7 Sacred Pilgrimage Routes You Can Walk: Camino, Via Francigena, Kumano Kodo & More

Long before “thru-hiking” was a hashtag, pilgrims walked thousands of miles to sacred sites — across deserts, over mountain passes, through medieval villages. These ancient routes still exist. And they are experiencing a renaissance: over 400,000 people walked the Camino de Santiago in 2025 alone. Pilgrimage walking is not about religion anymore (though it can be). It is about stripping life down to the essentials — one step, one road, one day at a time. Here are the world’s greatest pilgrimage routes and everything you need to walk them.

The 7 Greatest Pilgrimage Routes in the World

1. Camino de Santiago — Spain (500 miles / 800 km)

The most famous pilgrimage on Earth. From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French border to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Walkers follow yellow arrow waymarks across the Pyrenees, the Meseta (central plateau), rolling vineyards, and Galician forests. Takes 30-35 days at 15 miles/day.

2. Via Francigena — Italy to Vatican City (1,200 miles / 1,900 km)

The “road to Rome.” From Canterbury, England through France, over the Swiss Alps, and down the Italian peninsula to St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The Italian section (600 miles) is the most walked. Tuscan hills, medieval hilltowns, Roman roads, and vineyards. Less crowded than the Camino with better food.

3. Kumano Kodo — Japan (50-100 miles / 80-160 km)

Ancient Shinto-Buddhist pilgrimage through the sacred forests of the Kii Peninsula. Moss-covered stone paths, towering cedar trees, hidden shrines, and onsen hot springs. UNESCO World Heritage alongside the Camino — the only two pilgrimage routes with that distinction. Shorter but steeper — serious elevation gain daily.

4. The Way of St. Francis — Italy (340 miles / 550 km)

From Florence or La Verna to Assisi and on to Rome, following the footsteps of St. Francis. Through Umbria’s green heart — olive groves, hilltop monasteries, and medieval walled towns. Less known than the Camino or Via Francigena, meaning genuine solitude and authentic encounters. The most spiritual of all the Italian routes.

5. Abraham Path — Middle East (600+ miles / 1,000 km)

A cultural walking route through the lands of Abraham — Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. Not a traditional pilgrimage but a peace-building initiative connecting communities through walking. Desert canyons, Bedouin villages, ancient cities, and the Dead Sea. The most adventurous route on this list.

6. St. Olav’s Way — Norway (400 miles / 640 km)

From Oslo to the medieval cathedral of Nidaros (Trondheim). Through Norwegian forests, past Viking-age farms, over the Dovre Mountains. The northern alternative to the Camino — midnight sun in summer, genuine wilderness, and far fewer pilgrims. This is where Nordic walking meets its spiritual origin.

7. Shikoku Pilgrimage — Japan (750 miles / 1,200 km)

The 88-temple circuit around Japan’s smallest main island. Buddhist walking meditation in its purest form — white-clad henro (pilgrims) walk clockwise visiting each temple. Takes 30-60 days on foot. Ancient cedar forests, Pacific coast, mountain temples, and the legendary hospitality of osettai (gifts from locals to pilgrims).

Pilgrimage Route Comparison

Essential Gear for Pilgrimage Walking

A pilgrimage strip you down to essentials. Your pack should weigh no more than 10% of your body weight — ideally 15-18 lbs (7-8 kg) total. Every gram matters at mile 400.

The Pilgrimage Pack

Feet: Your Only Vehicle

Blisters end more pilgrimages than anything else. Prevention is everything:

Sleep: Hostel Essentials

Most pilgrim hostels (albergues) provide a bed but not bedding. You need a sleep liner — lighter than a sleeping bag, good enough for indoor use, and protects against questionable mattresses.

Poles: Your Third and Fourth Legs

On a 500-mile walk, trekking poles reduce knee impact by 25% and improve stability on descents. Compact, foldable poles fit inside or alongside your pack when not in use.

Protection and Comfort

Guidebooks

The Pilgrimage Packing List

Why Nordic Walking Technique Matters on a Pilgrimage

Proper Nordic walking technique is not just for fitness parks — it is a pilgrimage survival skill:

• 25% less knee impact — over 500 miles, that is thousands of fewer high-impact steps
• Upper body engagement — distributes workload from legs to arms, delaying fatigue by hours
• Better posture — prevents the “pilgrim hunch” that develops from carrying a pack all day
• Faster recovery — full-body movement promotes blood flow and reduces next-morning stiffness

Learn the proper technique before you go: The Biomechanics of a Perfect Step.

Bottom Line

A pilgrimage is the original long-distance walk. No GPS needed — just follow the yellow arrows, the red-and-white blazes, or the moss-covered stones. Pack light, protect your feet, carry poles, and leave space for whatever the road brings you.

The path provides. You just have to start walking.

Buen Camino.

About the Author

Alex Mercer — INWA Level 2 Nordic Walking Instructor

Certified by the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA) since 2019, Alex has coached 500+ walkers from beginners to ultra-distance competitors. Sports science background with a focus on biomechanics, gait analysis, and evidence-based training protocols. Regular contributor to walking and outdoor publications.

Credentials: INWA Level 2 · BSc Sports Science · 5+ years coaching Full bio →