Of course, alongside our carefully curated selection of walking holidays in Spain, Portugal and Italy, we love to keep exploring other beautiful long distance walks across Europe. From time to time, a route captures our imagination so much that we simply have to dive deeper into it.
In fact, one of the walks below has already found its way into our current offering – and we are excited to see which of these inspiring routes you would love to see next!
1. Via Francigena: Lucca to Siena
The Via Francigena is the medieval route that connects England with Rome. The trail passes through England, France, Switzerland and finally Italy. It was first described around the year 900 and today forms part of Europe’s cultural heritage. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims follow this route southwards to the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul in Rome.
During this 8 day walk, you start in Lucca. Along the way, you pass the famous San Gimignano, whose towers are visible on the horizon from afar. The hilltop fortress town of Monteriggioni is another highlight of this journey. The pilgrimage ends in the magnificent Renaissance city of Siena.
We have this part of the Via Francigena available as a WAW adventure, check it out!
2. Via Podiensis: Conques to Rocamadour
The Via Podiensis is the oldest and one of the most beautiful pilgrimage routes through France, on the way to Santiago de Compostela. You walk in six stages from Conques to Rocamadour. The total distance is around 100 km, with stages ranging from short walks of less than 13 km to others of just over 20 km. This allows you to enjoy the experience at a relaxed pace.
Along the way, you pass some of the most characteristic medieval towns on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. First, there is Conques and its Abbatiale Sainte Foy, a jewel of Romanesque architecture nestled in a green setting. Rocamadour is an important pilgrimage site with seven churches and chapels, the most famous being Notre Dame de Rocamadour.
3. St Cuthbert’s Way
St Cuthbert’s Way follows in the footsteps of the medieval missionary through the border region between Scotland and England. The 100 km trail runs from Melrose Abbey in Scotland to the grave of St Cuthbert on Holy Island.
In six walking days, you cross the foothills of the Eildon Hills before following the banks of the River Tweed for a while. After the picturesque village of Kirk Yetholm, you cross the border and descend to the old market town of Wooler. The final section leads through the rolling landscape of Northumberland to the coast. The Pilgrims Path, accessible only at low tide and leading to Holy Island, provides a worthy finale to this unique walking holiday.
4. Coast to Coast
The Coast to Coast Walk (C2C) is one of the most beautiful walking routes in the world. The nearly 300 km journey takes you straight across three national parks, showcasing some of England’s finest scenery. Along the way, you pass cosy pubs, waterfalls, hills and kissing gates.
Each day, you experience the English landscape in all its splendour: mountains, valleys, forests, meadows and moorland. Every walker who begins the Coast to Coast dips their toe in the Irish Sea and places a stone in their backpack. At the end of the journey, when you reach Robin Hood’s Bay and the North Sea, you lay the stone down and dip your toe in the sea once more.
The full Coast to Coast consists of 19 walking days. If you do not have that much time, you can, with the help of some transfers, walk from west to east in 13 days, complete the western section in seven days, or walk the eastern section in nine days.
5. Douaniers Path: Paimpol to Lannion
Stretching over more than 2000 km from Mont Saint Michel to the bridge of Saint Nazaire, this trail follows the Breton coastline. Red and white waymarks guide the way, and those who walk it are rewarded with sea breezes and spectacular views.
The Douaniers Path was created in 1791 and was used by patrolling customs officers who intercepted smugglers. At the beginning of the 20th century, the path fell into disuse, but in 1968 it was revived when enthusiasts decided to turn it into a long distance trail.
You walk in six stages along the spectacular Pink Granite Coast of Brittany, passing lively harbours such as Paimpol, Port Blanc and Perros Guirec, where delicious fish dishes and fruits de mer are served. Depending on the tide, you either walk along the waterline, with the chance to visit small rocky islets, or high above the sea, enjoying views from the cliffs.
What is your favourite walk?
The Via Francigena has already earned its place in our collection of walking holidays, actually partly because so many of our past WAW walkers asked for it! We listened, explored it ourselve, and it is now proudly part of our offering. So never say never!
Which walk would you love to see next on WAW.travel? Let us know at [email protected] – your suggestion might just become our next adventure.
Comment (0)