10 Modern Pilgrimages to Try (and No, You Don't Have to be Religious) Thought you had to be religious to be a pilgrim? Think again. Featuring beginner-friendly walks and scenic month-long hikes, these spiritual trails offer exercise, adventure and immersion in nature. Epiphany, optional. 13 February, 2023

So we’ve picked 10 pilgrimage routes from around the world worthy of the long walk. Some are rooted in the world’s major religions, while others are simply about taking on a challenge and enjoying an authentic cultural experience.

A pilgrimage is a metaphor for life. And across the world, pilgrimages are booming. In 2023, a record-breaking 446,073 pilgrims walked the Camino de Santiago to the shrine of the Apostle St James. But this well-trodden path is merely the first among equals among the world’s great pilgrimage routes.

Whether you’re searching for spirituality or just a fantastic way to cleanse the soul and escape the hectic demands of modern life and all of those high tech distractions, these amazing pilgrimage routes across the globe are especially worthy of making the effort – and, the long walk might just change your life.

1. The Camino de Santiago: Spain. Starting Point: Variable. Ending Point: Santiago de Compostela. Distance: Variable depending on the pilgrimage route. Religion: Christian. History and Purpose.