by Amanda Wagstaff, Hut2Hut Pilgrimage Editor
The Tóchar Phádraig path to the holy mountain Croagh Patrick © Amanda Wagstaff 2016
I left Dublin early in the morning for Castlebar. I was going to walk the Tóchar Phádraig, or St. Patrick’s Causeway, the pilgrim walk from Ballintubber Abbey to the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick. The bus ride through the midlands of Ireland was beautiful, cloudy with instances of sun, rain, and hail. (Yea, all of those.)
Article and photos by Amanda Wren Wagstaff, Fulbright Scholar in Ireland 2015-16
The Wicklow Way, Co. Wicklow, Ireland: This was a two day trip over a small portion of the Wicklow Way, specifically Oldbridge to Glendalough to Glenmalure. A map of the entire 127km trail can be found here: http://www.wicklowway.com./ This website also offers useful information about accommodation, profiles of the villages along the route, trail services (such as baggage transfers,) and walking tips.
Submitted by Laurel Bradley, December 2015; Photo above is of our guide Jamal and the author.
Taking advantage of cheap international flights from my 2015-16 homebase of Dublin, Ireland, my husband and I travelled to Morocco for the 2015 Christmas season. Avid hikers, we sought access to mountains near Marrakech, our debarkation point. We found the perfect opportunity to walk 4-6 hours daily through agricultural valleys and rocky or forested mountains, and to experience the particular pleasures of Berber culture with a five day, four night journey organized by Berber Travel Adventures, a small company based in Amazmiz (55 km from Marrakech). Jamal, the sole proprietor and trained mountain guide, led the way. We were also accompanied by Mohammad, an able and cheerful muleteer, and by Maria, the patient beast of burden. They put together a great trip for us!
Check out these pictures of a form of vernacular architecture for pilgrims! My acupuncturist friend Kazuhiro Watase returns to Japan every year for a pilgrimage walk. Turning 60 this year he is treating himself to three walks! Knowing of my interest in huts and shelters he kindly sent me photographs of some of the very simple shelters along the Shikoku Pilgrimage, where most pilgrims stay in one of the 88 temples visited on the walk, or in local guest houses. On his next walk he will send pictures of the temples and guest houses.
These simple shelters are for those looking for free places for resting and sleeping The are mostly open-air shelters. Most do not have running water, mattresses, or other amenities, but are perfect for backpackers. The shelters are cared for by locals and other pilgrims.
Where: San Juan Huts, Ridgway, Colorado, http://sanjuanhuts.com Hiked the Sneffels Traverse in late August, from Last Dollar Hut to Silverton, staying in four huts.
Amenities: The huts are basic, but comfortable. They have good cooking facilities, wood stove (which we didn’t need in August), nice areas for seating outside, and great outdoor settings.
Trip description: Four of us made the delightful 30 mile trek and thoroughly enjoyed hiking day after day at tree-line, circling around Mt. Sneffels though the woodlands and pastures. On the first two days we gathered lots of Chantrelle mushrooms, which enriched our risotto and other meals. We happened to be hiking in parallel with two couples, who were great company. The huts offer basic comfort, conviviality, and a chance to rest and recreate after a nice days walk.
Walking Distance: Extraordinary Hikes for Ordinary People, by Robert and Martha Manning, Oregon State University Press, 2013
The message of this beautiful, intelligent, and highly readable book is: long distance walking is within the walking distance of ordinary folks. Walking Distance makes the unique and primeval pleasures of long distance walking seem accessible to the average healthy person. Which it is!
Date: 01.09.15 – 01.11.15
Submitted by: Sam Demas
Location: Maine Huts and Trails, Kingfield, Maine
Website: http://www.mainehuts.org
Names of huts visited: Stratton Brook and Poplar
Huts of Mont Megantic National Park, Quebec
Date: 02.02.15—02.04.15
Submitted by: Rob Stenger, Hutmaster, Maine Huts and Trails
Location: Mont Megantic National Park, Quebec Province, Canada
Website: http://www.sepaq.com/pq/mme/index.dot
Names of Huts visited: La Voie Lactee, Col-des-Trois-Sommets, La Grande Ourse, La Petite Ourse, Pelerins, Le Mont-Saint-Joseph