Berliners Are Rediscovering Their Faith Outdoors Through Local Pilgrimages
On a calm March day near Berlin, a small gathering of walkers—many being retirees clad in wool hats and fleece jackets—formed a quiet circle in the Grunewald forest. Their meeting place, set amid nature’s serenity, provided a space to reconnect with spiritual life without the conventional church setting.
Stephen Lemke, an adviser for senior citizens within the local evangelical community, led the group in a moment of reflection. Reading words that encouraged silent observance of nature—the whisper of the wind, the warmth of the sun, and the fleeting beauty of the moment—he invited everyone to experience a connection that went beyond words. After this shared meditation, the group embarked on an hourlong silent walk, letting nature and inner thought guide them.
Around Berlin, various organizations now host Christian pilgrimage walks that welcome both residents and visitors on nearly a weekly basis. These journeys offer people of all ages the chance to engage with their faith and build community outside traditional church walls. Some pilgrimages are led by pastors passionate about blending spirituality with the outdoors, while others are self-guided with planned stops at churches or sacred sites. Durations can range from a brief hour to extensive, multiweek excursions.
Modern Revival of an Ancient Tradition
Across Europe—and notably in southern Germany—a resurgence in pilgrimage travel has emerged as a way for an aging, increasingly secular society to reestablish a personal connection with Christianity. Many individuals who no longer feel at home in conventional churches have rediscovered that a simple walk through nature can serve as a profound spiritual journey.
Nicolas Budde, a pastor serving the Kladow borough in Berlin, observes that while regular church attendance has declined, so too has the desire for religious expression. For him, modern pilgrimages provide an effective way to open dialogue about faith outside traditional boundaries.
Historically, during the 1500s, devout Catholics would travel long and challenging routes to visit sacred relics. Journeys to revered destinations like Santiago de Compostela in Spain were seen as tangible proofs of devotion and means to purify the soul. However, in the early years of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther challenged the very practice—arguing that true spirituality was not confined to specific places and that God was accessible in everyday life. Over time, the traditional pilgrimage largely faded from favor.
Today, the concept of a pilgrimage has been reimagined. Bettina Kammer from Berlin’s Spandau district explains that while medieval pilgrimages were outward demonstrations intended to gain God’s favor, modern journeys are often deeply personal quests for meaning. Cultural influences such as films exploring the Camino de Santiago have also helped to revive interest in these spiritual routes.
In an innovative twist, Berlin’s Spandau district has introduced a 75-kilometer circular route that connects several Protestant and Catholic churches. Marked paths allow participants to choose whether to walk, cycle, or even paddle across waterways, collecting stamps at various stops along the way. For many, the simple act of walking transforms into an opportunity to reflect on personal challenges—be it loss, illness, or conflict—while fostering a renewed relationship with both nature and the divine.
A Journey of the Heart
These pilgrimages not only pave paths in the physical landscape but also chart courses in the inner life. Leaders like Lemke and Thomas N.H. Knoll emphasize that while the journey is measured in steps, its true significance lies in the movement of the heart. By setting aside digital distractions and embracing silence, participants often discover a more intimate connection with nature—a connection that mirrors the presence of the sacred in everyday life.
Moreover, the experience of walking together creates unexpected bonds. For many seniors, these outings serve as both physical exercise and a meaningful social gathering, offering a form of temporary congregation that revitalizes community ties. Younger generations, too, find solace in groups like Berlin Pilgrims, where the blend of hiking and reflective conversation fills a void left by more conventional forms of worship.
Each journey begins with a moment of prayer and continues with quiet reflection on the landscapes around them—whether it’s noticing the delicate buds emerging on bare trees, the gentle chorus of birdsong, or simply savoring the anticipation of a warm cup of coffee. As participants in Grunewald realized, every step in the sunlight reaffirms their faith and brings them closer to a transcendent experience.
Ultimately, these modern pilgrimages invite individuals to move forward—both physically and emotionally—by embracing nature, community, and a personal journey of the spirit.

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