Recently updated on March 5th, 2025 at 02:58 pm
From the Pilgrims’ Way in England to the Baekdu-daegan Trail in South Korea, some of the best hiking holidays around the world take you across centuries-old pilgrimage routes. These pathways have felt the footsteps of thousands of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, and Muslims as they seek out enlightenment, repentance, or to simply praise their gods, saints, and deities. When you’re planning your next global outdoor adventure, one of the best walking holidays you can take is on a religious roadway.
Camino de Santiago | Spain
Unlike many pilgrimage routes, the Camino de Santiago is not one but a collection of routes. This network, also known as the Way of St. James, is ends in Northern Spain at Santiago de Compostela where the remains of St. James rest. Route options are as diverse as the pilgrims that walk them, though you should be prepared to walk between 7 and 30 days to complete the pilgrimage proper. For instance, one of the best hiking holidays could easily be the challenging 500 mile “French Road” trek from the French border while the more manageable route, the English Way, is the best walking holiday for those who feel more comfortable with a 74 mile jaunt across Spain.
From Barcelona to Madrid, discover the end of the camino pilgrimage on Trafalgar’s Northern Spain tour. This 11 day tour includes a visit to the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela.
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Pilgrims’ Way | England
An ancient route linking Winchester to Canterbury, the Pilgrims’ Way is 246 km (153 mile) first walked in 1172 AD as pilgrims ventured to the burial site of the martyr, St. Thomas Becket. Though the city was already a popular site for its religious significance, his death dramatically increased the number of pilgrims visiting Canterbury. It shares mostly the same route as the North Downs Way; those with restless legs can complete the largely flat trek in two weeks, stopping in bed and breakfasts or pubs to rest their soles.
Visit more Christian sites on Trafalgar’s Best of Italy tour which includes a visit to Vatican City.
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Char Dham Yatra | India
Linking together four holy temples, the Char Dham Yatra is one of the most popular pilgrimages in India. For Hindus to attain absolute peace of mind, they must complete a pilgrimage to sacred places in Uttarakhand: Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath. This is actually a modified version of the original Char Dham Yatra, which included the sites Puri, Dwarka, Badrinath, and Rameshwaram, all located in four separate corners of India. It’s one of the best walking holidays in India, even for those who don’t practice Hinduism, as it literally immerses travelers in Hindu culture through purifying in the River Ganges.
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Adam’s Peak | Sri Lanka
On the island of Sri Lanka, elephants, tea estates, and a tropical rainforest surround the base of Adam’s Peak. Though not the tallest mountain in the country, Adam’s Peak, also called Sri Pada or the Holy Footprint, is considered sacred by followers of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Even the indigenous inhabitants of the country once worshiped the peak, so it’s no surprise that people from all walks of life are welcome to scale Sri Lanka’s fifth-highest peak.
Most begin the climb at night so that they can reach the peak at daybreak. December through May is when you’ll find most travelers making the pilgrimage, and although the crowds may deter you, it’s recommended. The high season is when the 5,000+ steps are illuminated and all-night tea shops open their doors to tired travelers tackling the trek. But if you’re feeling your best on this walking holiday and your calves are game, you can take even longer routes to the top from Dalhousie or Palabaddale.
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Maximize your adventure in Asia by adding a night in Hiroshima and Takayama Festival celebration to our 13 day Splendors of Japan tour.
Mount Kailash Pilgrimage | Tibet
While the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage requires an uphill journey, the Mount Kailash pilgrimage in Tibet prohibits such a climb. Mt. Kailash is considered a holy mountain in multiple religions, particularly in Hinduism and Buddhism. Hindus believe that the god Shiva lives atop the peak and Buddists believe the mountain is the navel of the universe. Instead of climbing the mountain, pilgrims respect the mountain’s sacred status and honor it by completing a 32-mile walk around it. Although the hike is generally on the same altitude level and terrain, there are few amenities surrounding it beyond monasteries. Mount Kailash is difficult to access, requires permits to hike, and closes periodically because of political, health, and safety reasons.
See more of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountains when you join Trafalgar’s Switzerland and Austria tour. This 13 day excursion keeps the Alps in focus as you explore Alpine Innsburck, Zermatt, the Brünig Pass, and more.
Have you completed any religious pilgrimages? Share tips with other travelers in the comments below!