Sustainable travel focuses on minimizing environmental impact while exploring new places. When we consider what is wasteful or harmful to the planet, it’s synonymous with activity – going places, taking flights, buying things, and waste. However, doing less is no way to live, we just need to figure out how we can travel and consume with as minimal impact as possible.
Camino de Santiago, Spain
The Camino de Santiago is a historic pilgrimage route. The Way of Saint James is a popular segment, and in recent years eco-friendly accommodations and local food establishments have cropped up.
Travelers can stay in green-certified hostels and enjoy meals made from locally sourced ingredients – even vegan. The route’s management emphasizes preserving the natural environment and efforts include waste reduction programs, eco-friendly signage, and trail maintenance practices that protect local fauna. Pilgrims are encouraged to use reusable water bottles and, of course, to not litter.
Kumano Kodo, Japan
The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering a journey through serene forest trails and ancient shrines. Travelers stay in traditional Japanese inns, or ryokan, which promote sustainable tourism by using local products and conserving resources.
The route’s natural beauty and cultural heritage are preserved through careful management. The trails are maintained with minimal impact on the environment and you can support local artisans and food producers along the way.
Inca Trail, Peru
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage routes. Sustainable travel efforts on the trail include regulated access to reduce foot traffic – which is an important one when walking on such ruins – and prevent erosion.
Eco-friendly camping practices, such as using portable toilets and pack-in-pack-out policies, help keep the environment unspoiled. Travelers support local communities by hiring local guides and porters, contributing to the local economy, but they can also advise on how to minimize your impact. There are also volunteer opportunities with conservation projects to protect the trail and its surroundings, ensuring that the Inca Trail remains a sustainable trail.
The Pilgrim’s Way, United Kingdom
The Pilgrim’s Way from Winchester to Canterbury is a historic route through scenic English countryside. Sustainable tourism practices include using public transport to access the trail (for Brits, this means not flying anywhere).
The route promotes local heritage by encouraging visits to historical landmarks and supporting local businesses. Travelers can soak in the picturesque landscapes and boutique countryside shops.
Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japan
The Shikoku Pilgrimage visits 88 temples around Shikoku Island. Sustainable aspects include staying in traditional pilgrim lodgings (shukubo) that use local products and conserve resources – these are far from commodified establishments.
The pilgrimage encourages eco-friendly travel methods, such as walking and public transport, to reduce carbon emissions. The route’s management promotes environmental education and preservation of cultural heritage. By supporting local communities, you’re actually preserving the natural environment so the Shikoku Pilgrimage can offer a sustainable travel experience.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly pilgrimage routes provide a meaningful way to travel while minimizing environmental impact. Sometimes, money is important, and it’s needed for preservation efforts. Therefore, the way these shrines and trails stay well-maintained is with the revenue generated by tourists. The balance, then, is about limited foot traffic and ensuring the local areas is focused on sustainability – meaning that your choice of destination is what matters to the environment.