LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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15 ALTERNATIVES TO THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO.

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The Camino de Santiago has become something of a legend. It is the route that introduces many people to long-distance hiking for the very first time. And year after year, it is growing in popularity.

But once you have experienced the rhythm of trail life, the absolute joy of arriving somewhere on foot, and the strange satisfaction of carrying everything you need on your back, it can be hard not to go searching for another route. I know we did!

The good news is that Europe is full of them.

Some are ancient pilgrimage paths lined with monasteries, others are wild coastal trails, or long distance hikes threading through ancient villages.

Over the last few years, we have walked many of these routes ourselves.

In this list, we’ve tried to identify 15 legitimate alternatives to the Camino de Santiago. These aren’t just “long distance hikes” they are routes that have something in common with the Camino – whether that’s the pilgrimage element, accommodation similarities, or just a “vibe.”

These are all comfort hikes – the kind that typically end with a chance for a glass of wine and a good meal at the end of the day – just like on the Camino de Santiago.

Crucially, we’ve avoided including “wilderness treks” – the type of thing that requires you to carry food for multiple days or requires a tent. If you’re looking for that, you can find our guide to the best 22 long distance hikes in Europe.

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1/ Via Francigena, UK to Italy

There is something quite epic about the idea of the Via Francigena. Unlike the Camino, the Via Francigena travels through multiple countries – from the UK to Italy, via France and Switzerland.

Walking the entire route is quite a commitment, and I expect it would take around 3 months. More popular sections include Lucca to Rome – the final 400km, and the section that we chose to walk.

This took us around three weeks of walking – taking our time to enjoy Lucca, Siena and the heart of Tuscany. We loved visiting vineyards, staying in monasteries and hostels, as well as seeing tiny villages and towns in the Tuscan hills. And of course, the food was exceptional!

You can find our detailed guide to walking from Lucca to Rome on the Via Francigena here.

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2/ Magna Via Francigena, Sicily

If the Via Francigena across mainland Europe sounds daunting, Sicily offers a smaller and far sunnier alternative.

The Magna Via Francigena crosses the heart of Sicily from Palermo to Agrigento, linking remote hill towns by trail.

We absolutely loved this route and used it as an excuse to spend a few extra weeks exploring Sicily. Which is a great option if you have more time. Otherwise, you can walk this in 9 or 10 days comfortably.

As you might expect in Sicily, the food was one of the highlights. We also loved the balance of visiting larger cities like Palermo and Agrigento and tiny villages.

The trail itself feels wonderfully authentic and peaceful. When we walked, we didn’t meet any other walkers. So, that’s something to consider if you’re after a sociable walk.

You can find our detailed guides to the Magna Via Francigena here.

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3/ St Olav’s Ways, Norway

St Olav’s Ways are a series of pilgrimage trails in Norway and Sweden. The specific route that we chose to walk is from Oslo to Trondheim – it is often referred to as St Olav’s Way, but the correct name is Gudbrandsdalen. This is the name of the valley that the trail passes through.

Few routes feel as peaceful as this. Imagine farmland, lakes, pine forests and vast open valleys.

The landscapes here are completely different from Spain or southern Europe. There are long stretches where the only sounds are birdsong, rushing rivers, and your own footsteps.

Norway’s right-to-roam culture also makes the route feel wonderfully freeing. Wild camping opportunities are plentiful, and we predominately chose to camp on this route. That said, farms stays and pilgrim style hostels are available (they are just a little more expensive than the Camino.)

We loved the simplicity of trail life here. But it’s not a route for those chasing café culture and busy pilgrim hostels. It is for walkers looking for solitude, nature, and quiet reflection.

You can find our detailed guides to this route here.

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4/ Pieterpad, Netherlands

The Pieterpad is proof that long-distance walking does not need dramatic mountains to be memorable. Stretching from the north of the Netherlands to the south, this trail crosses peaceful countryside, canals, forests, heathland, and traditional Dutch villages.

It feels incredibly accessible. We walked in summer, and there was something so freeing and easy about the route – we’ve already decided we would love to go back and cycle it too.

Days are relatively gentle, navigation is straightforward, and accommodation is plentiful. The route passes through villages at regular intervals, meaning coffee and apple cake are never too far away.

What we remember most is the atmosphere. There is a calmness to walking in the Netherlands that is difficult to describe. Even after long days on the trail, everything somehow feels easy. We stayed at campsites and never had to book – many offered trekkers discounts too.

The Pieterpad lacks the spiritual focus of the Camino, but it captures many of the same pleasures. Slow travel and human connection (we met lots of walkers and cyclists on route).

You can find our detailed guide to the Pieterpad here.

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5/ Rheinsteig, Germany

Germany’s Rheinsteig might just be one of Europe’s most underrated long-distance walks.

The route follows the Rhine between Bonn and Wiesbaden, climbing above vineyards, castles, forests, and dramatic river bends.

Some days genuinely feel like walking through a fairytale. We loved the contrast between steep wooded ridges and lively riverside towns where evenings were spent drinking Riesling beside the water.

The trail can be surprisingly demanding. There are constant ascents and descents, and some stages feel much tougher than the mileage suggests. But the rewards are enormous.

One afternoon near St Goarshausen, we rounded a corner to see the Rhine glowing in late afternoon light beneath hilltop castles and rows of vineyards. It remains one of our favourite moments on any European trail.

In terms of accommodation, we opted for a mix of camping at campsites (all were great) and hotels/ B&Bs.

You can find our detailed guide to the Rheinsteig here.

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6/ Coast to Coast, UK

Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast is one of Britain’s most celebrated long-distance walks, and it is firmly on our list to complete in full. Crossing northern England from St Bees on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea, the route passes through three national parks – the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors.

What makes it special, from everything we know and have read, is the sheer variety. Rugged Lakeland fells, green limestone valleys, endless purple moorland – all within a single route. Most walkers complete it in around 14 to 21 days.

In practical terms, it is worth booking accommodation in advance, particularly in the Lake District section where the most popular villages fill up quickly in summer. A mix of B&Bs, village pubs with rooms, and campsites are all available throughout.

Like the Camino, the Coast to Coast has a strong sense of community – everyone moving in the same direction and with lots of little rituals too.

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7/ South West Coast Path, UK

England’s South West Coast Path is one of Europe’s longest and most dramatic coastal walks – and one we know in sections rather than as a complete thru-hike. We have walked parts of the route in and they were exceptional. Walking the whole thing remains an ambition, but it does require quite a time investment.

The full route stretches for 1,014km around the coastline of southwest England, from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset. Towering cliffs, hidden beaches, fishing villages, lighthouse headlands, and constant sea air. Some stretches in Cornwall in particular feel almost Mediterranean in summer.

In practical terms, the path is very well waymarked and easy to navigate. Accommodation is plentiful throughout, though popular stretches in high summer can book up fast – particularly around places like St Ives, Padstow, or the Jurassic Coast sections in Dorset. It is perfectly suited to walking in sections across multiple trips, which is exactly how many people approach it.

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8/ Pilgrims Way, UK

The Pilgrims Way runs from Winchester to Canterbury, following one of England’s oldest pilgrimage routes. We haven’t walked the full route, but we know both ends of it well – and they are excellent choices for a start and finish.

Winchester is one of England’s great historic cities. The cathedral is stunning, and spending a night there before setting off gives the walk a genuinely ceremonial beginning. Canterbury is equally compelling at the other end – arriving at the cathedral after days on the trail carries real emotional weight, even for non-religious walkers.

The route itself passes through rolling North Downs countryside, ancient woodlands, and pretty Kent villages. It is shorter and less physically demanding than many long-distance routes on this list, which makes it a good option for first-time walkers or those with limited time.

In practical terms, accommodation is easy to arrange along the route – B&Bs and small hotels are plentiful, and there is no need to book months in advance outside of peak summer. Stages average around 20 to 25km and the navigation is generally straightforward.

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9/ The Corfu Trail, Greece

The Corfu Trail runs from the southern tip of the island to the north, crossing olive groves, mountain villages, cliffs, and coastline. It takes around 8 to 10 days to walk in full.

We absolutely loved this route. The balance between walking and swimming is unlike anything else on this list – mornings climbing through quiet hillsides, afternoons cooling off in the Ionian Sea.

Accommodation is straightforward, with small hotels offering rooms throughout the route. There are no dedicated pilgrim hostels, so it pays to book a night or two in advance during summer months. Navigation can occasionally be tricky so downloading the trail on a GPS app before you go is worthwhile.

The food and atmosphere in the villages is one of the highlights.

Compared with the Camino, the Corfu Trail is quieter and wilder. You are unlikely to meet many other long-distance walkers (although we did meet a few). But for a shorter Mediterranean route combining mountains, sea, and excellent food, it is a brilliant option.

You can find our detailed guides to the Corfu Trail here.

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10/ The Dry Stone Route, Mallorca

Mallorca’s Dry Stone Route, or GR221, is one of the best Mediterranean mountain walks we have experienced.

The route crosses the Serra de Tramuntana, weaving between mountain villages, olive groves and climbing to high peaks.

Many people associate Mallorca purely with beach resorts, which makes this trail feel like such a pleasant surprise.

The mountain scenery is spectacular. But we also loved the atmosphere in villages like Deià and Sóller. As well as the chance to spend a couple of afternoons on the beach.

Accommodation on the GR221 can require planning, particularly if you want to stay in the mountain refuges. These are inexpensive and offer “Camino style” bunk beds. There are also hotels along the way. But if you want a bit of a social walk, then staying at the refuges helps – join communal dinners which feel not dissimilar to the Camino.

It doesn’t require the same time commitment as the longer Camino routes, but for anyone wanting a shorter route that combines mountains, sunshine, and excellent food, this is a brilliant option.

You can find our detailed guides to the Dry Stone Route here.

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11/ La via di Francesco, Italy

If the Camino is associated with St James, then La Via di Francesco belongs to St Francis of Assisi. The route crosses central Italy through Umbria, Tuscany, and Lazio, linking places associated with the saint’s life.

We have yet to walk this route, but we have it firmly in our sights for the next few years. What we expect, is that it shares many similarities with the Camino, but with a distinctly Italian flavour.

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12/ The GR131 or the Gran Canaria Camino, Canary Islands

There are actually two distinct long-distance walking experiences in the Canary Islands worth knowing about, and they are quite different in character.

The GR131 is less a single trail and more an epic island-hopping adventure. Stretching across several islands – Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro – the route traverses volcanic landscapes, cloud forests, lava fields, and high mountain ridges. Ferries between islands create natural breaks in the journey.

La Gomera in particular completely stole our hearts. Misty laurel forests one day, barren volcanic ridges the next – it feels genuinely otherworldly. I’ll admit, the GR131 is a slightly more rugged experience than the Camino, but it’s possible to book a self-guided tour, which means you don’t have to camp!

You can find our guides to the GR131 here.

The Gran Canaria Camino is something different entirely. This is a genuine pilgrimage route, running from Faro de Maspalomas to the Church of Santiago de Los Caballeros in Gálda. You can find an excellent guide to this route here.

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13/ Fisherman’s Trail, Portugal

Portugal’s Fisherman’s Trail has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and honestly, it is not hard to see why. We absolutely loved this route and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Following the Atlantic coastline south from Porto Covo towards Lagos, the trail delivers cliff views, sandy beaches, fishing villages, and long stretches of cliffside path above the ocean. On paper it sounds almost too good to be true. In practice, it pretty much delivers.

That said, it is worth going in with realistic expectations. The walking is not especially technical, but sand – and there is a lot of it – makes certain stages genuinely tiring.

Accommodation is plentiful with some divine hotels and small hostels on route. It is not as well-served as the Camino in terms of pilgrim infrastructure, so booking a night or two ahead in peak is sensible rather than assuming you will always find something on arrival. You can find our guide to where to stay on the Fisherman’s Trail here.

What really makes the route though is the pace of it all. It’s a languid walk, where you can choose longer or shorter days. We loved finishing by lunch time and spending the afternoon on the beach.

We met lots of hikers on route too, and if you wanted to socialise, you definitely could.

Find our detailed guides to the Fisherman’s Trail here.

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14/ The Camino de Fátima, Portugal

We haven’t yet walked the Camino de Fátima, but it is a route we are keen to experience. From everything we have read and heard, it offers something genuinely distinct from the Camino de Santiago.

The route leads to the Sanctuary of Fátima, one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, passing through quiet villages, forests, farmland, and small towns. The most popular starting point is Lisbon, with the walk taking around 7 to 9 days – though routes from Porto and other starting points also exist.

In practical terms, accommodation is available throughout in small guesthouses, hotels, and some religious houses. It is less well-developed than the Camino de Santiago in terms of pilgrim infrastructure.

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15/  French Camino Routes to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France

We haven’t yet walked these routes in full, but we have spent time in this part of France and it is absolutely on our list. The landscapes, the food, the unhurried pace of rural French life – everything about it suggests it would be a wonderful way to walk.

Rather than a single path, the French Camino is a whole network of ancient pilgrimage trails gradually converging on Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port before crossing into Spain.

The Via Podiensis is the most famous, beginning in Le Puy-en-Velay and crossing volcanic landscapes, river valleys, medieval villages and rolling countryside. The Via Lemovicensis crosses quieter rural regions through Limoges and the Dordogne. The Via Tolosana heads through southern France beneath the Pyrenees, linking Toulouse and Lourdes.

In practical terms, gîtes d’étape are the standard accommodation on these routes – think simple pilgrim hostels, often family-run, with an evening meal included. Stages average around 20 to 25km, and the routes are well-waymarked.

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More Camino resources

If you’ve landed on this page, you may be interested to know that we’ve got oodles of comprehensive guides to the Camino de Santiago on this website. Routes guides for major routes, packing guides, training information and more.

>>FIND OUR CAMINO DE SANTIAGO PAGE HERE<<

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Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.

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