With travel permitted to Italy during COVID, in Spring 2022 I will walk sections of the Via Francigena to Rome, completing the final sections of the route I began in 2021 at Canterbury Cathedral in England. Throughout my journey, I intend to sleep in hostels …
With more families looking to rediscover the great outdoors, interest in hiking and backpacking trips with children seems to be growing exponentially.
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 …
If I could only buy one backpack for all my varied hiking needs, it would be the Osprey Exos. Dollar-for-dollar and pound-for-pound, this go-anywhere, carry-anything pack remains one of the best (if not the singular best) backpack you can buy for the trail or distance …
One of the universal symbols of pilgrims in western culture is the simple scallop shell. The shell is used both both for waymarking and as a metaphor for the Camino de Santiago, its lines said to represent the different routes to the tomb of Saint …
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. …
In the summer of 2019, I set out on my first Camino de Santiago pilgrimage along the ancient route from Portugal into Spain to Santiago de Compostela. As an experienced hiker, I spent a lot of time researching my backpack and clothes to ensure I …
As I’ve explained before, I use hydration reservoirs almost exclusively over water bottles when I’m hiking. For me, I drink more, stay hydrated, and make better time along the trail when I can easily drink from the tube without stopping. One of the biggest challenges …
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 …
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 …
The most frequent question for those planning to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain is: What is the best backpack for the Camino? From size to fit to how you will carry your pack, selecting a backpack for the Camino is a balance of …
With any luck, you’ve found this page while researching the Camino de Santiago through Europe to learn more about pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, Spain. Some pilgrims find the Camino through books or blogs. Others may learn about the Camino through movies, such as “The …