(Much of the text - and the photos - on this post has been copied from the relative websites. Please visit them for more info.)
The Abraham Path
The Abraham Path is a route of cultural tourism that retraces the journey made by Abraham (Ibrahim) through the heart of the Middle East some four thousand years ago. Three and a half billion people - over half the human family - trace their history or faith back to Abraham, considered the father of monotheism.
The Abraham Path honours this shared cultural heritage by linking into a single itinerary of outstanding interest and beauty the ancient sites association with Abraham and his family.
The centrepiece of the Abraham Path is a long-distance walking trail, beginning in the Turkish city of Sanliurfa, where many believe Abraham to have been born, and in the nearby ruins of Harran, where Abraham is said to have heard the call of God to 'go forth'. Initially covering a distance of 1200 kms the Abraham Path will pass through some of the finest landscapes, historic sites, and holy places of the Middle East before culminating at Abraham's tomb just south of Jerusalem in the city of Hebron/Al-Khalil. Eventually the route will extend to encompass Abraham's travels to and from Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Interesting blogpost on Abraham for history buffs:
http://www.mormonheretic.org/2009/04/02/jewish-muslim-and-academic-perspectives-on-abraham/
Plus, a video/dvd: www.amazon.com/Mysteries-Bible-Abraham-One-Man/dp/B000BF0CNY
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St Francis of
1) Cammino di Francesco
2) Cammino di Assisi:
On this 300km route it appears that you are allocated a departure date once you have registered to do the walk. "The Cammino of Assisi follows the footprints of St Francis from Assisi and St Anthony from Padua.Unlike the Camino de Santiago in Spain, where you can decide whenever you want to start your pilgrimage, in Assisi this is not possible because of the limited number of beds now available.Departures will be planned with care to ensure comfortable conditions along the way."
350km from La Verna and the woods of the last hills of Tuscany, to the lovely wide Valley of Reiti in Lazio. Trough the most meaningful sites in the life of St Francis, the hills and valleys of Umbria, the geographical heart of Italy.
The new Guide offers 16 stages, breaking the route into two between Spoleto and Collescopoli, allowing the wayfarer to stop and enjoy the special aura of the ancient Franciscan hermitage at Romita di Cesi.
In spring of 2007 the German edition was published and we are hoping that it will be translated into many more languages.
The credential is issued by the Provincia Serafica dei frati Minori for Umbria.
Another website to download a brochure on a St Francis walk is: http://www.viafrancigenadisanfrancesco.com
On this website you will find a wonderful CBS video on St Francis called, "The Secrets of the Saint"
http://cbs4.com/video/?id=17621@wfor.dayport.com
Q: Why are there 3 St Francis walks - two that practically follow each other from the north?
A: Because the founders of the three routes have not yet been able to work together and each one offers a credential and a certificate if you walk 'their' route.
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ST OLAV'S WAY
www.pilegrim.info
Not long after the Saint King, Olav Haraldsson, fell in battle at Stiklestad in 1030, Nidaros became a popular goal for people seeking to redeem their souls at his shrine. Olav became
The present
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THE ST PAUL'S TRAIL:
Turkey - www.stpaultrail.com
The St Paul Trail is a way-marked footpath from Perge, 10 km E of Antalya, to
This project partly follows the route walked by
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The Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage - Japan
There are many similarities with the Shikoku pilgrimage and the caminos to
Both started in the 8th C. Both issue a document to be carried by the pilgrim, which is stamped along the way: both offer a certificate at the end; both had a distinctive pilgrim dress which identified ‘real’ pilgrims – long cloak, a walking staff, wide brimmed hat and a scrip or carry pouch. Both experienced a ‘golden age’ of pilgrimage and are today experiencing a resurgence of interest. Many Chinese are walking el camino – and many westerners are walking the
Follow a "Henro" on his pilgrimage here: http://henro2009.blogspot.com/2009/04/day-0.html
Youtube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjJOpYTOFVE
The seven founding saints are venerated in the most celebrated of Breton pilgrimage, the Tro Breiz (tour of
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Muktinath - Tibet
The pilgrimage site Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa is located at 3,750 meters at the Annapurna trekking circuit in the Himalayas of Nepal. It is a sacred site that is shared by both Hindus and Tibtean Buddhists and is a wonderful example of how two religions can share the same site with mutual respect and support.
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For a comprehensive list of over 200 different pilgrimage trails in
