Our top five pilgrimage walks

A pilgrimage walk can mean something different to everyone on the trail. A means to reconnect with nature, a religious rite of passage, or simply an active way to spend time with friends. What’s clear is that in many instances, it is not so much the destination that is the ultimate goal, but the sheer pleasure of being on the journey itself. On the Camino de Santiago through Spain and parts of Europe you pass through many historic communities that add a soulful quality, or on the Via Francigena, you'll pass through landscape with an old-world pastoral quality that lifts the spirits. In Japan, walks such as the Nakasendo Trail and the Shikoku Pilgrimage offer the chance to experience the warmth of Japanese hospitality at traditional ryokans, and sink into a relaxing onsen after a long day on the hoof.

Camino de Santiago, Spain

The Camino de Santiago is actually a sprawling network of routes across Europe, all of them culminating at the cathedral in Compostela de Santiago in Galicia, northwest Spain, where it is said that Saint James was buried. Many thousands of walkers collect the stamps in their ‘Pilgrim Passports’ every year, enjoying the blissful Galician scenery, the historic towns and villages along the way, which often have significant religious architecture of their own, and the chance to meet fellow pilgrims from all over the world.
When to depart: All year round but best time is April – June or September

Our top selling trip: Sarria to Santiago de Compostela walking tour

See all our trips: Camino de Santiago vacations

Read more: Camino de Santiago travel guide

Kumano Kodo Trail, Japan

Pilgrims have been taking the Kumano Kodo Trail for centuries, and at many points it really does feel as though time stands still. Linking three sacred shrines and many other temples, the Kumano Kodo Trail takes you through almost ethereal landscapes of bamboo forest, wide river valleys and soaring mountains. Some sections can be arduous, but if you want to feel at one with nature this trek will not disappoint.
When to depart: April to May, October to November

Our top selling trip: Kumano Kodo walking vacation

See all our trips: Japan walking vacations

Read more: Japan walking vacations travel guide
Back in the 17th and 18th centuries the Nakasendo Trail between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo) was thronged with feudal lords and their entourages, merchants and bands of samurai. Today people walk it for fun rather than business or warmongering, covering small sections that are easygoing and scenic, linked by public transport. The most popular places to overnight along the way are always the ryokan guesthouses. You may want to bring along a set of earplugs, as the walls between rooms are often literally paper-thin.
When to depart: March to July, September to November
Our top selling trip: Nakasendo Trail, walking tour
See all our trips: Japan walking vacations

Contact Us

Responsible Travel, Travel Team

Call us for a chat about our vacations. We are happy to discuss your vacation and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.

Responsible Travel, Travel Team

Via Francigena, Italy

The road’s name suggests that it originated in France, but in fact the very long and ancient Via Francigena links Canterbury in England with Rome in Italy, and is 3,000km long – that’s longer than any of the Camino de Santiago routes. Far less developed or walked than its more famous Spanish neighbour, the Via Francigena only really gets walkers once you reach Italy. But then again, who wouldn’t want to walk from Lucca to Siena, through luscious Tuscany?
When to depart:: All year round but the busier parts of Italy might be avoided in summer.
Our top selling trip: Francigena Way Lucca to Siena
See all our trips: Italy walking vacations

Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail, Japan

The Shikoku Pilgrimage, looping around Shikoku Island in southern Japan, is an epic 1,200km in length and can take up to two months to complete in its entirety. Pilgrims, henro, can frequently be distinguished by their white clothing, conical hats and walking sticks. The route links 88 temples linked to the Buddhist monk, Kobo Daishi, and will usually begin or end at Mount Koya, the base of Shingon Buddhism.
When to depart: All year round
See all our trips: Japan walking vacations

More Pilgrimage walking articles

Pilgrimage walks travel guide
Pilgrimage walks travel guide
Considering a long distance pilgrimage walk? Don't set off without reading this first.
Nakasendo Walking Trail
Nakasendo Walking Trail
Japan's legendary Nakasendo Trail is 500km of feudal forays through mountains, valley, and ancient forests.
Kumano Kodo Trail
Kumano Kodo Trail
Walking between shrines and temples, the Kumano Kodo is a journey through Japan’s spiritual history.
The Pilgrims Way
The Pilgrims Way
The Pilgrims’ Way is an ancient, long distance walking route between Winchester and Canterbury.
Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk
Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk
The Camino de Santiago is one of the oldest, most famous, most beloved pilgrimages routes in the world.
Shikoku Pilgrimage walk in Japan
Shikoku Pilgrimage walk in Japan
The epic Shikoku Pilgrimage to enlightenment loops around the smallest of Japan’s major islands.
Walking The English Way
Walking The English Way
Explore this 113km walking route to the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela.
The Portugal Way
The Portugal Way
The Portugal Way is a Camino route that lets you walk either inland or along the wild Atlantic coast.
Walking the Via Francigena
Walking the Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is a legendary pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome.
Pilgrimage walking advice
Pilgrimage walking advice
Pilgrimage walks aren't to be embarked on lightly - some tips and advice on what to expect.
Give us a call

More relevant guides

Walking
Written by Rob Perkins
Photo credits: [Page banner: Mario Cales] [Monument of the pilgrims, Burgos: Bjorn Christian Torrissen ] [Nara-ken: vbo] [The Nakasendo highway, between Tsumago and Magome: User:Daderot] [Via Francigena, Italy: Mmastx2] [Temple gate, Konsen-ji: Reggaeman]
Close tab
Vacations that you view will be shown here. If you'd like any help contact us.