From Norway to Tibet: the other paths of Sant Jaume

BarcelonaYou no longer need extreme faith to begin a pilgrimage route; all you need is to let yourself be carried along by the path and a desire to walk with a purpose: to get away from the noise, reconnect with the silence, and, above all, enjoy every step. The 21st-century pilgrim may no longer seek miracles, but rather calm and connection. That's why more and more people are encouraged to walk ancient routes with fresh eyes, not so much to reach a sanctuary but to experience the journey, because, once again, the journey is the path.

Beyond the classic Camino de Santiago, the world is full of sacred paths or trails steeped in symbolism that pass through spectacular landscapes, historic towns, and temples lost in the mountains. From the heart of Europe to the peaks of Tibet, seven spiritual routes await you, traversing countries, silences, landscapes, and emotions. Perhaps you won't change the world, but the path may change you.

Via Francigena, in Europe

The Via Francigena is a walking journey through the history of Europe. It begins in Canterbury, in southern England, and travels more than 2,000 km to St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. The route passes through small French villages with street markets, vineyards, and medieval abbeys; it crosses the Swiss Alps between mountain passes and cold lakes; and enters Tuscany, among olive groves, hills, and walled cities like Lucca and Siena. It is a slow and profound experience, accompanied by the taste of freshly baked bread, the scent of wet earth, and the distant echo of bells. Vindicated in the 1980s and declared a European Cultural Route, the Via Francigena is now alive again. And those who walk it are unlikely to forget it.

Inca Trail, in Peru

Following the Inca Trail is literally walking in the footsteps of Peru's ancient inhabitants. For four days and 39 kilometers, the route advances along cobblestone paths that cross mountains, tropical forests, and ruins half-hidden by vegetation: Llactapata, Sayacmarca, Wiñayhuayna... The altitude, between 2,000 and 4,000 meters, is noticeable, but the effort is left with a landscape of beauty and pure silence. The culmination comes at dawn on the last day of the journey when Machu Picchu can be seen from Intipunku, the Gate of the Sun, the place where the Incas entered the citadel. There is also a shorter two-day version, more affordable and family-friendly, but likewise Exciting. The Inca Trail is a journey steeped in history, spirituality, and nature, and is considered one of the best in the world.

Kumano Kodo, in Japan

Between mist-shrouded mountains and forests of ancient trees, the Kumano Kodo unfolds a network of ancient trails that for over a thousand years have guided pilgrims—including emperors—to the holy shrines of Kumano. These routes, which cross the Kii Peninsula, are much more than paths: they are spaces of spiritual purification, silence, and contemplation. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are the only pilgrimage, along with the Camino de Santiago, to have this recognition.

The Nakahechi, the most popular route, links Tanabe with Kumano Sanzan and passes between small villages with traditional accommodations. The Kohechi, more rugged and solitary, connects Koyasan with Kumano via mountain passes over 1,000 meters high. If you prefer the sea, the Ohechi offers spectacular views of the Pacific. And the Iseji follows the eastern coast with a wide variety of mountain passes, bamboo forests, rice paddies, and beaches. Walking the Kumano Kodo is like losing yourself and finding yourself in an intimate and sacred Japan.

Kailash Kora, in Tibet

They say that circumnavigating Mount Kailash changes you forever. You don't need to climb to the top: just walk around it, step by step, at an altitude of over 5,000 meters, your heart beating fast and your breath shortening. It's 52 kilometers that can be completed in three days and that test your humility, silence, and trust as you cross the Dolma La Pass at 5,650 meters, Lake Manasorovar, and the Dirapuk and Zutulpuk monasteries. This sacred mountain in Tibet welcomes Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and good people—since they all consider it sacred for some reason—but also travelers seeking something they can't express in words. Kailash Kora is considered a cleansing of the soul and is an experience that is etched in the body and memory like the icy wind that blows or the banners that flutter on the mountain's peaks. There, between the rock and the sky, everything takes on another dimension.

On the way to Mount Athos, Greece

Mount Athos is a mountainous peninsula in northern Greece, a place where Orthodox tradition permeates every corner and the silence is almost sacred. The pilgrimage routes that surround it traverse wild, unspoiled landscapes, among lush forests, cliffs that plunge into the Aegean Sea, and secluded coves. On these trails, pilgrims follow in the footsteps of monks who for centuries have retreated to a life of prayer, contemplation, and asceticism. The twenty monasteries that dot Mount Athos are true testaments to faith and history, with impressive architecture that has changed little since the Middle Ages. The city of Karies, the peninsula's administrative and religious center, and the Monastery of Agios Panteleimon, a Russian tradition, are just some of the highlights along the route. Access is restricted to men, and every day a privileged few receive permission to cross this sacred threshold. Walking on Mount Athos is an inner journey that invites spirituality, stillness, and connection with a world where time seems to stand still, surrounded by unspoiled nature and deep devotion.

St. Olaf's Way, Norway

Norway's most important pilgrimage route is a path that leaves its mark. With a network of more than 5,000 km, the St. Olaf's Way connects places linked to the Viking king, who brought Christianity to the Nordic countries more than a millennium ago. From Oslo or Sweden, the paths converge at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, where St. Olaf's remains lie. But beyond devotion, the main 643 kilometers of this route pass through solitary forests, fjords with calm waters, and villages where silence seems sacred. Walking the St. Olaf's Way is discovering a setting where nature and faith intertwine. The route can be done not only on foot but also by bicycle or kayak, exploring the Aland Islands or sailing through the Norwegian fjords. Every step is a bridge between past and present, between man and land, where the legacy of Saint Olaf—considered the patron saint of Norway—is present in every corner.

St. Patrick's Way, Ireland

The St. Patrick's Way is a 132-km journey connecting Armagh and Downpatrick, the two cities most closely linked to the patron saint of Ireland. It begins at Navan Fort, at the gates of Armagh, and passes through gentle landscapes, rural trails, and villages steeped in history until reaching Down Cathedral, the place where the saint is believed to be buried. It is a marked route, designed to be completed on foot in 6 to 10 days, and can be completed with a Pilgrim's Passport, which is stamped at ten points along the route and entitles you to a final certificate. The experience combines spirituality, nature, and local culture: walking in the same places as St. Patrick is a way to reconnect with the roots of an island that breathes legend with every step.