14 Popular Pilgrimage Routes Around the World

The northernmost pilgrimage route in the world is located in scenic Norway. The St. Olavsleden extends from one side of the Scandinavian to the other, spanning 580 kilometers (or just over 360 miles). There are several trails to follow, so you can choose to start at a closer to Trondheim, it's end point, or start as far away as Selånger in Sweden, it's farthest starting point. Travelers can hike, bike, or ride horses along the historic path named after King Olav Haraldsson, who is credited with Christianizing Scandinavia during the era of the Vikings and is now the patron saint of Norway. The end point is a visit to the Nidaros Cathedral, some of which dates back to the 1100s and is built over the saint's grave. Travelers today take the route to see a new view of Norway's stunning natural wonders, as well as to exercise their bodies and their faith.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is easily the most recognizable national trail in the United States, and its massive length draws travelers from around the world to trek parts of it each year. While it isn't a historic missionary trail as so many started in Europe, many consider hiking the Appalachian Trail not only a test of physical strength, but also spiritual strength. The trail spans a stunning 14 different states across 2,198 miles and welcomes three million hikers each year, though only the strongest and best prepared can consider hiking its entire length.

The Kumano Kodo is a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers over a thousand years as a spiritual pilgrimage route in Honshu Prefecture, Japan. Comprising seven trails in an area known for its connection to the spiritual world, the Kumano Kodo has been trekked by kings, monks and normal people searching for enlightenment since the late 700s CE. The route visits three Kumano Sanzan shrines, as well as 99 Oji shrines interspersed throughout. The route is also a great example of the thousand-year connection between Japanese Buddhism and Shintoism, which were once intertwined as a singular faith unit called Shinbutsu-shugo before being separated in the 1800s.

El Camino de Santiago, also known in English as The Way of St. James, is quite possible the world's most popular pilgrimage route. Beginning in either Portugal, France or somewhere in Spain, El Camino has welcomed and continues to welcome travelers, pilgrims and hikers from around the world for centuries. Ending in Santiago de Compostela, Spain where St. James is buried, El Camino is a beautiful pilgrimage route that has attracted people for both religious and secular reasons. No matter which one a traveler chooses, they'll be certain to walk across scenic pastoral landscapes, pass through welcoming villages and enjoy a range of accommodation options each night, ranging from hostels and monasteries to hotels.

The Appian Way, like the Appalchian Trail, isn't often connected with religious pilgrimages or hiked for spiritual purposes, but it is one of the oldest roads on this list! Built in the 300s BC, it was Europe's first-ever highway and was built for the Roman military to connect Rome to Naples, then Brindisi. Today, the first ten miles of the road are located in a protected park called Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica. The Appian Way is a great walk for travelers who don't have the stamina or the time to dedicate an entire trip to walking along an ancient route or pilgrimage path. It's also a wonder that the road is over two thousands years old and continues to be walked upon each day!

The Trans-Bhutan Trail recently reopened for the first time in decades to travelers with approved guides or for tour groups, and it's often considered a life-changing, spiritual and cultural experience. Beginning or ending in Transhigang, the whole of the trail typically takes about 30 days to complete, though you can choose to walk only a portion of it to make it shorter. The trail stops along the path of religious sites and local villages, and allows for travelers to begin to appreciate and understand Bhutan, which is rated one of the happiest countries on the planet.

The St. Magnus Way is considered one of the best ways to see much of Orkney in Scotland. It's a historical pilgrimage path with six different routes around the island, inspired by the story of St. Magnus, the island's patron saint. The 58-mile walk offers some of the best ways to view Orkney in all its stark glory, as well as meet fellow travelers who, for religious reasons or not, have come to trek the path. The route's official website provides plentiful resources, including its very own app.

The Inca Trail is an extensive, mountainous network of preserved ancient roads that once helped to unify the Inca Empire during its height. Today, new trekkers can book guided tours and experienced trekkers can head out solo or with a personal guide to experience these challenging roads for themselves. Many travelers will book tours that include the hike from Cusco to Machu Picchu, Peru's most iconic landmark, though travelers can choose to trek even more challenging paths to other archaeological sites in the surrounding Andes. While it's not a religious walk, travelers can find themselves testing their strength of body and spirit while hiking the ancient roads.

The North Wales Pilgrim's Way, also known as the Welsh Camino, is a 130-mile trek following some of the oldest Christian monuments and churches in Wales. The route begins at Basingwerk Abbey, which dates back to the 1100s, then ends with a ferry to Bardsey Island, where the earliest Christian pilgrims in the area considered a sanctuary. The island is nicknamed "Island of 20,000 Saints" because of its historic popularity with pilgrims, and today it's a National Nature Preserve and Dark Sky Preserve. Bardsley offers day trip options and houses for rent for longer stays, though potential pilgrims should know that the enchanting island does not have electricity. It's a perfect path to trek for travelers wanting to disconnect from the material world.

Abraham's Path may not be as well-known as El Camino or the Kumano Kodo, but it holds special significance for the three major religions of the world, and today is a wonderful path for travelers of all faiths and spiritualities to discover. It's whole length is over 1,000 kilometers, just over 621 miles, making this trek not for the faint of heart. It begins in Şanlıurfa, Turkey and passes through places that hold around nine thousand years of history, including Göbeklitepe, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered some of the oldest man-made structures in the world. The trail continues to follow Roman, Assyrian and Babylonian history before ending in Najaf, Iraq, near the site of the ancient city of Babylon. Today, travelers are advised to hire a local guide to get the full history of the places they'll visit while trekking the long route.

Another important pilgrimage route in Japan is located in Shikoku, the smallest of the country's four main islands. The Shikoku Henro, or the "88 pilgrimage" was established by the founder of Shingon Buddhism and offers 1,200 years of history, along with 88 different temples to visit along the route. It takes about 45 days to walk the path, but many choose to do this instead of ride in a car, bike or ride a motorcycle, as it is the traditional method. The route passes through much of the island and offers a great experience for fit travelers to stay in traditional Japanese lodgings, take in historic temples, enjoy local foods and Shikoku's natural wonders all at once.

Travelers wanting to discover Europe by foot might enjoy the historic Via Francigena, a Roman road that became an important path for the Lombards as they competed for power in Europe. Today, it's on UNESCO's tentative list of world heritage sites and offers travelers a great way to experience the wonders of Europe on foot. Pilgrims centuries ago would use the road to get from northern or western Europe to Rome, and today modern travelers can do the same, starting in the U.K., France or Switzerland. The path treks over 3,000 kilometers, which is equivalent to over 1,864 miles, making it easily one of the longest pilgrimage routes on this list.

St. Finbarr's Way is a pilgrimage route in Ireland, beginning in Drimoleague to St. Finbarr's Hermitage in Gougane Barra. It's one of the shortest pilgrimage routes on this list, able to be completed in two days' time while walking. The 35 km trek is just over 21 miles and offers travelers a lovely historic trip and short spiritual journey for travelers who have less time or want to dip their toes into the world of walking. The path has been a route since the early medieval period, but was reopened in 2009 with better waymarking.

Located in the southern portion of Turkey, along the Mediterranean Sea, is a newer path that connects some of the world's oldest human-made landmarks and towns. The Pisidia Heritage Trail stretches 350 kilometers, or just over 217 miles, bringing travelers into contact with ancient ruins, archaeological sites and natural canyons and old-growth forests. The path also partially intersects with the St. Paul Trail, which is the route the apostle took on his missions. The route is not an easy one, but it's sure to bring travelers closer to both human history and the wonders of the natural world.