Travel has never been just about movement. It is about tracing the footsteps of those who came before, experiencing landscapes that have shaped civilisations, and feeling the weight of history with every step—or track—along the way.
Much like the ancient pilgrimage routes that guided seekers across Europe, historic train journeys offer a similar sense of discovery, reflection, and connection to the past. One such journey is aboard the Train de l’Ardèche, a steam-powered voyage through time, following centuries-old trade paths, settlements, and landscapes that have remained unchanged.
For those who believe that the journey itself holds more meaning than the destination, there is no better way to travel than along these historic rails.
Travel as a Journey Through History
In an era where speed dominates, slow travel is an act of appreciation. It is the difference between rushing through a place and truly experiencing it.
For centuries, pilgrims walked great distances—not just to reach a sacred site but to find meaning along the way. In much the same way, travelling by historic train invites passengers to slow down, observe, and reflect.
The Train de l’Ardèche, winding through France’s Doux Valley, is more than a mode of transport. It is a moving tribute to the past, where the rhythm of the wheels on the tracks echoes the deliberate footsteps of those who walked these lands long before.
Steam Trains and Pilgrimage Roads A Shared Legacy of Travel
For centuries, pilgrimage routes connected cities, faith sites, and cultures, forming a web of pathways that shaped European history. The rise of rail travel in the 19th century did something similar—linking people, traditions, and landscapes in a way never seen before.
Many of Europe’s historic train lines, including the Train de l’Ardèche, were built along old trade and pilgrimage routes, making them an extension of those original paths. Travelling these rails today is much like following a pilgrimage route by foot—it is a journey of observation, patience, and connection to the world around you.
Where pilgrims once followed dirt trails and cobbled roads, today’s travellers can witness the same landscapes unfold from the windows of a historic steam train, breathing in the past with every mile of track laid before them.
The Train de l’Ardèche A Journey into the Past
Stepping aboard the Train de l’Ardèche feels like stepping into a different time. The carriages, the chugging steam engine, the scent of burning coal—it all evokes a slower, more deliberate age of travel.
As the train winds through the rugged Doux Valley, passengers are treated to breathtaking landscapes, from stone bridges to rolling vineyards, medieval villages, and forested hills untouched by modern development.
There is something deeply nostalgic and immersive about the experience. Unlike modern trains that rush from station to station, the Train de l’Ardèche invites travellers to sit back, breathe deeply, and take in the surroundings—a philosophy that mirrors the spirit of pilgrimage travel.
Pilgrimage and Rail Travel The Beauty of the Journey
Pilgrimage has always been about more than reaching a destination. The act of travelling itself—the lessons learned, the sights absorbed, and the patience required—is where its true power lies.
Train travel, especially along historical routes, reflects this same principle. There is no rush, no urgency, just the steady, rhythmic movement forward.
Both forms of travel offer:
- A break from modern distractions – Pilgrims walk for days, free from digital noise. Train travellers disconnect, lulled into a meditative state by the motion of the train.
- A chance to reflect – On foot or by rail, both allow time for thought, stillness, and personal discovery.
- A connection to history – Walking an ancient road or riding a historic train means experiencing the past in the present, one step—or one track—at a time.
Where a pilgrim follows a sacred path, a traveller on a historic railway follows the legacy of explorers, traders, and engineers who shaped the modern world.
Following in the Footsteps of Pilgrims and Explorers
Europe is full of historic pilgrimage routes and railway lines that intertwine, often following the same ancient paths. A few examples include:
- The Camino Railway (Spain) – Running parallel to the Camino de Santiago, one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage routes.
- The Pilgrim Express (Italy) – Connecting major religious destinations like Rome and Assisi, following centuries-old pilgrimage paths.
- The Train de l’Ardèche (France) – Travelling through ancient landscapes once walked by merchants, religious communities, and explorers.
These journeys, whether on foot or by train, carry the same spirit—the idea that travel is more than just movement. It is about learning, appreciating, and rediscovering what has always been there.
A Journey Through Time The Connection Between Old and New Pilgrimages
Modern-day pilgrimage takes many forms. Some still walk the traditional paths, others cycle, and some choose the slow, reflective movement of a train journey.
The upcoming Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope event celebrates the act of pilgrimage as a journey of renewal and discovery. Just as a historic railway allows travellers to experience the past, pilgrimage reminds us that the journey itself is just as important as the destination.
Whether you are walking a sacred path or riding a train through historic landscapes, the experience of pilgrimage is alive in many forms.
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“Whether crossing ancient landscapes by foot or taking a historic train journey, the spirit of pilgrimage is alive in many forms. Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope celebrates this sense of journey, inviting travellers to walk in the footsteps of history.”
Travelling Through History One Track at a Time
Whether by train, foot, or bicycle, history does not exist only in books. It is alive in the trails we follow, the roads we take, and the tracks that still carry us forward.
The Train de l’Ardèche is more than just a ride—it is a journey into a past that still whispers in the hills and valleys. It invites us to slow down, reflect, and embrace the timeless beauty of travel.
Much like a pilgrimage, this journey reminds us that the past is not lost but waiting to be rediscovered, one step—or one track—at a time.