Pilgrimage routes in Europe
Europe is the heart of the Christian pilgrimage routes. Santiago, Rome and Canterbury have been the great destinations since the Middle Ages, linked by a network of marked routes. For beginners this is the best region: a short journey, plenty of places to stay and good signposting. The routes range from a day trip to Croagh Patrick to the Via Francigena at almost 2,000 kilometres.
85 routes in Europe
| Route | Length | Duration | Difficulty | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Via Romea Germanica | around 2,200 km | about 3 months | moderate | May to October |
| Via Francigena | around 1,900 km | about 3 months | moderate | April to June, September and October |
| Huguenot and Waldensian Trail | around 1,800 km | in sections | moderate | April to October |
| Tro Breizh | around 1,500 km as today's circular route | in sections | moderate | All year, best from May to September |
| St Martin's Way (Martinusweg) | around 1,200 km in Germany | in sections | moderate | April to October |
| Via Lemovicensis | around 1,100 km | 7 to 8 weeks | moderate | May to October |
| Vía de la Plata | around 1,000 km | 6 to 7 weeks | moderate | Autumn to spring |
| Via Turonensis | just over 1,000 km from Paris | 6 to 7 weeks | easy | April to October |
| Via Regia in Poland | around 935 km from Medyka | about 6 weeks | easy | May to September |
| Camino del Norte | around 830 km | 5 to 6 weeks | hard | May to October |
| Via Tolosana | around 800 km | 5 to 6 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Camino de Levante | around 800 to 900 km | 6 to 7 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Way of St James (Camino Francés) | around 780 km | about 5 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Via Baltica | around 760 km | 5 to 6 weeks | easy | May to September |
| Via Podiensis | around 750 km | 4 to 5 weeks | moderate | May to October |
| Voie du Piémont | around 700 km | 4 to 5 weeks | hard | May to October |
| Via Scandinavica | around 660 km | 4 to 5 weeks | easy | May to September |
| Camino Ignaciano | around 650 km | about 4 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| St Olav's Way (Gudbrandsdalsleden) | around 640 km | about 4 to 5 weeks | hard | June to September |
| Camino Mozárabe | around 600 km from Almería | about 4 weeks | moderate | Autumn to spring |
| Via Imperii | around 600 km | about 4 weeks | easy | April to October |
| St Olavsleden | around 580 km | about 4 weeks | moderate | June to September |
| Via di Francesco | around 500 km | about 4 weeks | moderate | April to June, September and October |
| Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara | around 500 km | about 30 stages | hard | Spring and autumn |
| Ecumenical Pilgrim Way (Ökumenischer Pilgerweg) | around 470 km | about 3 weeks | easy | May to September |
| Pelgrimspad Amsterdam-Maastricht | around 456 km | about 3 to 4 weeks | easy | April to October |
| Swiss Way of St James (ViaJacobi) | around 430 km | about 3 weeks | moderate | May to October |
| Way of St James through the Lüneburg Heath | around 430 km | a good 3 weeks | easy | May to October, in August for the heather bloom |
| Cammino di Sant'Antonio | around 400 km | about 3 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Caminho Português from Lisbon | around 375 km to Porto | a good 2 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Camino Sanabrés | around 370 km | a good 2 weeks | moderate | May to October |
| Via Gebennensis | around 350 km | about 2 weeks | moderate | May to October |
| Camino Primitivo | around 320 km | 2 weeks | hard | May to October |
| Camino de Madrid | around 320 km | 2 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Cammino di San Benedetto | around 300 km | about 16 days | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Cammino di San Tommaso | a good 300 km | about 2 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Munich Way of St James | around 300 km | about 2 weeks | moderate | May to October |
| Saxon Way of St James (Sächsischer Jakobsweg) | around 300 km | 2 weeks | moderate | April to October |
| St Benedict's Way in Austria (Benediktweg) | 256 to 315 km depending on the source | 11 to 15 days | hard | May to October |
| Caminho da Costa | around 270 km from Porto | about 2 weeks | easy | April to October |
| Camino de Invierno | around 263 km | about 11 days | moderate | Spring to autumn |
| Pilgrimage to Częstochowa | around 250 to 290 km from Warsaw | 9 to 10 days | moderate | Early to mid August |
| Camino Catalán | around 250 km to Pina de Ebro | about 2 weeks | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Camino Portugués | around 240 km from Porto | about 2 weeks | easy | Spring to autumn |
| Jacobspad Nijmegen-Maastricht | around 217 km | about 10 to 12 days | easy | April to October |
| Via Jutlandica | around 217 km | about 10 days | easy | May to September |
| North Wales Pilgrim's Way | around 210 km | 10 to 14 days | moderate | May to September |
| Caminho Interior | around 205 km to Chaves | about 9 days | hard | Spring and autumn |
| Jacobspad Groningen and Drenthe | around 200 km | about 10 days | easy | April to October |
| Pilgrims' Way | around 190 km | 8 to 10 days | easy | May to September |
| St Elizabeth's Path (Elisabethpfad) | around 190 km from Eisenach | about 1 week | easy | Spring to autumn |
| Magna Via Francigena | around 180 km | about 9 days | moderate | March to May, October and November |
| St Boniface Route (Bonifatiusroute) | around 180 km | about 1 week | easy | Spring to autumn |
| Camino Aragonés | around 165 km | 6 to 7 days | moderate | May to October |
| Cammino Materano | around 160 km on the Via Peuceta | about 7 days | easy | Spring and autumn |
| Moselle Camino (Mosel-Camino) | around 160 to 180 km | 8 days | moderate | April to October |
| Caminho de Fátima | around 150 km from Lisbon | 6 to 7 days | easy | Spring and autumn |
| Via Lauretana | around 150 km | about 1 week | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Jabikspaad | around 150 km | about 7 to 8 days | easy | April to October |
| Lahn Camino (Lahn-Camino) | around 150 km | about 1 week | moderate | April to October |
| Way of St James in the Bohemian Forest | around 142 km | about 1 week | moderate | May to October |
| Wallfahrerweg in the Altmühltal | around 130 km | about 1 week | moderate | April to October |
| Camino Inglés | around 120 km from Ferrol | 5 to 6 days | easy | Spring to autumn |
| Via Sacra to Mariazell | around 120 km | about 4 days | hard | May to October |
| St Cuthbert's Way | around 100 km | 4 to 6 days | moderate | May to September |
| St Declan's Way | around 96 to 111 km | about 5 days | moderate | May to September |
| Pilgrimage to Chartres | around 100 km | 3 days | hard | Pentecost |
| Camino Finisterre | around 90 km | 3 to 4 days | easy | Spring to autumn |
| Ecumenical Pilgrim Way from Eichstätt to Heidenheim | around 72 km | 4 days | easy | April to October |
| Camino Lebaniego | around 72 km | 3 days | moderate | May to October |
| Variante Espiritual | around 70 km | 3 days | moderate | Spring to autumn |
| Cammino di Oropa | around 65 km from Santhià | about 4 to 6 days | moderate | May to October |
| St Finbarr's Pilgrim Path | around 37 km | 2 days | hard | May to September |
| St Kevin's Way | around 30 km | 1 to 2 days | moderate | Spring to autumn |
| Tóchar Phádraig | around 30 km | 1 to 2 days | moderate | May to September |
| Rheingau Monastery Trail (Rheingauer Klostersteig) | around 30 km | 1 to 2 days | moderate | April to October |
| Cosán na Naomh | around 18 km | 4 to 5 hours | moderate | May to September |
| Croagh Patrick | around 7 km there and back | 3 to 4 hours | moderate | May to September, Reek Sunday in July |
| Paths to Mont-Saint-Michel | several routes, often 100 to 300 km | a few days to 2 weeks | easy | Spring to autumn |
| Lough Derg | island pilgrimage, no walking route | 3 days | moderate | June to August |
| Luther Trail (Lutherweg) | network with several sections | depends on the section | easy | Spring to autumn |
| Stille Omgang in Amsterdam | night procession | about 1 hour | easy | March, a Saturday before Easter |
| Mount Athos | network of paths between the monasteries | usually 4 days | moderate | Spring and autumn |
| Lourdes | Place of pilgrimage | 1 to 3 days | easy | April to October |
| Rocamadour | Place of pilgrimage | 1 day | moderate | Spring to autumn |
Way of St James (Camino Francés)
around 780 km, about 5 weeks
Camino Portugués
around 240 km from Porto, about 2 weeks
Camino del Norte
around 830 km, 5 to 6 weeks
Camino Primitivo
around 320 km, 2 weeks
Vía de la Plata
around 1,000 km, 6 to 7 weeks
Camino Inglés
around 120 km from Ferrol, 5 to 6 days
Camino Finisterre
around 90 km, 3 to 4 days
Camino Ignaciano
around 650 km, about 4 weeks
Caminho de Fátima
around 150 km from Lisbon, 6 to 7 days
Via Podiensis
around 750 km, 4 to 5 weeks
Via Tolosana
around 800 km, 5 to 6 weeks
Tro Breizh
around 1,500 km as today's circular route, in sections
Paths to Mont-Saint-Michel
several routes, often 100 to 300 km, a few days to 2 weeks
Via Francigena
around 1,900 km, about 3 months
Via di Francesco
around 500 km, about 4 weeks
Cammino di San Benedetto
around 300 km, about 16 days
Cammino di Sant'Antonio
around 400 km, about 3 weeks
Via Lauretana
around 150 km, about 1 week
Cammino di Oropa
around 65 km from Santhià, about 4 to 6 days
Cammino Materano
around 160 km on the Via Peuceta, about 7 days
Magna Via Francigena
around 180 km, about 9 days
Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara
around 500 km, about 30 stages
Cammino di San Tommaso
a good 300 km, about 2 weeks
Via Romea Germanica
around 2,200 km, about 3 months
St Olav's Way (Gudbrandsdalsleden)
around 640 km, about 4 to 5 weeks
St Olavsleden
around 580 km, about 4 weeks
St Cuthbert's Way
around 100 km, 4 to 6 days
Pilgrims' Way
around 190 km, 8 to 10 days
North Wales Pilgrim's Way
around 210 km, 10 to 14 days
Croagh Patrick
around 7 km there and back, 3 to 4 hours
St Kevin's Way
around 30 km, 1 to 2 days
Tóchar Phádraig
around 30 km, 1 to 2 days
St Declan's Way
around 96 to 111 km, about 5 days
Cosán na Naomh
around 18 km, 4 to 5 hours
St Finbarr's Pilgrim Path
around 37 km, 2 days
Lough Derg
island pilgrimage, no walking route, 3 days
Munich Way of St James
around 300 km, about 2 weeks
Ecumenical Pilgrim Way (Ökumenischer Pilgerweg)
around 470 km, about 3 weeks
St Elizabeth's Path (Elisabethpfad)
around 190 km from Eisenach, about 1 week
Luther Trail (Lutherweg)
network with several sections, depends on the section
St Boniface Route (Bonifatiusroute)
around 180 km, about 1 week
Ecumenical Pilgrim Way from Eichstätt to Heidenheim
around 72 km, 4 days
Wallfahrerweg in the Altmühltal
around 130 km, about 1 week
Via Sacra to Mariazell
around 120 km, about 4 days
Jabikspaad
around 150 km, about 7 to 8 days
Jacobspad Groningen and Drenthe
around 200 km, about 10 days
Jacobspad Nijmegen-Maastricht
around 217 km, about 10 to 12 days
Pelgrimspad Amsterdam-Maastricht
around 456 km, about 3 to 4 weeks
Stille Omgang in Amsterdam
night procession, about 1 hour
St Benedict's Way in Austria (Benediktweg)
256 to 315 km depending on the source, 11 to 15 days
Swiss Way of St James (ViaJacobi)
around 430 km, about 3 weeks
Pilgrimage to Częstochowa
around 250 to 290 km from Warsaw, 9 to 10 days
Mount Athos
network of paths between the monasteries, usually 4 days
Via Turonensis
just over 1,000 km from Paris, 6 to 7 weeks
Via Lemovicensis
around 1,100 km, 7 to 8 weeks
Voie du Piémont
around 700 km, 4 to 5 weeks
Pilgrimage to Chartres
around 100 km, 3 days
Lourdes
Place of pilgrimage, 1 to 3 days
Rocamadour
Place of pilgrimage, 1 day
Camino Aragonés
around 165 km, 6 to 7 days
Camino de Madrid
around 320 km, 2 weeks
Camino Sanabrés
around 370 km, a good 2 weeks
Camino Mozárabe
around 600 km from Almería, about 4 weeks
Camino de Levante
around 800 to 900 km, 6 to 7 weeks
Camino de Invierno
around 263 km, about 11 days
Camino Lebaniego
around 72 km, 3 days
Camino Catalán
around 250 km to Pina de Ebro, about 2 weeks
Variante Espiritual
around 70 km, 3 days
Caminho Português from Lisbon
around 375 km to Porto, a good 2 weeks
Caminho da Costa
around 270 km from Porto, about 2 weeks
Caminho Interior
around 205 km to Chaves, about 9 days
Moselle Camino (Mosel-Camino)
around 160 to 180 km, 8 days
Lahn Camino (Lahn-Camino)
around 150 km, about 1 week
Via Baltica
around 760 km, 5 to 6 weeks
Via Scandinavica
around 660 km, 4 to 5 weeks
Via Jutlandica
around 217 km, about 10 days
Via Imperii
around 600 km, about 4 weeks
Saxon Way of St James (Sächsischer Jakobsweg)
around 300 km, 2 weeks
St Martin's Way (Martinusweg)
around 1,200 km in Germany, in sections
Rheingau Monastery Trail (Rheingauer Klostersteig)
around 30 km, 1 to 2 days
Huguenot and Waldensian Trail
around 1,800 km, in sections
Way of St James through the Lüneburg Heath
around 430 km, a good 3 weeks
Via Gebennensis
around 350 km, about 2 weeks
Via Regia in Poland
around 935 km from Medyka, about 6 weeks
Way of St James in the Bohemian Forest
around 142 km, about 1 week
Frequently asked questions
What pilgrimage routes are there in Europe?
On this page you will find 85 routes and places in Europe, for example Way of St James (Camino Francés), Camino Portugués, Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo, Vía de la Plata, Camino Inglés, Camino Finisterre, Camino Ignaciano.
What is the longest pilgrimage route in Europe?
Of the routes presented here, Via Romea Germanica is the longest: around 2,200 km, duration about 3 months.
What is the shortest pilgrimage route in Europe?
The shortest here is Croagh Patrick at around 7 km there and back, duration 3 to 4 hours.