Walking is a great way to explore and travel, opening up many new opportunities for discovery and showing unique sights. Across Europe, there is a vast array of routes providing the perfect opportunity for walkers to see historical or natural paths first-hand.
If you want to know some of our favourite options, keep reading. These routes can help you plan your next adventure.
The Camino de Santiago is an extensive network of ancient pilgrimage routes that stretch across Europe, and attract approximately 440,000 hikers each year. This incredible web of pilgrim trails stretches from the French Pyrenees to the Basque Coast, giving you a variety of places to start from.
The routes all meet at the tomb of St James, located in Santiago de Compostela. While the routes lead through France, Spain, and Portugal, we recommend the 485-mile Camino Frances trail. This route begins in Saint Jean Pied de Port, crossing over the Pyrenees into Spain, and then heads through the vineyards of La Rioja, followed by La Meseta and Galicia.
Fancy a walking holiday closer to home? Towards the north of England, you’ll find Hadrian’s Wall, which stretches across the country. At 84 miles long, it starts in Wallsend and ends in Bowness-on-Solway (or vice versa).
Along the trail, you’ll pass through some truly extraordinary sights, like rolling fields and rugged landscapes, alongside the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle. To avoid the wet weather making the journey more difficult, we recommend travelling between May and October. You should also decide whether you want to start in the East or the West. If you head westward, you’ll go in the direction the wall was built, but it can be a more difficult walk.
For a true challenge, you might want to take the Via Francigena. This historic pilgrimage route starts in Canterbury, England and heads to Rome and Santa Maria di Leuca. At over 1,800 miles long, it’s an incredible route that uses mountain paths, mule tracks, rural roads, and dirt paths.
Along your journey, you’ll also encounter an array of towns, cities, and even countries. Of course, to cross the whole way, you'll need proper documentation, including a travel passport. We also recommend getting ‘The Pilgrim’s Credential’, as this Pilgrim’s passport demonstrates proof of your journey. As you travel along the route, you can collect stamps from tourist offices, parishes, accommodations, and dining establishments to confirm completed stages. Not only does this produce an unforgettable keepsake of your incredible journey, but the 8 Euros also helps to support and maintain the Via Francigena Associations, while giving you exclusive benefits. These benefits include discounted rates at various hostels, restaurants, and transport along the route.
Medieval pilgrimages on the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is an extensive network of ancient pilgrimage routes that stretch across Europe, and attract approximately 440,000 hikers each year. This incredible web of pilgrim trails stretches from the French Pyrenees to the Basque Coast, giving you a variety of places to start from.
The routes all meet at the tomb of St James, located in Santiago de Compostela. While the routes lead through France, Spain, and Portugal, we recommend the 485-mile Camino Frances trail. This route begins in Saint Jean Pied de Port, crossing over the Pyrenees into Spain, and then heads through the vineyards of La Rioja, followed by La Meseta and Galicia.
Walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path in Northern England
Fancy a walking holiday closer to home? Towards the north of England, you’ll find Hadrian’s Wall, which stretches across the country. At 84 miles long, it starts in Wallsend and ends in Bowness-on-Solway (or vice versa).
Along the trail, you’ll pass through some truly extraordinary sights, like rolling fields and rugged landscapes, alongside the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle. To avoid the wet weather making the journey more difficult, we recommend travelling between May and October. You should also decide whether you want to start in the East or the West. If you head westward, you’ll go in the direction the wall was built, but it can be a more difficult walk.
Travel the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome
For a true challenge, you might want to take the Via Francigena. This historic pilgrimage route starts in Canterbury, England and heads to Rome and Santa Maria di Leuca. At over 1,800 miles long, it’s an incredible route that uses mountain paths, mule tracks, rural roads, and dirt paths.
Along your journey, you’ll also encounter an array of towns, cities, and even countries. Of course, to cross the whole way, you'll need proper documentation, including a travel passport. We also recommend getting ‘The Pilgrim’s Credential’, as this Pilgrim’s passport demonstrates proof of your journey. As you travel along the route, you can collect stamps from tourist offices, parishes, accommodations, and dining establishments to confirm completed stages. Not only does this produce an unforgettable keepsake of your incredible journey, but the 8 Euros also helps to support and maintain the Via Francigena Associations, while giving you exclusive benefits. These benefits include discounted rates at various hostels, restaurants, and transport along the route.
What about you, have you ever been on a walking tour in Europe? Feel free to share any tips & advice below!
