Walking and Bicycling Routes

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

The Confraternity of Pilgrims to Jerusalem promotes the Way of the Soul that leads to Jerusalem and beyond. Whereas, the Camino Frances is called the Way of the Sword. It's the place where you battle your fears and face your demons. The via Francigena is called the Way of the Heart. It is the way of Love, but not human love, but Divine Love, whatever the term means to you. The Confraternity highlights ancient and contemporary routes that stitched together form a whole connecting Canterbury Cathedral with Jerusalem's Temple Mount: via Francigena, via Appia, via Egnatia, Lycian Way, Sultans' Trail, Abraham's Path, Israel National Trail, Ecological Pilgrim's Way to Jerusalem. Lets remember that a pilgrimage is a journey, especially a long one requiring repetitive long-distance walking or bicycling, made to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion or often not.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

Bicycling Links

Miscellaneous Links

The Confraternity is a source of practical information for planning a pilgrimage to the city of gold on foot or by bicycle, horse or some other white-eyed quadruped. So where do you go after reaching Rome? You slip on your walking shoes, hop on your bicycle, sling your rucksack, and continue to Jerusalem and beyond.

Jerusalem has been called the holiest city in the world, and is an important place of pilgrimage for Christians, Muslims and Jews. All the key events of Christ’s Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection are based there. Holy Week pilgrims may follow His journey to the Cross on the Via Dolorosa, visit the Cenacle where the Last Supper was held on the Mount of Olives on Maundy Thursday, pray at Calvary on Good Friday, and attend the Easter Vigil, the final drama of Christ’s death and Resurrection, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This basilica is allegedly built on Mount Golgotha, where Jesus is thought to have been entombed.

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)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Last updated: 25 March 2018