Image: Wikimedia Commons / Horia Varlan
The Camino de Santiago is the world’s most famous pilgrimage route — and rightly so. But it’s not the only one. Across the world, ancient paths still wind through forests, across mountains, and into sacred cities, walked for centuries by seekers, monks, merchants and travellers.
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These five pilgrim routes offer a quieter kind of journey — less commercial, often more rugged, but rich in beauty, culture and tradition.
Kumano Kodo, Japan’s sacred forest paths
On Japan’s Kii Peninsula, the Kumano Kodo threads through misty mountains and cedar forests, connecting a trio of ancient shrines known as the Kumano Sanzan. For over a thousand years, this network of trails has drawn emperors, monks and common pilgrims into the deep heart of the Japanese countryside.
The Nakahechi route is the most popular, taking four to five days to complete. Pilgrims stay in local inns, soak in natural hot springs and follow mossy stone steps laid centuries ago. There’s something meditative about walking these wooded trails — a quiet rhythm that mirrors the rituals of those who came before.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / V travel
Lycian Way, Turkey’s Mediterranean legacy
Turkey’s Lycian Way follows the rugged coastline between Fethiye and Antalya, stretching for over 500 kilometres through pine forests, past cliff-top tombs, and down to deserted beaches. It’s not a religious pilgrimage in the traditional sense, but it walks in the footsteps of an ancient civilisation — the Lycians — whose influence can still be seen in the ruins scattered along the route.
Expect olive groves, crumbling amphitheatres, and warm hospitality in coastal villages. It’s well-marked and relatively easy to navigate, with flexible options for shorter hikes or long-distance treks. The trail combines physical challenge with history, sea views and plenty of chances to swim along the way.
View from the lycian way near Ölüdeniz. Image: Wikimedia Commons / Alexey Komarov
Via Francigena, England to Rome
If the Camino leads to Santiago, the Via Francigena leads to Rome. First walked by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 990, this ancient route passes through England, France, Switzerland and Italy — covering nearly 2 000 kilometres from Canterbury to the Vatican.
Much like the Camino, it’s possible to walk shorter sections. In Tuscany, the trail passes hilltop villages, sunflower fields and Roman roads. In Switzerland, it climbs into the Alps. Pilgrims follow in the tracks of medieval wayfarers, crossing borders at a human pace, fuelled by roadside cafés and quiet churches.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Wolfgang Moroder
St Olav’s Way, Norway’s fjord pilgrimage
For something more remote, consider St Olav’s Way in Norway — a pilgrimage route leading to the cathedral in Trondheim, where King Olav II is buried. Starting from Oslo or other points across the country, the trails pass through forest, farmland and fjord valleys, with traditional farm stays and simple cabins along the way.
The landscapes here are vast and Nordic, with long summer days and crisp northern air. It’s a walk for solitude and reflection, and while the weather can be unpredictable, the route is well-marked and supported by a growing community of pilgrims and hosts.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Visit Norway
Mount Athos footpaths, Greece’s hidden Byzantine network
Mount Athos isn’t for everyone — access is restricted to men, and visitors need a permit to enter the self-governed monastic republic. But for those who make the journey, the walking is unforgettable. Ancient footpaths connect 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries across the peninsula, cutting through dense forest, olive groves and sea cliffs.
Pilgrims and monks have walked these trails for over a thousand years. Today, they remain largely unchanged: cobbled, narrow, and lined with wild herbs. The experience is both spiritual and physical, shaped as much by the silence as by the steep climbs and long shadows.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Dave Proffer
A slower way to travel
Pilgrimage walks are not just about the destination — they’re about the pace, the pause, the perspective. These ancient trails offer something that modern travel often forgets: time to listen, to look, and to walk your way into a deeper connection with place and self.
Whether you’re drawn to Japan’s sacred hills, Turkey’s sunlit ruins or the fjords of the far north, there’s a trail out there that leads not only through history — but back to the simple joy of putting one foot in front of the other.
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