Beyond the Camino: 10 Walking Pilgrimages You Haven't Heard Of

The World's Hidden Pilgrimages

While the Camino de Santiago draws hundreds of thousands annually, dozens of equally meaningful walking pilgrimages exist across the world — many far less crowded and equally transformative.

1. Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, Japan

A 1,200 km circuit of 88 Buddhist temples on the island of Shikoku. Takes 30-60 days on foot. Pilgrims (henro) wear traditional white vests and conical hats. The route follows in the footsteps of the monk Kūkai (774-835 CE).

2. Abraham Path, Middle East

A 1,000+ km route through Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, tracing the journey of Abraham/Ibrahim. Passes through villages where hospitality — the core Abrahamic virtue — is still practiced generously.

3. Char Dham, India

Four sacred sites in the Himalayas — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — visited in sequence. The full circuit was traditionally done on foot and takes several weeks at extreme altitude.

4. Via Francigena, Italy

Canterbury to Rome, 1,900 km through England, France, Switzerland, and Italy. Less known than the Camino but equally historic — it was one of the three great medieval pilgrimages alongside Santiago and Jerusalem.

5. Kumano Kodo, Japan

Ancient pilgrimage routes through the Kii Mountains south of Osaka. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, shared with the Camino. Only two pilgrimage networks hold this status.

6. Kora around Mount Kailash, Tibet

52 km at extreme altitude around the most sacred mountain in the world. Takes 1-3 days. Sacred to four religions.

7. Mount Sinai Night Climb, Egypt

3,750 steps climbed in darkness to arrive at the summit for sunrise. The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

8. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru

42 km over 4 days through cloud forest and Inca ruins to arrive at the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu at dawn.

9. Croagh Patrick, Ireland

Ireland's holy mountain, climbed by over 100,000 pilgrims annually, many barefoot. On Reek Sunday (last Sunday in July), up to 30,000 ascend in a single day.

10. Lalibela Circuit, Ethiopia

The 11 rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are connected by underground passages. Walking the circuit with white-robed pilgrims chanting ancient liturgy is deeply moving.