Other Camino Trails & Alternative Pilgrimage Routes

Sacred 'jizo' carvings on the Dainichi Goe, Kumano Kodo

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Other Camino Trails

This article is designed for pilgrims who have already walked the Camino de Santiago trail and are looking for a different Camino route for an alternative pilgrimage experience.

The majority of people who walk the Camino de Santiago do so along the Camino Frances trail, which is an 800km trail starting in St Jean Pied de Port. And of this trail, most pilgrims walk from Sarria to Santiago because it's the minimum distance required to earn the Compostela (Pilgrim's Certificate).

Does this sound like you? If you've already walked the Camino de Santiago and entered the holy city of Santiago de Compostela, had a great experience (of course you did!), you're probably looking for alternative Camino trails to walk.

Well, you're in the right place! Join us as we describe other Camino trails and different pilgrimage routes to explore in Italy, Japan, France, and beyond.

The road markers and other signs make it easier for self guided walkers on the Via Francigena

Via Francigena Route (Switzerland & Italy)

One of the world’s most rewarding walking trails, the historic Via Francigena is an ancient road and pilgrim’s route stretching more than a thousand kilometres through Switzerland and Italy, finishing up in the Eternal City of Rome.

At UTracks, we offer the Full Via Francigena tour that stretches from the Great St Bernard Pass in Switzerland to Rome in Italy. We admit this epic 50 day tour isn't for everyone (it's actually the longest tour we have!) and we've broken the Via Francigena up into more achievable sections. The most popular route is from Orvieto to Rome, which qualifies you for the Testimonium (Italy's equivalent of the Compostela).

In Switzerland, walking the initial stretch from the Great St Bernard Pass to Ivrea in Italy, is an exceptional way to experience walking in the Alps.

> View all of the Via Francigena self guided and small group tours.

Walkers on the route from La Verna to Caprese Michelangelo

St Francis Way (Italy)

Another pilgrimage route in Italy, the St Francis Way is an Italian Camino route inspired by the life of St Francis of Assisi. It connects the Renaissance town of Florence with Rome and rewards pilgrims with a picturesque section through eastern Tuscany and northern Umbria, the ‘green heart’ of Italy.

The St Francis Way is a multi stage walk and we offer attainable self guided walking options.

> View all of the St Francis Way self guided tours.

Hosshinmon-oji, a gate of spiritual awaking on the Kumano Kodo hike

Kumano Kodo (Japan)

Take a break from Europe and try the Kumano Kodo, Japan's version of the Camino de Santiago. It's actually recognised as a sister trail, and pilgrims of both can become certified as Dual Pilgrims.

There's a self guided walking tour and small group guided walking tour run by World Expeditions and explores one of Japan’s most remote, forested mountain landscapes and home to the centuries old pilgrimage trails leading to the three Grand Shrines of Kumano.

> View Kumano Kodo tours.

French Way of St James (France)

The French Way of St James is a pilgrimage route that connects France with the Camino Frances (the Camino Frances is in Spain, confusing we know!). It follows an ancient path from Le Puy en Velay to St Jean Pied de Port and explores many of the prettiest French villages. This alternate Camino trail is often regarded as the most spectacular of the Camino routes as it rewards hikers with some of the most scenic parts of France.

Note that this Camino trail is also called the Via Podiensis and the Way of Le Puy. UTracks offers a comprehensive range of self guided and guided walking tours as well as culinary tours and cycling tours.

> View all of the French Way of St James tours.

Hiking along the Kerry Way | <i>Arthur Ward</i>

Wicklow Way (Ireland)

The Wicklow Way is an inspiring route along Ireland's oldest walking trail, from Laragh to Dublin. The Wicklow Way explores unspoilt trails, remote scenery, lakes, glacial valleys, forests and gentle farmland. Starting in southwest County Wicklow the route passes through rural communities, old market towns and grand estates on its way to the bright lights of Dublin.

> View the Wicklow Way self guided walking tour.

> View our highly rated Camino tours here.
> Find out more Camino information, including FAQs, videos and traveller stories, here.
>> Download our free Camino Guidebook.
>> Join the UTracks Active Travel Community.

Have you walked any of these alternative pilgrimage trails? Let us know in the comment section if you have, or if you have any other Camino routes to add to the UTracks range.

Camino, Camino tours, Camino de Santiago, Alternative Camino trails, Other Camino routes, Different Camino tours, Via Francigena, St Francis Way, French Way of St James, Kumano Kodo, Wicklow Way

Comments (2)

Daniel

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last year

Daniel

If you are interested in visiting Spain but want to stay off the beaten path and seek a more sustainable route through a hidden and unexplored Spain, we have built custom packages through rural hidden Spain. Instead of arriving to a Cathedral with 5000 others, check us out if you want to find a Road Less Traveled through an undiscovered Spain. Contact us if this sounds interesting.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089193278784

www.spainoffthebeatenpath.net