A pilgrim’s tale

Much has been written about the healing powers of pilgrimage - how the simple act of long distance walking can be a tonic for mind and body. But as Phoebe Smith, the author of a new book on Britain’s ancient paths, explains, it doesn’t need to be an extended, weeks-long hike to have benefits - and you don’t need to be religious either.
In her piece, Smith argues that pilgrim paths that can be completed in a single day, or truncated sections of longer routes, can be just as rewarding as multiday quests. “The main criteria is that they are a ‘walk with a purpose’. I believe they can help us all find meaning, whatever our beliefs,” she says.
Smith describes a hike with an old friend along the St Michael’s Way in Cornwall, a 14-mile route from Lelant near St Ives to St Michael’s Mount. The day-trip allowed the women space to “reconnect the dots in their own lives” as they shared tales of work, love and life events, and mused on local folklore and history.
You can read about 10 more short pilgrimages chosen by Smith on the website this week too. From the John Bunyan trail to Silbury Hill, these special hikes offer a chance to soak up myths and legends, stretch limbs and soothe souls. Happy hiking!