From Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 18, 2026, several thousand young people and young adults from Lower Bavaria, the Upper Palatinate, and beyond will be on their way to Altötting along five routes.
The routes start in Regen, Grafenau, Osterhofen, Schönau, and Passau. For three days, walking, prayer, songs, and shared meals in parishes along the way shape the pilgrimage experience. The highlight on Saturday afternoon: the grand closing service in St. Anna's Basilica in Altötting with Bishop Stefan Oster, broadcast by Niederbayern.tv.
Programme Youth Pilgrimage Altötting 2026
Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Opening services in the five starting locations: Regen, Grafenau, Osterhofen, Schönau, and Passau
- Departure of the pilgrim groups, first day's stage
- Collection for the social project "Inn Natur in Simbach am Inn"
Friday, April 17, 2026
- Main pilgrimage day, second stage
- Service stops, conversations, songs
- Refreshment stops in participating parishes
Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Final stage and arrival in Altötting
- Grand closing service in St. Anna's Basilica with Bishop Stefan Oster
- Live broadcast by Niederbayern.tv
Detailed program and registration: bja.bistum-passau.de.
Highlights Youth Pilgrimage Altötting 2026
- 80th anniversary of the pilgrimage (since 1946)
- Five pilgrimage routes from Regen, Grafenau, Osterhofen, Schönau, and Passau
- Motto: "Arriving. Setting off. God is the Lord, also of our time."
- Closing service with Bishop Stefan Oster in St. Anna's Basilica
- Live broadcast of the closing service by Niederbayern.tv
Prices Youth Pilgrimage Altötting 2026
Participation in the pilgrimage is free. Pilgrim cross 2026: EUR 9.00 (voluntary, to finance the pilgrimage). Pilgrimage booklet available. Food provided by parishes along the routes, small donations welcome. Collections from the opening services will go to the social project "Inn Natur in Simbach am Inn".
Practical information — Youth Pilgrimage Altötting
Getting There and Routes
Starting points 2026: Regen, Grafenau, Osterhofen, Schönau, and Passau. Travel to the starting points by train (DB lines Plattling–Bayerischer Wald, Passau–Munich) or bus. End point: Altötting, St. Anna's Basilica, Kapellplatz, 84503 Altötting. Altötting train station on the Munich–Mühldorf–Simbach line.
Registration
Online at bja.bistum-passau.de. Participation from age 14 is possible. Pilgrim cross 2026: EUR 9.00. Pilgrimage booklet available. Food along the routes provided by participating parishes.
Social Project
Collections from the opening services in 2026 will benefit "Inn Natur in Simbach am Inn" — nature and animal-assisted support for children, families, and adults in difficult life situations.
Contact
BDKJ Passau, Steinweg 1, 94032 Passau. Tel. +49 851 393 5400 or -5401, E-mail [email protected].
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Youth Pilgrimage Altötting al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Youth Pilgrimage Altötting
Basilika St. Anna und Gnadenkapelle Altötting
Kapellplatz, 84503 Altötting