Pilgrimage routes are scattered across the globe. Some are lesser-known, while others see hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year. Nowadays, these routes are not only religious but also popular as walking and hiking trails for tourists. Along the way, pilgrims often don’t have access to the Internet so that they can’t (and don’t have time to) chat with friends or play games at https://ivibet.com/, but they still can visit ancient historical sites, admire beautiful cities, enjoy mountain landscapes and test their physical endurance.
Here are the top 5 pilgrimage routes from various corners of the world.
The Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago), Spain
The Way of St. James, also known as Camino de Santiago or St. James’ Way, is the most famous pilgrimage route in Europe. It ends at the tomb of Apostle James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, located in the small Spanish town of the same name, the capital of Galicia in northwestern Spain.
Today, there are dozens of variations of the Camino de Santiago, but here are the 5 most popular routes, attracting thousands of pilgrims from different countries annually:
- The French Way: This 800-kilometer route passes through the Pyrenees mountains and central Spain, starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Roncesvalles in France. Over 80% of pilgrims choose this route.
- The Portuguese Way: Stretching 613 kilometers from Lisbon or 240 kilometers from Porto along the ocean. It’s the second most popular route.
- The Northern Way: This 860-kilometer route mainly runs along Spain’s northern coast, starting in Irún and passing through 130 towns, offering beautiful coastal views and mountain ranges.
- The Primitive Way: A challenging 315-kilometer route from Oviedo through Asturias and Galicia. It’s considered one of the most physically demanding routes.
- The English Way: A shorter 112-kilometer route from El Ferrol or 72 kilometers from La Coruña, historically used by pilgrims from Britain and Ireland.
On average, pilgrims cover 20–30 kilometers per day, traveling on foot, by bike, or even on horseback. The French Way typically takes over 30 days to complete, while the Portuguese section from Porto can be done in just 10 days. The Camino de Santiago is one of the few pilgrimage routes listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Kumano Kodo, Japan
The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route in Japan is one of Asia’s best-known paths, famous for its breathtaking views and sacred sites, including ancient shrines, mountains, and hot springs. For thousands of years, locals and pilgrims have traversed the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, where Kumano Kodo is located.
Benefits of this route include low tourist traffic, good transportation access, and well-developed infrastructure. The entire route is about 100 kilometers and takes roughly a week, with some sections accessible by transport.
Key highlights along the route include:
- Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine: Nearby is a 133-meter waterfall, the tallest in Japan, and the 3-kilometer-long “Daimonzaka” stone staircase through ancient cedar forests.
- Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine: Located near the spot where the Kumano River meets the Pacific Ocean, this shrine is surrounded by relic forests and houses imperial gifts from the 15th century.
- Kawayu Onsen: A scenic town with healing hot springs and traditional Japanese inns (ryokan).
In 2004, Kumano Kodo was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list as one of the world’s oldest pilgrimage routes. Since the 9th century, it has been walked by pilgrims, samurai, aristocrats, and now tourists.
The Way of St. Francis, Italy
The Way of St. Francis is a popular pilgrimage route in Italy, following the ancient path from Florence to Rome, inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who founded the Franciscan order. The route is divided into several paths, all of which pass through Assisi, the saint’s hometown.
One of the most popular sections is the South Route (Percorso Sud):
- Total distance: about 170 kilometers, split into 10 stages.
- Start: the ancient mountain town of Greccio in the Lazio region, central Italy.
- Finish: the town of Assisi.
The route features mountainous terrain with elevations reaching 1,000 meters, gravel roads, and plenty of well-maintained rest stops. It can be completed in about a week, although some stages require good physical preparation. Other paths and detailed maps are available on the pilgrimage’s website.
The Abraham Path, Middle East
The Abraham Path stretches over 1,200 kilometers across several Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The path traces the legendary journey of Abraham, considered the patriarch of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, who is said to have walked this route 4,000 years ago.
Due to ongoing conflicts in the region, not all sections of the path are safe or marked for tourists. However, one of the most popular and safe sections is the Abraham Path in Turkey. This 170-kilometer route begins in the sacred city of Urfa, where a ritual complex of mosques and caves marks the birthplace of Abraham.
Other safer sections include the Sinai Trail and Jordan Trail, with maps and stage descriptions available on the official Abraham Path website.
The Jesus Trail, Israel
Israel is one of the most prominent pilgrimage destinations worldwide, attracting visitors to places where biblical figures are said to have lived. The Jesus Trail is a 65-kilometer route that traces the possible footsteps of Jesus Christ. It begins in Nazareth, where Jesus was born, and ends at the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias), also known as the Galilee Sea.
For those familiar with the Bible, the trail offers a unique opportunity to see places mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, such as the village of Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, and the ruins of Capernaum, where Jesus preached.
