The Pilgrims’ Way (also Pilgrim’s Way or Pilgrims Way) is England’s ancient pilgrimage route linking both Winchester and London to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at the Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, England. Followed by kings and fabled in literature such as the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the modern route follows the historic Roman road and parallels the North Downs Way. From Canterbury, some may continue pilgrimage to Rome along Europe’s Via Francigena.
This guide is intended to assist pilgrims as they plan for the Pilgrim’s Way, including recommended gear, tips, and key learnings gathered from my pilgrimages in England, Spain, and Portugal as well as hiking experiences on the Appalachian Trail, the Florida Trail, and the Via Francigena.
With COVID pandemic restrictions lifted in the U.K. for vaccinated travelers, in late September and early October 2021 I will walk three historic pilgrim pathways in England: the Pilgrims’ Way from London to Canterbury, the English leg of the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Dover, …
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 …
As an experienced backpacker in the United States, I’m well-acquainted with how to read and follow trail blazes in North America. However, when I started hiking distance routes and trails in Europe,
I was first drawn to England’s ancient pilgrimage route to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket following my 2019 Camino de Santiago. With my eyes set towards Europe’s Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome, I learned the history of the Pilgrims’ Way from both Winchester …
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 …
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 …
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 …
The Pilgrims’ Way (also Pilgrim’s Way or Pilgrims Way) is England’s ancient pilgrimage route linking both Winchester and London to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at the Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, England. To document the route, the Canterbury Cathedral recommends that pilgrims obtain the …
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 …
The ancient pilgrimage route in England links both Winchester and London to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at the Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, England. Followed by kings and fabled in literature such as The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the modern route follows the …
The ancient pilgrimage route in England links both Winchester and London to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at the Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, England. Followed by kings and fabled in literature such as The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, the modern route follows the …
THE PILGRIMS’ WAY IN ENGLAND Shortly after my 2019 Camino de Santiago in Portugal and Spain, I learned about the ancient Pilgrims’ Way in England from several pilgrims and historians. The ancient route links both Winchester and London to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket …
I carried the 2019 version of the Osprey Manta 34L backpack through Portugal and Spain on the Camino de Santiago and recommend it most highly. In fact, I believe this is one of the best backpacks for the Camino de Santiago or any supported distance …