Walk the route. Respect the place.

The classic first long pilgrimage, with frequent towns and luggage-transfer options. Allow a weather contingency at the Pyrenees; use the lower route if authorities close the high crossing. A pilgrim credential is useful for dedicated hostels, but do not treat sacred spaces as merely photo stops.

Terrain: Moderate; Pyrenean start and cumulative distance. Season: May–June; September. Overnights: Dense albergue network; reserve busy stretches.

This card covers the inland Galician section from Tui, not the much longer start from Porto or Lisbon and not the coastal route. It is a manageable first week-long walk. Reserve a bed around popular holiday periods and respect residential stretches.

Terrain: Moderate; mixed paths and road approaches. Season: April–June; September–October. Overnights: Frequent towns, albergues and private rooms.

A quieter-feeling alternative to the Francés, not an easier flat seaside walk. Coastal ascents, road sections and Atlantic rain make footwear and stage planning important. Do not assume each village has spare pilgrim beds during beach-holiday season.

Terrain: Demanding; repeated coastal climbs. Season: May–June; September. Overnights: Hostels plus coastal hotels; summer competition.

This is the Italian walking section, not the entire Canterbury-to-Rome journey or its southern extension. Check alpine opening conditions before starting at the pass. Spring and autumn suit lower Tuscany/Lazio sections, but not an assumed snow-free alpine crossing. Book sparse rural stages ahead.

Terrain: Demanding overall; alpine start and Apennines. Season: June–September for the whole section. Overnights: Pilgrim hostels, religious houses and small inns.

The Kii Peninsula is the setting, not a separate duplicate route. This card covers the Takijiri-to-Hongu section. Continuing to Nachi via Koguchi adds difficult mountain stages; do not mistake the whole network for a 38 km walk. Heavy rain, typhoons and limited accommodation can dictate the itinerary.

Terrain: Demanding; steep forest paths and steps. Season: March–May; October–November. Overnights: Small minshuku and ryokan; reserve meals and rooms.

Walking is only one way to visit the temples; a short section is valid too. Expect substantial paved-road walking rather than a continuous wilderness trail. Visitors of any background should follow temple etiquette, ask before photographing worshippers and not assume that gifts or free beds are owed to them.

Terrain: Demanding; road walking and mountain temples. Season: March–May; October–November. Overnights: Pilgrim inns, hotels and some temple lodging.

This is one St Olav route, not a distance for the entire network. The Dovrefjell crossing needs weather-aware planning and adequate equipment; settlement spacing differs greatly from the Camino. Confirm supplies, opening dates and each overnight stop before setting out.

Terrain: Demanding; remote mountain stages. Season: June–August; check mountain conditions. Overnights: Farm stays, pilgrim hostels and inns; book remote stages.