Alternatives to the Camino for Long-Distance Walking
If the thought of long-distance walking gives you an exhilarating thrill and feeds your adventurous spirit - I’m with you! Besides being one of the growing trends in active tourism, there is an irresistible allure to spending time outdoors, walking through natural beauty, and learning about a place on foot. Europe in particular, boasts a remarkable network of meticulously designed paths that weave and wind across the continent and has long embraced the culture of long-distance walking and thru-hiking.
Table of Contents
What is Thru Hiking? What is a pilgrimage? Is this hiking or walking, or what?
Penultimate Long-distance Walking: The Camino de Santiago
Camino Alternatives for Thru Hiking Abroad
Long Distance Walking Benefits
Well-Being Science Behind Long-distance Walking Benefits
7 Long-distance Walking Journeys on My Shortlist
How to DIY Your Thru Hiking Experience
Thru Hiking Your Way
What is Thru hiking? What is a pilgrimage? Is this hiking or walking, or what?
I am admittedly new to my multi-day walking passion. I’ve hiked, walked, and ran my fair share of kilometres, predominantly in my beautiful province of British Columbia but the concept of travelling internationally to walk for days has captivated me. Followers also know I love travel research and I've spent considerable time in front of the computer or flipping through travel books being both inspired and overwhelmed by the information, descriptions and options. (And the irony of extended sitting while I research long-distance walking is not lost on me!)
To aid in internet searching, I found it helpful to search for a variety of terms that describe long-distance walking including thru-hiking, inn-to-inn hiking or walking, and pilgrimage.
Thru hiking trails
The act of hiking an established long-distance trail in one direction from point to point. For example, hiking the Cotswolds from Chipping Camden to Bath.
I happen to LOVE this definition simply because I hate backtracking! Hate is too strong a word but I have been known to go out of my way to avoid out-and-back travel. Even when picking up my kids from school I turned the drive across town into a loop!
Inn-to-Inn hiking or walking
A multi-day journey where you hike every day from one accommodation to another. The accommodations might be alpine meadow huts or charming bed and breakfast inns. The hike can be designed yourself but often is a curated self-guided tour.
Much like thru-hiking trails, this is the concept I tried to copy for my first solo journey on the Vancouver Island Trail. I was forced to get creative when finding accommodations close to the trail and ended up camping for one night. Trails in places like Europe, on the other hand, have walking traditions and policies like “freedom to roam” allowing public access to the wilderness which makes inn-to-inn hiking routes easier to plan!
Pilgrimage
A pursuit or quest associated with religious belief or a notion of what is sacred. The more secular version is a journey full of intention and meaning. Think Camino de Santiago.
I am a proponent of journeys full of meaning and believe that any kind of travel (walking or not) will benefit from intention! The concept of pilgrimage is deep. One of my favourite podcast hosts and author Jo Frances Penn writes that she ignored her call to pilgrimage for years. Many episodes of her podcast series, Books and Travel, follow her exploration of a secular pilgrimage described as an outer journey toward a place that has personal meaning, but also an inner exploration.
Penultimate Long-distance Walking: The Camino de Santiago
Where I live, if you mention your interest in long-distance walking to anyone, they will likely ask if you’ve done or will be doing the Camino de Santiago. Also known as the Way of St. James, the Camino is a pilgrimage deeply rooted in Christianity. There is a belief that the remains of the apostle Saint James lie in the cathedral in Santiago and the tradition since the 9th Century is that people walk from wherever they live across Western Europe to the cathedral to bear witness and deepen their devotion.
The Camino de Santiago is popular!
It is one of the most famous pilgrimages in the world and continues to surge in popularity. From 280,000 registered walkers in 2016 to 440,000 walkers who completed at least 100km of the Camino in 2023.
In essence, the Camino de Santiago is a long-distance thru-hike where you stay in hostels called albergues or local hotels each night. It has a very well-established infrastructure (for over 1000 years!) of places to eat and stay that support pilgrims along the way. Some people still complete the journey for religious reasons, but now, secular walkers are in the mix with intentions that range from inner spiritual journeys to physical achievement to a slow taste of Spanish and Portuguese culture and history.
I would also suspect that there are a few FOMO pilgrims…people who have the “fear of missing out” given the popularity of the journey and the enticing marketing efforts of related businesses.
Camino Alternatives for Thru Hiking Abroad
1% of the Via de la Plata complete! 😉
I have not embarked on a Camino pilgrimage - yet! I laugh at myself as I often feel a bit of FOMO along with a strong streak to do things differently! Is it a call to pilgrimage or am I anxious that I’m missing out?
I have walked a small section of the longest Camino route called Via de la Plata which is 1000km long. I embarked from the imposing and glorious Cathedral in Sevilla and set out to Italica, an ancient Roman city 10km outside the city. So I guess I can say I completed 1% of the Via de la Plata! I was also very Camino-aware during my stay in Portugal, delightfully spotting the iconic clamshell that marks the route. Despite being intrigued, I’m either not ready or not yet committed enough to make my own “official” Camino happen.
I certainly can’t and won’t tell you what your first or next long-distance walk should be - that’s your job. What I can do is share some self-reflection and research as I find my next walking journey.
Long Distance Walking Benefits
If you’ve read any of my other articles, you’ll know that I’m an advocate for travelling with intention. Travel with intention has a foothold in purpose, and we know that living with purpose is good for us. The magic comes when you set an intention and use it as a touchstone for planning your travel experience: what to say yes and no to, even deciding where to go, and who to go with.
At the time of writing this, I’m still a fairly new long-distance walker. I need a filter to help say NO to some walks and YES to others. My criteria is that the journey needs to align with why I want to walk.
I want to walk:
Because I know I can and am grateful. I don’t take my physical abilities for granted and want to walk for as long as I am able. And in doing so truly believe that walking will help enable me to be healthier for longer!
To slow down and deeply experience my surroundings. Walking brings me closer to a place, stimulates all my senses, and connects me intimately with the land and culture. I love the pace of being on foot: unhurried, unregulated, wonderfully individualized.
For the perspective! When I’m moving on foot, the focus becomes more on the journey and less on the destination. Soaring over the land in a plane or hurtling past in a train or car might get me to more destinations but misses out on the magic that lies between destinations.
To feed an authentic curiosity to learn. As my body moves, my mind absorbs the stories of past cultures as I slowly pass through a place. The idea of following the footsteps of past civilizations feels like living history.
Because I know from experience (and from research) that walking is great for my well-being!
And if I’m being really honest, a couple of caveats: I’m not looking to camp but don’t need to travel in luxury; I prefer flat terrain to mountains; and I require easy access to good food and coffee!
If you are looking for long-distance walking shoes, check out my post: Best Boot Buying Tips for Long Distance Hike
Well-Being Science Behind Long-distance Walking Benefits
Long-distance walking is an ancient activity practiced across cultures for many reasons. One obvious reason is for physical health. Some people consider long-distance walking a form of psychotherapy.
An interesting study from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health analyzed the mental health benefits of long-distance walking. They concluded that what could be considered therapeutic comes from the combination of physical activity and time spent in nature. This is Green Exercise (a new term to me!) and is suggested to have a harmonizing effect from nature on physiological stress reactions. The stillness associated with walking through serene environments is also shown to offer long-distance walkers health-related benefits and may even stretch their perception of time.
Interestingly, the findings suggest that short long-distance walks (a bit of an oxymoron!) may have beneficial effects on stress, depression, and anxiety while longer long-distance walks may provide more significant effects on mental distress.
7 Long-distance Walking Journeys on My Shortlist
With my “whys” and intentions in mind, I’ve narrowed the focus of my research to 7 thru-hikes. Your list will look different and I’m interested to learn about your choices!
If you are still in research mode, one place I’d suggest to begin is the website for National Trails in the UK. There is a long and deep walking culture in the United Kingdom and this website offers detailed information on the 16 National Trails of Great Britain. Three of my top pics are UK National Trails.
Hadrian’s Wall, UK
Description: Through the countryside and over Northumbrian crags following the remains of a Roman fortification built in 122 AD.
Route: Bowness-on-Solway to South Shields
Length & difficulty: 84 miles / 135 km; easy/moderate
Why this caught my eye: well-maintained paths, plenty of historical sites, and a sense of immersion in Roman history. Plus my Dad walked this path in the 1980’s and speaks fondly of the adventure.
The Cotswold Way, UK
Description: Through charming little market towns connected by lanes and farmers' fields following the Cotswold escarpment.
Route: Chipping Campden to Bath (a world heritage city)
Length & difficulty: 102 miles / 164 km; easy/moderate
Why this caught my eye: a taste of quintessential English countryside home to ancient castles, Neolithic burial grounds, idyllic villages and breathtaking views.
South West Coast Path, UK
Description: England's longest waymarked long-distance footpath along the dramatic coastlines of Devon and Cornwall.
Route: Minehead, Somerset to Poole Harbour, Dorset
Length & difficulty: 630 miles / 1014 km; the difficulty depends on the section and how far you go
Why this caught my eye: The trail has 7 sections of varying lengths with train connections throughout. The association’s website makes planning a journey easy!
DIY the UK Canal Towpaths
Description: Not originally built for walking but an ideal system of flat paths steeped with history, art, villages, pubs and canal culture.
Route: DIY from this great map
Length & difficulty: 2000 miles / 3218 km of canals; easy
Why this caught my eye: One year my parents lived aboard a canal boat and put-putted through the canal network across England. I visited them and learned about canal towpaths - flat, quiet, beautiful! There are tunnels, locks, viaducts and NO traffic.
The Island Walk, PEI, Canada
Description: Established in 2020, the Island Walk circles Prince Edward Island through beaches, past lighthouses and meandering along red dirt roads.
Route: circumnavigate the island in 32 sections
Length & difficulty: 435 miles / 700 km; flat and easy depending on how far you go
Why this caught my eye: I love Canada! I was born on the East Coast and have a great group of cousins who all live on PEI. Check out this write-up from Journey Woman and the official site with detailed and up-to-date information to help plan: https://theislandwalk.ca/.
Laugavegur, Iceland
Description: Iceland’s breathtaking scenery takes center stage on this hike through diverse landscapes, hot springs, fields of lava, multi-coloured mountains and glaciers!
Route: Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk
Length & difficulty: 34 miles / 55 km - moderate difficulty
Why this caught my eye: It looks like you’re walking through a National Geographic magazine! The accommodation for this trail is huts. I don’t think I’d DIY this journey and would find a local tour company to help pre-book the stays in the huts!
Fisherman’s Trail, Portugal
Description: Part of the Rota Vicentina hiking route, this path has sand, cliffs and capes along the coast of Portugal
Route: Porto Covo to Lagos
Length & difficulty: 143 miles / 230 km considered moderately challenging
Why this caught my eye: From my time visiting Portugal, this route would undoubtedly have the pleasure of an amazing coastline and outrageously delicious food, great wine, and friendly people.
Other Thru Hiking Trails
Via Francigena, Italy - an ancient route between Canterbury, England, and Rome, Italy ~ 1,200 miles/1931 km
Kumano Kodō Trail, Japan - ancient pilgrimage route through lush forests, sacred mountains, and atmospheric shrines ~43 miles/70 km
Tour du Mont Blanc, Switzerland, Italy, France - circle Mont Blanc hiking between alpine towns with stunning mountain views and snow-capped peaks ~150 miles/170 km
Lycian Way, Turkey - a rough path along the country's stunning coastline passing ancient ruins, turquoise waters, and charming Mediterranean villages ~335 miles/539 km
Pieterpad, Netherlands - explore the length of the country from Pieterburen, in the northern part of the province of Groningen to the southern tip of the country, on top of ‘Mount’ St. Peter ~ 310 miles/500 km
Kungsleden “The Kings Way”, Sweden - through scenic mountains and the beauty of 4 national parks. Multiple entry and exit points, fairly flat and well-maintained trails ~ 270 miles/450 km
The West Highland Way, Scotland - a path of misty mountains, serene lochs, and enigmatic castles ~ 96-mile/154km
How to DIY Your Thru Hiking Experience
Sometimes you don’t have time, or the ability to complete a long-distance walk in its entirety. That shouldn’t cause you to dismiss a trail. Completing a portion of a trail allows you to both get a taste of a trail and to return and savour the trail again (and again).
Section Hiking
Complete a long trail in parts! This is called Section Hiking where you do one specific part of the trail at a time. For example, The Vancouver Island Trail which I followed during my 82 km solo hike is 800 km long. I love completing a new section every year or revisiting my favourite sections.
Hop-on-Hop-Off Approach
There are no rules to say that you have to walk every single day on a thru-hike. Well, at least no rule I believe in. My husband and I were discussing some of my top trail choices and we envisioned doing a few with longer breaks every once in a while. Often people schedule in rest days, but we were thinking of them more like slow exploration days, opportunities to get to know and appreciate the stops along the way. He likened this approach to the Hop-on-Hop-Off busses found in almost every touristy city on the planet! The concept is, that you are in control of when and where you stay put before moving to the next destination.
Pay for Support
I’m a DIYer at heart, but I can see the immense advantages of hiring a knowledgeable company that is located in the country you are going to and/or who partners with local businesses to curate a thru-hike experience for you.
If you go this route, be prepared to be further overwhelmed by the numerous companies who do this and all the options you will have! It can range from having everything planned to being guided, to getting your luggage transferred from place to place.
I urge you to read reviews, ask friends for recommendations, and choose companies that all/most of your dollars directly benefit the country you are visiting. I chose On Foot Holidays for a multi-day hike through Tuscany. I received incredible support, detailed material, and when I had to cancel at the last minute, compassion and expedient support.
Thru Hiking Your Way
Consider this article “permission” or strong encouragement to step into long-distance walking in your own way. It’s not only ok to have personal motivation to walk - it’s critical for your enjoyment! Use this self-knowledge to personalize the where, when, and how to walk and don’t doubt your journey or compare it to anyone else’s.
If the traditional Camino de Santiago feels both right and exciting as your choice - GO!! But if your reflections about alternatives have opened up ideas on different next steps, follow where that may lead. For me, I’ve not dismissed the idea of completing the Camino but it’s not for me yet.
I’m very interested in your experiences - both WHY you walked, WHERE you walked, and HOW those journeys unfolded! Comment below or get in touch!
I hope this article helps you to plan your next adventure! Looking for more guidance?
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