8 epic pilgrimage trails around the world, from the Camino de Santiago to Kumano Kodo

Covering 643 kilometres from Oslo to Trondheim, this medieval path honours King Olav II Haraldsson, who died in battle in 1030 and was later canonised. The route passes through pine forests, farmland and past Viking sites before ending at Nidaros Cathedral, Northern Europe’s largest medieval church. Pilgrims once walked the trail seeking healing at Olav’s shrine. Today, marked paths and waystations revive the journey, and summer travellers often meet a mix of hikers, clergy and cultural historians along the way.

Good for: travellers who are after quiet landscapes and Scandinavian history

Once the main route for medieval pilgrims travelling from Canterbury to Rome, the Via Francigena covered nearly 2,000 kilometres across Europe. In Italy, the trail moves through Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany before reaching St Peter’s Basilica. Noted in the 10th-century diary of Archbishop Sigeric of Canterbury, it includes Roman roads, medieval hospitals and fortress towns. The Tuscan stretch is particularly striking, with vineyards and cypress groves framing hilltop towns such as San Gimignano and Siena. Modern walkers can complete sections over weeks or join shorter guided journeys.

Good for: food and wine lovers who want to walk through Italy’s heritage landscapes.

This 1,200-kilometre circuit across Shikoku Island links 88 temples connected to the monk Kūkai, founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. Pilgrims traditionally dressed in white robes and conical hats, carrying a staff to symbolise Kūkai’s presence. Today, some still walk all four prefectures, a journey that can take six to eight weeks, though many also use buses or bicycles. Encounters with osettai—acts of kindness from locals such as free meals or lodging—are an integral part of the experience.

Good for: travellers seeking deep immersion in Japanese culture and spiritual traditions

Designated a Unesco World Heritage site, the Kumano Kodo is one of only two pilgrimage networks in the world recognised by Unesco, alongside the Camino de Santiago. Routes wind through Wakayama’s cedar forests, terraced rice paddies and hot spring towns, converging at the Kumano Sanzan, three sacred Shinto shrines. Historically, emperors and aristocrats braved the rugged terrain as early as the 10th century, seeking divine favour. Today, a dual pilgrim passport system allows walkers to link the Camino and the Kumano Kodo as “dual pilgrims”.

Good for: hikers who want a blend of nature, tradition and manageable distances.

Considered the centre of the universe in several religions, Mount Kailash is revered without ever being summited. Instead, devotees complete the 52-kilometre kora, or circumambulation, around its base. The trail, usually completed in three days, ascends to the Dolma La pass at 5,630 metres, where prayer flags mark the crossing. Tibetan Buddhists believe that completing 108 circuits ensures enlightenment, while even a single lap is thought to erase a lifetime of sins. Its remoteness requires preparation, with most access routed through Nepal.

Good for: seasoned trekkers comfortable with altitude and harsh conditions

Each year during Holy Week, as many as 30,000 pilgrims walk to El Santuario de Chimayó in northern New Mexico. The tradition dates back to the early 19th century, when the church became associated with miraculous healings thanks to its “holy dirt”. Some pilgrims set out from Santa Fe, about 48 kilometres away, while others travel hundreds of kilometres over several days, reflecting the blend of Catholic devotion and local Hispanic and Native traditions. The journey takes place against a backdrop of desert mesas and adobe villages, making it one of North America’s most distinctive religious walks.

Good for: cultural travellers interested in faith traditions unique to the American Southwest

High in the Peruvian Andes, the Qoyllur Rit’i, meaning “Snow Star”, pilgrimage takes place each June, drawing tens of thousands of Quechua pilgrims to the Sinakara Valley at over 4,600 metres. Rooted in both Catholic and Incan traditions, the festival honours the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i, a Christ figure linked with mountain deities and fertility rituals. Pilgrims walk from nearby towns, many carrying elaborate crosses, before joining days of music, dance and ritual at the foot of the Ausangate glacier. The event reflects the syncretism of Andean spirituality and remains one of South America’s most vibrant living traditions.

Good for: those interested in indigenous culture and high-altitude celebrations of faith

Pilgrimage trails continue to draw people across continents, each route offering its own mix of history, landscape and tradition. Whether through Europe’s medieval paths, Japan’s temple circuits or the deserts of New Mexico, these journeys remain among the most compelling ways to experience a place.

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