Pilgrimages are walking Zen; step by step the practitioner makes his or
her way through blue sky temples and white cloud monasteries. Conducted
in the traditional manner - on foot, in old-fashioned garb, carrying no
money, accepting whatever comes - pilgrimages are among the most
demanding, and therefore most rewarding, of all religious disciplines.
~Martin Roth and John Steven (1985) Zen Guide p. 108
The saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
step.” Really, that’s not true. Every major journey begins with a plan:
where you’re going, where you’re stopping along the way, and how you’re
getting there. ~Randal S. Olson
Bicycling from Rome to Bari, Italy (Via Appia) and from Durres, Albania to Istanbul in Turkey (Via Egnatia) is a great opportunity for the experienced bicyclist. These route notes provide an overview for bicyclists with reliable touring bicycles. Following ancient Roman roads, wherever feasible on two wheels, from one holy city to another.
The Routes
Walking Links
- Crossing England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Vatican: via Francigena
- Crossing Italy: via Appia
- Crossing Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Western Turkey: via Egnatia
- Crossing Eastern Turkey
- Alternative Route: Istanbul, Turkey to Alanya, Turkey
- The five-island-hopping route: Samos, Patmos, Kos, Rhodes, Cyprus
- Crossing Northern Cyprus to the Republic of Cyprus
- Crossing Israel: Haifa to Jerusalem
- Crossing Syria, Jordan, West Bank, Israel to Jerusalem
- Alternative Routes
Bicycling Links
Miscellaneous Links
- A few tips for touring bicyclists
- Accommodation
- Country Information
- Equipment
- History
- Jerusalem
- Links
- Quotations and Excerpts
- Safety Rules
- Travel Health
- Travel insurance
This website is work in progress, and your comments and contributions are apprectated for improving this pilgrim resource. Contact
Of course, we have our very own Facebook group: Confraternity of Pilgrims to Jerusalem. Join us. You are most welcome!
Prayer
May God direct your steps toward tranquillity and keep you from the hands of every foe. May you be safe from all misfortune on this earth. May God grant you mercy in his eyes and in the eyes of all who see you. (Julie Orringer, 2010, The Invisible Bridge, London: Penguin Group, p. 15)