Pilgrimage walks travel guide

2 minute summary Top 5 Camino de Santiago The Portugal Way The Pilgrims Way The Nakasendo Trail Shikoku Pilgrimage Kumano Kodo Trail The Via Francigena Advice

Pilgrimage walks travel guide

For many enthusiastic hikers, the ultimate ambition is to take on the challenge of a lengthy pilgrimage walk, either in stages over a series of holidays or, for the truly determined, all in one go. Iconic routes such as the Camino de Santiago and Japan’s Nakasendo Trail are spoken of with reverence by those that have managed to complete them or dream of one day doing so.

Pilgrimage walks often have religious, cultural or social significance. Some even say they can have a transformational effect.

The rigours of a pilgrimage walk however, whatever your motivation for undertaking them, are not to be underestimated. Even if the route itself is well trodden, careful preparation is essential for an activity that can be both physically and mentally demanding. But a pilgrimage walk should not be seen simply as an endurance test; rather it’s an opportunity to think about not just where and when we walk, but why. Find out more in our Pilgrimage walks travel guide.

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History of pilgrimage walks

Most major religions talk about the concept of making pilgrimage, and some routes have existed for centuries. Christianity has the Way of Saint James – the Camino de Santiago route to Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of Saint James are said to be buried. In Islam there is the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca that almost all adult Muslims are obliged to complete once in their lifetime.

Pilgrimages aren’t always religious of course. They might serve a social purpose: think of the march from Selma to Montgomery by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists in pursuit of black voting rights. Or they may have a cultural aspect: what self respecting Beatles fan has never contemplated making a pilgrimage to Abbey Road and recreating that iconic album cover, or laying a flower at Strawberry Fields in Central Park?

Generations ago, the pilgrimage might well have been the only time in their lives that some people left their village. It’s an ancient tradition, but one that definitely still has a place in the modern world.

Why take a pilgrimage walk holiday?

A pilgrimage might tie in with your religious beliefs. You might be drawn by the historic or cultural significance of the places you’ll visit along the route, which is certainly a factor on the Camino de Santiago and in Japan. The physical challenge and the landscapes may also be factors. Some people simply want to escape their daily, busy lifestyles for a while; a pilgrimage is a chance to reconnect with nature and find the time and space to think. It may be a combination of these reasons, or something else entirely. For many pilgrims, the journey itself is of more importance than the final destination.

It’s a little overcooked to say that a walk has the potential to change your life, but lots of people that have undertaken and completed a pilgrimage would readily admit the experience has made them see life a bit differently. You might set out on what you think is just going to be a nice little adventure or a chance to make new friends on the trail, only to find it becomes a process of meditative self discovery, maaan.

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What does a pilgrimage walk entail?

You’re going to need to be fit. A long distance pilgrimage is taxing both physically and mentally. Some walks can take several weeks and longer, often necessitating breaking them up into shorter holidays if you hope to complete them. You will be exposed to the elements for long periods of time, sun, wind and rain so adequate training beforehand is essential, as is appropriate footwear and trail clothing. Many walkers choose to bring along a set of poles, and have their luggage transferred between accommodations.

While you can do this kind of trip independently, organised tours offer convenience and the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 support. You might opt for walking ‘nomadically’ on a tailor made self guided holiday, where you can skip certain sections and choose your own route, accommodation and dates, or join a small group tour which is a great idea for solo walkers looking for a social element.

Daily distances might be anywhere between 15km and 30km, leaving you time to appreciate the scenery, history and culture of the places you’re walking through. This isn’t a feat of endurance, remember.

By nature, pilgrimages tend to be very well established in terms of infrastructure, such as way markers and accommodation. Accommodation along the routes is plentiful: in Japan you’ll stay in traditional ryokan inns, in Spain you’ll have a selection of refuges or hotels available to you, and if you’re on the Pilgrims’ Way in England, there is a wide mix of YHAs, hotels, B&Bs, and private homes. Booking early is highly advisable in peak walking season.

Responsible tourism on pilgrimage walks

Take ‘er easy there, pilgrim

When you have many thousands of people all walking the same route every year, there are obvious environmental implications, a perfect example being the Inca Trail in Peru that issues a limited number of daily trekking permits, and closes every February for restoration. But the effects of ever increasing numbers of walkers aren’t always so obvious as litter or worn down paving stones.

The more people there are on the trail the more potential there is for conflict (we don’t mean fisticuffs) between genuine religious pilgrims, those just walking for the fun of it, and local people along the route. This can result in a degradation of the spiritual experience for the pilgrim, and a degradation of the cultural heritage that affects everyone, such as the way that historic towns can be overtaken by chain restaurants and souvenir shops.

Ultimately it all boils down to respect, for other walkers whatever their motivation, and for the places you are passing through. You may not be doing the Camino de Santiago for religious reasons, but the person right behind you could well be.

How to be a responsible pilgrim

Always stay on the trail rather than straying onto the verge or ‘off-road’ where you may unwittingly damage fragile ecosystems. If you can walk at a quieter time of year, that will also help to reduce the strain on the environment. Dress appropriately for the trail, and especially for entering churches, temples or other sites of religious significance. And try not to be too noisy around areas where people may be praying, meditating or otherwise trying to get into the pilgrimage mood. Be respectful when taking photos at religious sites – or perhaps just put the camera down, and take some time to appreciate the spiritual atmosphere. Wherever possible try to eat, sleep and shop local to help the economy along the route. If you’re souvenir shopping, try and stick with authentic products of the region rather than mass produced, imported tat. And if you can pick up a little of the local lingo too, that’s always appreciated. When you’re walking all day, sometimes for weeks at a time, no one can blame you if you get ‘caught short’ sometimes. Carrying a loo roll and a plastic shovel with you is a common courtesy. Leaving any kind of litter behind is a big no-no of course. But it’s become something of a ritual when completing the Camino de Santiago for walkers to discard or burn their shoes at Cape Finisterre. This is one Camino tradition that we’d be better off without. Be considerate to other walkers, by stepping aside for anyone moving at a faster pace than you, and politely making others know about your presence if you want to overtake them. Tap water in Spain, England and Japan is perfectly safe to drink, so carrying a reusable water bottle is a great way to reduce your plastic consumption. Find out more in our guide to plastic free holidays. Our guide to responsible tourism on the Camino de Santiago gives some detail on the excellent efforts to make sections of the route more accessible. We offer several tailormade trips that can also ensure you’re in accessible accommodation too.