The French Camino is our third trek on a pilgrimage route, all marked by centuries of walking by Christians from all over the world. These days, many walk the paths for non-religious reasons, but it is almost impossible not to feel some spiritual aspect of each trek.

Our first pilgrimage path, in 2013, was the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) across Spain and our second, in 2018, was Italy’s Way of St. Francis across northern Tuscany and through the Umbrian Mountains to Vatican City and Rome. Both finished at grand cathedrals, where spirits of pilgrims past seem to greet all who walk in their shadows. For a few trekkers we have met here, the French Camino continues beyond our current finishing point, St Jean Pied du Port, and continues all the way across Spain to Santiago de Compostela, as it did for centuries.

The finish of both our previous pilgrim treks was bittersweet. Our tired bodies welcomed the end, but our hearts told us we would miss the depth of experiences. As we near the end of the French Camino, our longest walk, I wonder how we will feel this time—after more than a million steps.

The third finish for Christian pilgrimages is Jerusalem, one we are unlikely to experience. But we won’t say never, will we?