If you thought the Camino de Santiago was the only pilgrim walk to do in Europe, think again. Here are 5 other walks for the long-distance wanderer in the Northen Hemisphere.
St Cuthbert's Way, Melrose, Scotland to Northumberland, England (100km)
Taking you through the Scottish border’s most stunning scenery and ending in the Holy Island of Northumberland in England, this walk is inspired by the life of St Cuthbert - starting in a place where his religious life began in 650AD and ending at his shrine. Several miracles reported at his tomb quickly made him a magnet for pilgrims, and his shrine became the most popular place of pilgrimage in the North of England throughout the Middle Ages. The route takes walkers between the triple peaks of Eildon Hills, along the banks of the River Tweed, and through cornfields, woods and tracks once marched by the Romans; witness ancient castles and stunning views along the Scottish border on the way. Website: stcuthbertsway.info
Via Francigena, Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy (2000km)
Taking you from England, to Italy, through France and Switzerland, this pilgrimage route has been journeyed by Christians, clergymen and emperors since the 4th century. Also known as the Italian Camino, this spiritual, cultural and historical trail takes four months to complete in one go. It cuts through a large part of France, a slice of Switzerland and into the heart of Italy, passing through UNESCO listed and medieval towns, hilltop villages and a range of differing landscapes, visiting ancient cathedrals and fortified castles along the way. Don’t have the time? Raw Travel offers sectioned walks through the Tuscan section of the trail, taking you through the core of the Via Fran-cigena and through a visually beautiful Italian landscape. Website: viefrancigene.org/en/
The Pilgrims’ Way, Hampshire to Kent, England (200km)
Travelling through England, between the Cathedral cities of Winchester and Canterbury, this route dates as far back as the Stone Ages due to its natural topography, but was used by pilgrims seeking spiritual guidance from Saints and martyrs (such as St Thomas Becket) since the 12th century. The trail interweaves with several walking trails along the way, following St Swithun’s Way, River Wey and North Downs Way; through valleys, meadows, ancient woodlands and nature reserves, passing photographic towns (such as the home of Jane Austen) and ancient churches and church ruins. Pilgrims have also connected this route with the Via Francigena starting from Canterbury to the Holy City in Rome. Website: pilgrimswaycanterbury.org
Saint Patrick’s Way, Armagh to Downpatrick, Northern Ireland (132km)
As the name suggests, this route follows the footsteps of Saint Patrick - a missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland. Commencing at the Navan Centre in Armagh, the birthplace of his first church and where the Church of Ireland cathedral now stands, to his final resting place at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, the trail takes a scenic route through the stunning landscapes Northern Ireland has to offer. Connecting with existing walking trails, such as the Newry Canal Way, Ulster Way and Mourne Way, the walk takes you through canal towpaths, the Mourne mountains, beautiful forests, rolling hills, seaside towns and nature reserves, visiting many churches, grand estates, holy sites and historic buildings along the way. Website: saintpatrickscountry.com
Saint Olav Path, Selånger, Sweden to Stiklestad, Norway (564km)
Taking you through Nordic history and Norwegin culture, St Olav’s Path follows the road King Olav Haraldsson traversed and died on to reclaim the Norwegian throne. Starting from Selånger, and ending at the Nidaros Cathedral in Stiklestad—on the actual spot where the King is said to have died—the trail takes you through two Scandinavian countries, and divides into two walking routes in Levanger. The inland trail through the still and thick Trøndelag forest, and the fjord track via a coastal route through the Trondheim fjord. Both paths lead you to the impressive Nidaros Cathedral at the site where St Olav was buried in 1030. It still stands today as it did throughout the Middle Ages. Website: pilegrimsleden.no/en/
Words_Andrea Purnomo