Pilgrim trails have come full circle — why have they become so popular?

However, unlike penitents past, many will have their backpack moved ahead each day, while none will take on the arduous task of footing it back to the starting point, as medieval pilgrims were obliged to do, notes John G O'Dwyer

People are again taking to these ancient tracks on about 500 kilometres of fully waymarked trails that follow the steps of penitents past

A feature of our time has been that the ancient paths once footed by medieval pilgrims are having a renewed moment.

Seeking meaning beyond materialism and recourse, for a time at least, to a less complicated way of living, increasing numbers are seeking the elusive butterfly of fulfilment and self-awareness by walking the Pilgrim Path to Canterbury, St Olav’s Way in Norway and the Via Francigena to Rome.