Pilgrims' Trail
The Pilgrims' Trail is a walking route in Hampshire stretching about 50 kilometers from Winchester to Portsmouth and takes around three days to complete. The path passes through rolling hills and countryside villages, connecting Winchester Cathedral, the ruins of Hyde Abbey, the St Cross Almshouses, and Portsmouth Cathedral along the way.
The route originates from medieval pilgrimage traditions when walkers traveled to reach shrine sites across the continent. Over time it became reconstructed as a modern path, now supported by the British Pilgrimage Trust to honor both historical and contemporary aspects of pilgrimage.
The trail connects people to centuries of pilgrimage tradition, with medieval walkers having traveled this path to honor saints and seek spiritual meaning. Sacred sites like Winchester Cathedral and small chapels along the route remain places where visitors can experience the religious heritage that shaped this landscape.
The route is designed to be accessible for walkers of all levels and can be completed in about three days. Along the way there are small chapels and rest points to enjoy the surroundings, plus cafes and markets in nearby villages where visitors can find meals and provisions.
The route is connected to the medieval Miquelots, pilgrims who once traveled this path to reach continental shrines. Walking this trail today offers a direct connection to how medieval travelers moved through this same landscape on their journeys.
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