Best Alternatives to the Camino de Santiago for Hiking and Crowdfree Trails
- Travelers seeking the challenge and spiritual reflection of the Camino de Santiago are increasingly turning to alternative long-distance routes to escape peak-season crowds, according to travel reports from...
- Among the prominent alternatives is the Via Francigena, an ancient ecclesiastical route traversing Italy from Canterbury to Rome and Santa Maria di Leuca.
- For travelers remaining in Spain but looking beyond the traditional Camino paths, National Geographic highlights several regional routes.
Travelers seeking the challenge and spiritual reflection of the Camino de Santiago are increasingly turning to alternative long-distance routes to escape peak-season crowds, according to travel reports from the NZ Herald, The Natural Adventure, and National Geographic. While the historic 500-mile Camino Frances across northern Spain remains a top bucket-list item, high demand often fills traditional accommodations to capacity. According to The Natural Adventure, walkers who want similar pilgrimage adventures without the congestion can explore several lesser-known European paths.
Exploring Alternative Pilgrimage Routes in Europe
Among the prominent alternatives is the Via Francigena, an ancient ecclesiastical route traversing Italy from Canterbury to Rome and Santa Maria di Leuca. According to The Natural Adventure, the route offers segments such as a 22-day stretch between Lucca and Rome, and a Tuscan pilgrimage between Lucca and Siena. Another option highlighted by The Natural Adventure is the Camino le Puy, or Via Podiensis, in France. Spanning 750 kilometers between Le Puy-en-Velay and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the 40-day route takes trekkers through the Auvergne, the volcanic landscapes of the Velay, and the Lot Valley before reaching the Pyrenees. In Austria, walkers can experience the SalzburgerLand section of the Way of St James, locally known as the Jacobsweg. According to The Natural Adventure, this self-guided eight-day trek covers 123 kilometers from near Salzburg to the Tyrol region, passing through traditional towns like Großgmain, Bad Reichenhall, and alpine Lofer. Catalonia’s Ruta dels Indiketes offers a 476-kilometer circular coastal and woodland trail starting and ending in Llançà. According to The Natural Adventure, walkers collect passport stamps along the 24-day itinerary to earn an Indiketa Certificate upon completion.
Alternative Hikes Across Spain
For travelers remaining in Spain but looking beyond the traditional Camino paths, National Geographic highlights several regional routes. The Camí de Cavalls on Menorca circles the island’s coastline across 115 miles, offering a 7-to-10-day journey past secluded coves, wetlands, and 14th-century watchtowers. In Andalusia, the Romería de El Rocío spans 50 miles through the Doñana National Park, connecting Seville to a traditional festival route. National Geographic also notes urban routes, such as a four-mile walk in Barcelona from the Sagrada Família to Montjuïc Hill, which combines modernist architecture with Mediterranean viewpoints.
