Ancient footpaths became connecting routes traversing the coast between California’s twenty-one Spanish missions, pueblos, and presidios established between 1769 and 1823. Over time these routes became automobile roadways and were marked with bells starting in 1906 to promote and preserve the El Camino Real. Today, the California Mission Walk follows a pedestrian route through urban cities and historic towns, through forest paths and country lanes, to each of the twenty-one historic Spanish missions over this 800-mile long pilgrimage.
For those who follow this blog or my podcast (APPLE | GOOGLE | YOUTUBE | WWW), you’re familiar with my essential packing list for the Camino De Santiago. If you haven’t heard me talk about my preferred gear for walking pilgrimage or backpacking, you can …
Following the deadly outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, most pilgrimage plans along the Camino de Santiago and Via Francigena were canceled or delayed in 2020 and 2021. If you are interested in a pilgrimage in the age of Covid, here are the restrictions to assist …
With more Americans walking the Camino de Santiago and looking for a Camino walk in the United States, the California Missions Trail has begun to draw more pilgrims seeking a pilgrimage walk in America.
One of the questions I get from both experienced and newer backpackers alike is: what first aid and foot care items should I carry in my backpack in case I get blisters or have foot pain? This is a really serious topic for hiking, whether …
Once the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a change in my plans to hike the Via Francigena through England and France, I set my sights on walking the California Missions Trail in the summer of 2020. With abundant options for lodging, food, and resupply, the California Missions …
Nearly all of my pilgrimage trips have included some amount of urban hiking through modern cities, including the Camino de Santiago as you arrive at the Cathedral and the California Mission Trail through the major metro areas of San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. …
As a lifelong Scout and Scout Leader, I’ve probably created and carried more than 30 unique first-aid kits over the years. I say “created” because – more often than not – retail first aid kits are not specialized enough for backpacking – lacking a few …
Born from the ancient footpaths traversing the coast between California’s twenty-one Spanish missions, the California Missions Trail or El Camino Real in California (“The Royal Road”) as it is also known connects historic missions, pueblos, and presidios over an 800-mile long pilgrimage walk. Established between …
In researching the California Mission Walk, also known as “El Camino Real” for an upcoming pilgrimage, I quickly found a number of wonderful resources and communities of walkers. However, specific GPS, GPX, and KML files for Google Maps detailing for the California Missions Trail were …
Looking for the best GPS apps for your iPhone or Android smartphone for your next hike? As a solo hiker and pilgrim, I never leave home without a GPS map and guidebook. Since your phone contains a GPS chip that does not require cellular or …
By far the most frequent question I receive relates to how to pack for an international hiking trip. With that in mind, I’m sharing my packing list for anyone who is considering a distance hike internationally, such as the Camino de Santiago, or planning to …