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Why you might want to consider a pilgrimage for your next holiday or day trip

We have been living in a COVID-19 pandemic world for two years—and almost everything about our lives has been affected. Travel and holidays in particular have been constrained through border closures and lockdowns. It's too early to say what effect this may have on overseas travel long term. But that is forecast to grow in popularity is .

Often described as "a journey with a purpose or , a pilgrimage is different from a plain old walk or hike as it tends to be about following a particular path with religious, spiritual or historical significance.

Pilgrimages are a way of finding spiritual solace and a chance to connect with the great outdoors. Indeed, since the pandemic began, many of us have spent more time close to , rivers, waterfalls and , for , , and as a form of .

New and repurposed pilgrimages have also emerged in many destinations including , India, , and Italy. While some routes have historical origins, others are modern, newly developed or resignified—such as the project linking St David's, Pembrokeshire, in Wales to Ferns, County Wexford, in Ireland. The project aims to revive and celebrate the between the two Celtic lands.

Pilgrims walk these trails for different reasons. For some, the experience has religious significance, but for others, it's about , breathe, heal and discover oneself, during a .

Walking the path

imposed on religious sites during the earlier phase of the pandemic did little to curb pilgrims' enthusiasm. Indeed, increasing numbers of have walked the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. Meanwhile, of meeting pilgrims' needs have also emerged, including the .

Fitness and of the Camino have been popular. also created an online pilgrimage route where e-pilgrims could explore some of Wales' historic churches, while Japan's started offering real-time online pilgrimages for those unable to participate in a physical pilgrimage.

Some of the pilgrimage routes also provide distinctive cultural experiences such as Japanese traditional cooking and art and craft classes, or Welsh tea and cakes. The new in Japan, for example, has already spurred interest from national and international travellers, and it is expected to become an iconic hiking route, while it is hoped that the walking route will help to boost local economies—and is forecast to attract around 5,000 people a year.

Of course, maintaining pilgrimage sites and routes is crucial for cultural heritage and protection. This also has the potential to create new livelihoods and bring much-needed tourism to rural or remote areas. In , for example, a Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nagarjuna is being developed as part of an effort to revitalise Buddhist heritage in the region.

, a sacred hiking trail, that fell into disrepair because of highway construction, is reopening after 60 years with trail tourism programmes packaged to support local homestays, guesthouses and hotels. In the 16th century, the trail—which follows the route along the ancient Silk Road—was the only way of getting between the east and west of the country. And it served as the pilgrimage route for Buddhists in the east to travel to sacred sites in western Bhutan and Tibet.

Where to start

As have come to the fore during the pandemic, walking—with its —has been a popular activity for many as a way of coping with stress and anxiety. And , people often observe and appreciate simple things more keenly, feel the spiritual connection with their surroundings and gain new, enriching life perspectives.

So if you're keen to get your walking boots on, for those based in the UK, there is an array of new pilgrimage routes to explore. Many of these were established during the pandemic such as the in the north-east of England, the in East Anglia, in Northern Ireland, the in Scotland, and the in Teesside. While the , part of the , which aims to connect rural churches with local communities and landscapes, launched no fewer than three new pilgrimage walks in the summer of 2021.

The Church of England promotes many Christian-themed pilgrimages, and information about some of these can be found on the . Organisations such as the and the also offer guided pilgrimages and advice on self-guided walks.

Pilgrimages, however, need . and are also a great way to find some time for quiet contemplation. And for those looking for a relatively stress-free experience, there is, of course, always the option of virtual pilgrimage allowing you to travel the world from the comfort of home.