Historic & Pilgrim Routes
Whilst ATG has established many new walking routes across Europe, others have existed for centuries. Roman roads, celebrated pilgrim ways and well-trodden trading routes – all these ancient paths are strewn with fascinating sites and historic towns that once profited from the high volume of travellers that passed through.
Whether you are looking for a continuous walking route along one of these renowned tracks or a trip touching upon the best sections, ATG offers a variety of carefully researched options, both Escorted and Independent.
Portugal
Follow a high route along stone-paved paths and rocky trails through the mountains of the Peneda National Park – a little-explored corner of Portugal.
• Stays in hospitable, remote mountain villages
• Unique walking across ancient granite landscapes
• Visit the ancient Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora in Peneda
• Striking evidence of Megalithic civilisation & Roman occupation
Independent
Moderate to Challenging Walking
Duration: 8 or 9 days
Route Open:May, June, July, September, October
Price: from £1,300 per person
Italy
Journey through ever-changing, wide open, rolling landscapes punctuated by hilltop towns, cypress trees, vineyards, olive groves and ancient forest.
• Enjoy timeless scenery as seen in medieval paintings
• Walk a section of the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrim route
• Perfectly preserved medieval towns including San Gimignano & Siena
• First stage of a three-part, continuous 225-mile route to Rome
Independent
Moderate Walking
Duration: 8 days
Route Open:April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Price: from £1,420 per person
Italy
Walk ancient paths from Tuscany south into Lazio, crossing rolling hills, volcanic plateaux, passing through vineyards and woods.
• Walk a section of the Via Cassia, an ancient Roman road
• Take a dip in volcanic springs & Italy’s largest crater lake
• Nights in historic towns, each delightfully different
• Second stage of a three-part, continuous 225-mile route to Rome
Independent
Moderate to Challenging Walking
Duration: 8 days
Route Open:April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Price: from £1,400 per person
Italy
Starting in Viterbo, walk between historic towns along ancient paths, wooded trails and tracks, passing a variety of unspoilt landscapes, all the way to Rome.
• Walk the medieval ‘Via Francigena’ and the Roman ‘Via Cassia’
• Remarkable Roman & Etruscan remains at Sutri
• Impressive finish in the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome
• Third stage of a three-part, continuous 225-mile route to Rome
Independent
Moderate Walking
Duration: 8 days
Route Open:April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Price: from £1,660 per person
Spain
Join ATG along one of the greatest medieval pilgrim routes, walking the best and most historic sections, from the Pyrenees across northern Spain.
• Great cathedrals at Burgos, Leon & Santiago de Compostela
• A delightful succession of legends, histories & narratives
• Days at leisure to enjoy Burgos & Santiago de Compostela
• Variety of regional cuisines & notable wine regions
Escorted
Moderate to Challenging Walking
Duration: 15 days
Trip dates:
23 May - 06 Jun 2026
Price: from £6,880 per person
France
Enjoy varied walking through vineyards and forests, across high hills and meadows, passing famously picturesque villages. High and low route options every day.
• Valleys with the finest vineyards in Alsace
• Nights spent in idyllic medieval towns & villages
• Historic pilgrim paths through the Orbey valley
• Outstanding food & wine
Independent
Moderate to Challenging Walking
Duration: 5, 8 or 9 days
Route Open:April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Price: from £880 per person
Italy
Experience the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany on this escorted walk from Renaissance Florence to Etruscan Volterra, following tracks across vineyards, olive groves and forested hills.
• Optional complimentary extra night at the start in Florence
• Traverse the Chianti Classico wine-growing region
• San Gimignano, the ‘Medieval Manhattan’, with its towers & arts scene
• Optional walk to explore Volterra’s Etruscan sights
Escorted
Moderate Walking
Duration: 8 days
Trip dates:
25 Oct - 01 Nov 2026
Price: from £3,960 per person
Italy
Walk from Florence, art capital of the Western world, along ancient paths through timeless Tuscan landscapes, to iconic medieval San Gimignano and Etruscan Volterra.
• Famed Renaissance art & architecture of Florence
• Discover San Gimignano, a ‘medieval Manhattan’ with its iconic towers
• Explore the ancient Etruscan and Roman sites of Volterra
• Stay on a wine estate in the Chianti Classico region
Independent
Moderate to Challenging Walking
Duration: 6 or 8 days
Route Open:April, May, June, September, October
Price: from £1,020 per person
Italy
Find and identify the unique flora of the wild Gargano Peninsula with ATG. We walk pilgrim paths, farm and woodland tracks to discover astonishing displays of spring flowers.
• One of Europe’s most notable regions for wild orchids
• Ancient pilgrim paths through the Gargano National Park
• Spectacular views across the coast and Adriatic Sea
• Picturesque white-washed fishing villages & fresh seafood
Escorted
Easy to Moderate Walking
Duration: 8 days
Trip dates:
18 - 25 Apr 2026
Price: from £3,200 per person
Italy
Walk the remote limestone massif of Italy’s ‘spur’, through ancient forest and scented scrub with panoramic views to the cliff paths of the coastline.
• Exceptional springtime flowers with rare & unique species
• Pilgrim path to ancient rock church of Monte Sant Angelo
• Picturesque, whitewashed fishing villages
• Swimming opportunities at idyllic coves & beaches
Escorted
Moderate Walking
Duration: 8 days
Trip dates:
10 - 17 Oct 2026
Price: from £3,300 per person
