Planning

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin

Planning eliminates unknowns so the journey itself can be spontaneous. The goal is a nice balance between structure and freedom.

People

For group pilgrimages, there are attributes that make the experience better for everyone:

• Flexible and chill — Plans change, weather shifts, routes detour
• Good conversationalist — Willing to go deep, comfortable with silence
• Introspective — Interested in looking inward, not just outward

Send invitations to people who fit these qualities. Not everyone in your life is the right fit — and that’s fine. A small, aligned group is better than a large, mismatched one.

Group Size

• Ideal: 8–10 people
• Maximum: 12
• Minimum: 3–4 (conversations may thin after a few days with fewer)

Add a buffer of one extra person — someone often cancels last minute.

Duration

• Ideal: 5–7 days
• Why: The group vibe builds slowly in the first days. By midpoint to end, people develop a harmonizing group energy.
• Shorter (2–3 days): Works for local pilgrimages or first-time groups
• Longer (10+ days): For experienced groups or epic routes

Set concrete dates and plan around them. You can always arrive early or leave later to explore on your own.

Choosing a Location

For local pilgrimages:

• Find walking routes near you — rail trails, river paths, coastal walks, pilgrimage routes
• Parks and nature preserves with connected trail systems
• Urban walking routes through quiet neighborhoods

For travel pilgrimages:

• Established pilgrimage routes (Camino de Santiago, Shikoku, Kumano Kodo)
• Rural areas with connected villages and accommodation
• Landscapes that inspire — mountains, coastlines, forests
• Consider the season, climate, and terrain difficulty

Route Planning

• Aim for 13 km (8 miles) per day — enough movement, no exhaustion
• Plan routes with accommodation at endpoints (towns, hostels, guesthouses)
• Have a backup plan for bad weather days
• Identify rest spots, water sources, and food options along the way
• Download offline maps

Logistics

Accommodation: Simple is better. Guesthouses, hostels, or camping. The point isn’t luxury — it’s proximity to the experience.

Food: Eat local. Find markets, bakeries, and simple restaurants. Pack snacks for the trail. Share meals together.

Budget: Keep it accessible. Pilgrimages shouldn’t require wealth. Split shared costs evenly.

Transport: Public transit to the start/end points. Walk everything in between.

Luggage transfer: For group pilgrimages, arrange for someone to move luggage between accommodations each day. A local driver, a taxi service, or a dedicated tour support vehicle — whatever works for the route. This lets everyone walk with just a daypack, which changes the experience entirely. Lighter body, lighter mind. Coordinate pickup and drop-off times with your accommodation hosts ahead of time.

Welcome Gathering

For group pilgrimages, plan a shared meal the evening before the first walk. This is where the group forms — not on the trail.

• Share the route and daily rhythm
• Set expectations together (digital detox, pace, silence tags)
• Let people voice concerns or ask questions
• Set intentions — individually or as a group

This is optional. Not everyone can arrive early, and that’s fine — they’ll find the rhythm on day one.

If you’re crossing time zones: Arrive a day or two before the gathering to adjust. Jetlag and a 13 km walk don’t mix. Give your body time to reset so you can be present from the first step.

Solo Planning

Solo pilgrimages need less coordination but more self-reliance:

• Share your route with someone at home
• Carry a charged phone for emergencies and navigation
• Book accommodation in advance (or carry a tent)
• Plan realistic daily distances — you don’t have a group to motivate you through fatigue

Timeline

Group travel pilgrimages benefit from 3–6 months of planning. Solo local pilgrimages can happen this weekend.