Hidden Caminos: Discover Europe’s Secret Pilgrimage Paths

In our hectic modern lives, the timeless tradition of the pilgrimage looks ever more attractive. To get away from our tech devices that hold a monopoly on our attention is increasingly popular, and instead focus on a physical challenge with spiritual undertones.

Many believe Camino de Santiago to be a single trail heading towards Northwestern Spain. However, these trails fragment and exist all around Europe, meaning you have a chance to jump into a time capsule and head on some iconic trails wherever you are.

Ireland’s Secret Pilgrimage Trails

Ireland, with its ancient Christian heritage and classicly rolling hills, has some lesser-known pilgrimage trails in Ireland. Tochar Phadraig, or as many call it “St. Patrick’s Way”, is Ireland’s longest surviving pilgrimage route.

It begins at the Romanesque Ballintubber Abbey, and the route is a modest 37km winding west towards the Atlantic coast of Mayo, following an old royal road. It passes holy wells and early Christian remnants.

The Derrynane Mass Path in County Kerry is even less well known, yet it’s a stunning coastal trail that was used during Penal times when Catholic masses were outlawed. People would secretly gather at mass rocks for worship, and you can feel that history even to this day.

The Pass of the Birds (Mám Éan) is perhaps the most niche trail on this list, as it heads to the Connemara region, which is very rural. The site is very charming with its small chapel, and being a fairly hidden location, it meant it was once used as a secret outdoor church when Catholicism was banned in the country.

Scotland’s Lesser-Known Pilgrim Routes

Scotland boasts a network of 14 long-distance pilgrim paths in Scotland, many of which can be booked through Obris Ways, where you can see the best of the highlands and loches. St. Cuthbert’s Way is a very scenic path that goes from Melrose to Lindisfarne and crosses the Scottish Borders.

The Way of St. Andrew is a journey through Fife that ends at St. Andrews Cathedral, which for twelve centuries was home to some of the relics of St Andrew. The Fife Pilgrim Way is a 64-mile walking route St Andrews, while there is a Northern Pilgrims’ Way that heads from Tain to Kirkwall. Finally, the Iona to Killin Route is a spiritual trail linked to St. Columba, meaning the sacred Isle of Iona is connected to mainland Scotland.

Greece’s Hidden Pilgrimage Gems

With the interesting religious history of Ireland and Scotland, Greece offers something a little different but just as interesting. The historic nation has a rich Orthodox Christian heritage, meaning it, unsurprisingly, has many hidden pilgrimage gems in Greece.

Mount Athos is an exclusive male-only pilgrimage site, where monks dedicated their lives to prayer, and many call the Garden of the Virgin Mary. It has some great sea views though, and it remains an exclusion to the gender equality laws from the EU despite sometimes being challenged.

In northwestern Greece, the Vikos Gorge Trails is perfect for nature lovers as it heads through the Greek countryside, where you’ll find vineyards and olive groves.

These hidden Caminos of Europe offer something a little different to the Camino Frances for example, as there are more niche pockets of religious history and often fewer people on the trails.