Pilgrim’s Tales/ Templar Trail

What is the Templar Trail?

As described in the book Along the Templar Trail, it’s a walking path similar to the route followed during the First Crusades in 1096 by Godfrey de Bouillon and his 40,000 troops from France to liberate the city of Jerusalem. It stretches across eleven countries and two continents. It took those troops four years to reach the Holy City. From those soldiers, nine were selected to become the first Poor Knights of Christ of the Temple of Solomon—or the first Knights Templar.

It all began innocently enough. I’d backpacked through nearly one hundred countries, but after checking the “must-sees” off my list I was looking for something more. Challenging? Intense? Satisfying? Well, a thousand kilometer trek across Tibet in 1992 with my wife Cheryl allowed me to glimpse the possibilities outside the usual traveler’s box.

The Camino de Santiago, Spain

Although they say it’s the journey that matters and not the destination, I, too, had my doubts. That was until I heard about Spain’s Camino de Santiago. And what a difference that trip has made. If the idea of exploring Europe is met by a “been there, done that” response, think again.

The Via Francigena, England to Rome

In the entire world, reportedly, there were three roads to Paradise in early Christendom. The first is the Camino de Santiago that meanders 500 miles across northern Spain. This has been trekked by millions of faithful for centuries on their way to pay homage to the remains of the apostle St. James in Santiago de Compostela. Of course, the path from Rome, center of the Holy See, to Jerusalem must appear in this sacred trinity. But in second position and gaining in popularity is the Via Francigena.

St. Olav’s Way, Oslo to Trondheim, Norway

I couldn’t believe what confronted me as I crested the rise. Two moose, a mother and her calf, blocked my pathway. Slowly I lowered my pack and attempted to free my camera. But before I could capture them on film, they set off on an ethereal lope into the surrounding pine forest.

St. Olav’s Way, Sweden to Trondheim, Norway

St. Olav’s Way has intrigued me for years. I first heard its clarion call from deep within my soul in 2004 when I made a fulfilling trek from Oslo to Trondheim. Now a decade later and still filled with Viking wanderlust, I answered once again.