The Way of St James crosses our hill
Set out from the Old Town Bridge in Görlitz, climb through Germany’s smallest mountain range, and you will find yourself at our door. The Hochsteinbaude is one of the listed stops on the Ecumenical Pilgrims’ Way – and, at 406 metres, the highest point of the first stage.
Via Regia – the old royal road as a pilgrims’ way
The Ecumenical Pilgrims’ Way follows the Via Regia, the medieval trade road between east and west. As a Way of St James it runs from Görlitz via Bautzen, Kamenz, Leipzig, Naumburg, Erfurt and Eisenach to Vacha – 466 kilometres, divided into 22 daily stages. Keep walking, and sooner or later you are in Santiago de Compostela.
It is waymarked with the yellow scallop shell on a blue background. The signs are small and easy to miss – but once you know them, you see them everywhere. One of them stands less than a thousand paces from our door.
From Görlitz over the Hochstein to Buchholz
28.5 kilometres, 431 metres of ascent, around eight and a half hours. The route begins at the Old Town Bridge over the River Neisse, passes St Peter’s Church on its way out of town and leads via Ebersbach to Liebstein. There the climb into the Königshain Hills begins – and it ends with us.
Beyond the inn the path drops through mixed woodland, past the Kuckuckstein (Cuckoo Rock), and on via Arnsdorf and Melaune to Buchholz. If you would like to split the stage, our circular walks from Liebstein offer the same climb as a day’s outing.
What you will find here
Once you have made the climb from Liebstein, the hardest ascent of the stage is behind you. With us you will find a hot meal, coffee and home-baked cake, water for your bottle and a place where the rucksack can stand on its own for a while – indoors by the tiled stove or outside in the beer garden among the granite rocks.
The observation tower stands right beside the inn. 101 steps, and entry is free – from the top you look back to Görlitz and ahead across Upper Lusatia to the Zittau Mountains.
Pilgrim stamp
Yes, we stamp. Bring your pilgrim passport (credencial) to the bar during our opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm, in winter until 5 pm.
Pilgrim’s meal
Yes. Pilgrims get a simple dish at a reduced price – we look forward to seeing you!
What pilgrims travel with
The waymarks
A yellow scallop shell on a blue background. Small signs on trees, posts and house walls. There are no yellow arrows here as there are in Spain.
The pilgrim passport
It is stamped in the hostels along the way. Between Görlitz and Vacha there is a network of volunteer-run Christian hostels that is unique in Germany – parishes, monasteries and convents, and private households.
Best time to go
The climb via Liebstein is good to walk even in the wet; the paths are firm. In winter we close an hour earlier – if you are running late, it is best to ring ahead.
Getting here without a car
Königshain station is two kilometres from the ridge; the signpost at the Kuckuckstein points the way. Trains no longer run there – if you only want to walk the hill section, you can get there by bicycle or by car.
Questions pilgrims often ask
Is the Hochsteinbaude really on the Way of St James?
Yes. The first stage of the Ecumenical Pilgrims’ Way (Via Regia) crosses the Königshain Hills, and the inn is listed there as a stop. It stands at the highest point of the stage.
Can I get a pilgrim stamp here?
Yes. Bring your pilgrim passport to the bar – we stamp during opening hours.
Is there a pilgrim’s meal?
Yes. Pilgrims get a simple dish at a reduced price – we look forward to seeing you!
Can I stay overnight?
No, we have no rooms. We are an inn and a resting place – for the night there is the network of pilgrim hostels along the way.
How far is it from Görlitz to the Hochsteinbaude?
The whole first stage to Buchholz is 28.5 kilometres; we are part-way along it, after the climb from Liebstein. Allow a good half-day for the walk to us.
Do I need to book?
Not if you are simply stopping for something to eat or drink – just come in. We are open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm, in winter until 5 pm. We only ask larger groups of pilgrims to let us know beforehand, so that the kitchen is prepared.
Can I leave my rucksack somewhere?
Yes, there is room for it in the dining room. The observation tower is a good deal more pleasant to climb without luggage.
Questions before you set out?
We ask groups of pilgrims to let us know in advance – by phone or email – so that the kitchen is ready when you arrive. We are happy to answer short questions, usually the same day.