Pilgrimage

Ten great historic pilgrim routes of Western Europe, inspiration for today's long distance walker

Ten historic pilgrim routes of Western Europe, inspiration for today's long-distance walker.

Pilgrimage in Europe is thriving on a massive scale. In 1990 the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela recorded fewer than 5,000 pilgrims: today that figure is at least 200,000 a year. Author Derry Brabbs' previous book, Roads to Santiago, focused exclusively on the 'camino' through France and Spain to Santiago de Compostela; Pilgrimage revisits this classic route, and nine other inspirational journeys across Europe.

Whether you're truly making a pilgrimage, exploring the world, or simply hiking, Pilgrimage will lead you along deeply historical routes like the 'Jakobsweg' in Germany, between Cologne and Trier. You'll find great walks in Britain and France, like St. Cuthbert's Way which winds around the Scottish Borders to the holy island of Lindisfarne, and the World Heritage Site of Mont-St-Michel built on the tiny island off the coast of Normandy.

The most notable addition to the rejuvenated era of pilgrimage is the Via Francigena, now a very well-established path through Switzerland and Italy. The Italian section begins on the bleak summit of the Great St Bernard Pass where a hospice still caters to the needs of passing pilgrims before heading down to Rome through some of Italy's most beguiling countryside interspersed with medieval hilltop towns and villages.

Astounding photographs combine with an absorbing text that describes the history and key features of each route, as well as brief details of the distances and the number of days it takes to walk, and a list of websites to help plan your journey.