Why pilgrims and writing go hand-in-hand

Humans have always been a mammal species characterized by long-distance movement. In the 20th century, we began to lose our way as we built car-centric cities, but there has been a resurgence. While physical health is one reason, so too has been a realization that walking boosts creative thinking. And it got us thinking – what did walking mean to past literary giants?

The neurological synergy of walking and writing

When we walk, our brains undergo some interesting changes. The bilateral movement of walking stimulates both hemispheres of the brain, creating connections between logical and creative thinking. Research has shown that walking enhances divergent thinking, a crucial skill for generating plot lines and making unexpected connections. It’s the gentle and repetitive motion that creates a quiet, allowing for breakthrough moments as we separate ourselves from insular, muddy thinking. It allows writers to access thoughts that remain elusive when sitting at a desk.

The pilgrimage experience really is the epitome of this. Unlike casual strolls, pilgrimages like those found on Santiago Ways routes offer week-long periods of uninterrupted walking. It’s a bit like a silent meditation retreat, but not as intense, and with the added benefit of rhythmic walking rather than the relentless body scanning that often accompanies it. You’re being primed to think and enter a deeper state of contemplation.

Literary giants who walked

History is filled with many celebrated authors who understood this connection between walking and writing. Charles Dickens was legendary for his nocturnal walks through London, often covering 20-30 miles in a single night while working through plot complications. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations may not have existed without these walks. 

Virginia Woolf found her creative voice during very long walks across the English countryside, particularly around her home in Sussex. She described walking as the absolute bedrock of her writing process, noting how the rhythm of her steps matched the rhythm of her prose. Similarly, William Wordsworth composed much of his poetry while walking the Lake District – he would literally think on his feet as he crafted verses that celebrated the natural world.

More recently, author Cheryl Strayed turned her solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail into the bestselling memoir “Wild”. It really showed how transformative journeys can become grand narratives. Her experience demonstrates how revelations gained through long-distance walking, despite its challenges, can provide both content and emotional depth.

The modern pilgrimage as a writing retreat

Today’s writers are rediscovering the power of pilgrimage as a form of intensive writing retreat. In fact, it’s quite a bit cheaper than other forms of retreats, yet allows for more space to think and write. Routes like the Camino de Santiago, accessible through organizations like Santiago Ways, offer the ideal balance of physical challenge, spiritual reflection, and cultural immersion. They’re not dangerous feats of mountaineering, put it that way.

The stripped-down nature of pilgrimage life is also compelling in this regard. You carry just a few essentials, away from home comforts, and follow ancient paths. This can create a space for camaraderie with fellow travelers, where you may hear unique stories, as people tend to open up quickly on the trail. 

Just as each step brings pilgrims closer to their goal, each walking meditation brings writers closer to their authentic voice.