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Utrecht, Netherlands to Tours, France:
Walking in the Footsteps of Saint Martin
Utrecht, Netherlands to Tours, France:
Walking in the Footsteps of Saint Martin
850 km (525 miles) 🌎 41 walking days 🌎 15 August - 25 September 2026
Pilgrimage Overview
Pilgrimage Overview
A pilgrim needs a destination. Without one, a traveler is simply a vagabond. Retracing the journey of a spiritual hero has long been the path of pilgrims, and this journey is no different.
The Via Sancti Martini is a vast network of pilgrimage routes through 12 countries, honoring Saint Martin of Tours. Pilgrimages to his tomb began immediately after his death in 397, drawing devotees to venerate this humble soldier-turned-monk-turned-bishop. Many of the pathways in the modern network trace the very routes Martin himself traveled during the turbulent collapse of the Roman Empire—a time of uncertainty, unstable governments, and mass migrations.
The entire network spans more than 5,000 km (3,000 mi) across Europe, linking towns significant to his life and veneration. Thousands of monuments dedicated to him remain, including fourteen cathedrals. The international effort to promote these routes is guided by the core values of Saint Martin’s faith—compassion, equality, justice, charity, tolerance, and humility. This route has been recognized by the Council of Europe as a European Cultural Route.Â
While all the routes are compelling, this pilgrimage links the vast region of northern Gaul where well-traveled Martin was first a soldier, later an evangelizing bishop. Utrecht was the capital of the region since the Romans built an outpost there in 50 AD; the Cathedral of St Martin, dating to the early 7th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the notable starting point of this pilgrimage. The sections in the Netherlands and Belgium Flanders is generally signposted and primarily uses existing long distance walking paths.  Passing through Antwerp, Ghent and Ypres, history and culture are imbued in the journey.
The route links up many churches dedicated to St Martin, and includes six towns in France named for him. Entering France near Lille, an important stop along the way is in Amiens, where Martin famously shared his cloak with a man suffering in the cold, an event which happened around 336 AD and never forgotten. The itinerary passes through Paris, noting Porte Saint Martin, crossing the Canal of Saint Martin, then continuing towards Chartres and Amboise before arriving along the Loire River to the final destination of his tomb-shrine at the Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours.
Pilgrimage Details
Pilgrimage Details
Start Date: 15 August 2026, Utrecht, Netherlands
End Date: 25 September 2026, Tours, France
Duration: 41 days: avg 20 km/day (12 mi/day)
Distance: Approx. 850 km (~525 mi)
Terrain: Rural roads, bikepaths, footpaths
Pilgrims will gather in Utrecht the afternoon before departure and embark the following morning, walking an average of 20 km (12 mi) per day not to exceed 25 km (16 mi).
How Does This Pilgrimage Work?
How Does This Pilgrimage Work?
A pilgrimage is personal, but not private. A small group of pilgrims of varying levels of fitness will journey together along with Pilgrim Ann, each carrying only the essentials. A recommended packing list includes:
A small backpack (25-35 liters, target weight 12-18 lbs)
A change of clothes, cheap stadium poncho, toiletries, sports towel, light sleeping bag, sleeping pad
'Evening shoes', basic first aid, and
a smartphone with a European charger
Each morning, pilgrims will be given a GPS location via Maps.me and Google Maps with instructions to arrive by 5:00 PM. The path taken is up to each individual—some may seek out village churches filled with art, others may follow rivers or explore Roman ruins. Ann, meanwhile, will arrange indoor sleeping accommodations at local community centers, sports clubs, libraries, schools, monasteries, or wherever hospitality is available. Trust, faith, and flexibility are key. Uncertainty is the condition of faith.
Meals will be largely communal. Breakfast and dinner will be prepared in whatever kitchen is available, and lunch will be a picnic of leftovers or food found along the way. Costs will be shared, with a typical budget of at lease $10-$30 per day, plus café stops as desired. Of course, pilgrims are welcome to break away from the group to stay in a hotel or gite as they can be found, at their own expense.
Language skills (English, Dutch, French) are helpful but not required—electronic translators make communication easier, and immersion accelerates learning. The journey fosters teamwork, independence, and deep bonds. No pilgrim left behind.
Why Saint Martin of Tours?
Why Saint Martin of Tours?
Saint Martin is a universal hero—a real person who struggled with life’s hardships and remained a model of virtue. He was the first non-martyr to be canonized, recognized for his acts of compassion, tolerance, and justice.
Born in 316 in present-day Hungary, he was raised in Italy and conscripted into the Roman army at fifteen. While stationed in Amiens, France, he famously cut his cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar. Soon after, he had a vision of Christ and converted to Christianity. Leaving the army, he became a disciple of Saint Hilary of Poitiers and eventually founded the first monastery in Europe at Ligugé. Later, he was chosen—rather against his will—to become the Bishop of Tours. Throughout his life, he traveled widely, founding churches and promoting peace. He died in 397 and was buried in Tours, where his tomb remains a major pilgrimage site and is the destination of the pilgrimage. His position as a great hero of Europe, a guiding figure of faith and action, prompts countless pilgrims to honor him.
On this pilgrimage, we follow in his footsteps, embracing the values of charity, faith, and community. Join us on this unforgettable journey.
📧 societyofservantpilgrims@gmail.com
References
References
YouTube documentaries about St Martin
Itching for an epic journey? Curious about stepping into the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims? The Saint Martin pilgrimage walking from Utrecht to Tours, visiting beautiful, historic villages and the vestiges of Roman civilization, isn’t just history—it’s a journey waiting for you to bring it to life. Whether you’re looking for adventure, meaning, or a break from the ordinary, this pilgrimage offers something real.
Reach out to find out how to make it happen!Â
societyofservantpilgrims@gmail.com
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