20 Feb 26
Pilgrimages Around the World: Sacred Paths Beyond the Camino
When most people hear the word pilgrimage, they think of the Camino de Santiago. But pilgrimage is far older, far broader and far more universal than one trail in Spain.
Across continents and centuries, people have walked with intention. Toward shrines. Toward cathedrals. Toward mountain temples. Toward something within themselves.
At RAW Travel, we offer a collection of the world’s most meaningful pilgrimage walks, each with its own story, landscape and spirit.
If the Camino has sparked your curiosity, here are other remarkable pilgrim paths to consider.
🇯🇵 Kumano Kodo, Japan
Sacred Forest Trails Linking Ancient Shrines, Hidden deep in the mountains of Japan’s Kii Peninsula, the Kumano Kodo is one of only two UNESCO listed pilgrimage routes in the world.
For more than a thousand years, emperors and pilgrims have walked these moss lined forest trails to reach the Kumano Sanzan shrines. Stone steps wind through cedar forests. Mist clings to the hills. Small villages appear quietly along the way. The Kumano Kodo feels intimate and deeply spiritual. It is less about distance and more about atmosphere.
Explore our Kumano Kodo itineraries:
- Kumano Kodo: The Extended Trip – 10 Days – Self-guided: This itinerary offers a challenging and comprehensive journey along the Kumano Kodo | Hike the full length of the Nakahechi route | Enjoy a day on the challenging Kohechi route | Journey along the Kumano-gawa river in a traditional boat | Experience the life of a monk by staying in a Buddhist monastery in Koyasan.
- Kumano Kodo: In Depth with Mike Rhodes – 10 Days – Guided: Join expert guide Mike Rhodes and a small group of fellow travellers on an exciting Kumano Kodo walking adventure | Gain a great understanding of this ancient pilgrimage trail | Hike the full length of the Nakahechi trail | Journey along the Kumano-gawa river in a traditional boat | Stay in a Buddhist monastery in Koyasan.
- Kumano Kodo: The Highlights Trip – 6 Days – Self-guided: This Kumano Kodo Highlights itinerary is a great option for those who are a little short on time or who prefer to not walk the full length of the trail | Experience a traditional boat ride up the Kumano-gawa river, which offers a different perspective of Kumano’s spiritual landscape | Visit all three grand shrines that are collectively known as the Kumano Sanzan.
This is pilgrimage in its most elemental form. See more itineraries here.
🇯🇵Dewa Sanzan Pilgrimage, Japan
Discover the spiritual heart of Yamagata Prefecture on Dewa Sanzan, where the three sacred mountains – Haguro, Gassan and Yudono – invite travellers to walk in the footsteps of pilgrims and Yamabushi ascetics. For over a thousand years, these trails have inspired ritual purification, meditation and a deep connection with serene forests, moss-covered stones and sacred springs. Haguro enchants with its iconic cedar-lined path, Gassan offers sweeping alpine vistas, and Yudono reveals ancient, mysterious spiritual practices. Along the way, experience tranquil mountain temples, vibrant seasonal landscapes and the gentle rhythm of pilgrimage life.
Dewa Sanzan: The Pilgrimage Trail – 5 Days Guided: This 5-day guided itinerary invites you to follow in their footsteps. You’ll climb Yamadera’s 1015 stone steps, don traditional pilgrim robes for an ascent of Mount Haguro and walk historic pilgrimage trails leading to Mount Yudono, long considered the most sacred of all. Along the way, experience temple rituals, taste Buddhist shōjin-ryōri cuisine and unwind in carefully selected hot spring hotels and ryokan, combining authentic character with exceptional comfort. A true sense of cultural immersion. This pilgrimage is simply unforgettable.
🇳🇴 St Olav’s Way, Norway
Long before modern tourism, pilgrims travelled north across Scandinavia toward Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, the burial site of St Olav.
St Olav’s Way weaves through open farmland, quiet villages and expansive Nordic landscapes. It is peaceful, spacious and often surprisingly solitary.
There is a purity to this trail. Clean air. Big skies. Long light evenings in summer.
Explore our St Olav’s Way itineraries here:
St Olav’s Way: Dovre to Trondheim – 10 Days – Self-guided: Step back 1000 years into the stunning Norwegian wilderness on this 200km stretch of St Olav’s Way from Dovre to Trondheim. This pilgrimage through some of Norway’s most dramatic landscapes leads you to the resting place of Saint Olav, an 11th century Viking king who turned to christianity and was ultimately declared a saint.
For those seeking reflection away from the crowds, Norway offers a profound experience.
🇬🇧 The Cornish Camino, England
Pilgrimage has deep roots in Britain. The Cornish Camino is a modern interpretation of ancient Celtic Christian routes that once connected holy sites across Cornwall.
Clifftop paths. Harbour villages. Wind swept moors. Medieval churches tucked into rolling countryside.
It is shorter than some continental pilgrim routes, but rich in symbolism and story.
Explore our:
Cornish Camino – 15 Days – Self-guided: Treading the path of Saints, pilgrims, missionaries and drovers, the trail will lead you across untamed and rugged coastline, where the fierce, salty wind is invigorating and views demand to be captured in a photograph or quiet memory.
For those seeking a pilgrimage that showcases Celtic history as well as England’s stunning scenery, this is a compelling choice.
Pilgrimage is not about religion. It is about intention. Some walkers are motivated by faith. Others by life transitions, milestone birthdays, grief, curiosity or challenge. Undertaking a pilgrimage offers something rare in modern life: Time. Rhythm. Space to think. Space not to.
It strips travel back to something simple. One foot in front of the other. Choosing a pilgrim path with RAW Travel allows you to fully embrace the journey. Bags are transported to your next location. Your accomodation is picked to ensure you can relax after a full day of walking. Our App ensures you are on track the entire way. There is nothing else to do but walk. We have proudly cared for pilgrims on their path for nearly 15 years. Deciding to undertake a pilgrimage is rarely a spur of the moment decision. It lingers. It nudges. It waits patiently. When the time feels right, the path is there.
Explore our full collection of pilgrimage walks in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, UK, Japan or Norway and begin your journey.