Why a Pilgrimage is Perfect for a Charity Challenge

Have you heard of the Dual Pilgrim programme? Not many have, but for a charity it makes one of the most powerful fundraising journeys your supporters can take on.

Back in 2015, officials in Japan and Spain agreed to twin the only two UNESCO listed pilgrimage routes on earth: the Kumano Kodo in Japan and the Camino de Santiago in Spain. The programme honours the small number of people who have walked both. At Huma Charity Challenge we help charities turn these famous trails into unforgettable fundraising experiences for their supporters.

Choose Your Pilgrim Route

Kumano Kodo, Japan

Japan’s sacred mountain pilgrimage and half of the Dual Pilgrim. Ancient stone paths weave through cedar forests to the three Grand Shrines of Kumano, finishing beside Japan’s tallest waterfall.

Walking the Camino de Santiago through Navarrete | Shutterstock

Camino de Santiago, Spain

The most famous Camino of all. Your supporters follow centuries of pilgrims through northern Spain to the shrine of Saint James. A great first challenge for a wide range of fitness levels.

Colourful buildings in the Ribeira district of Porto. | Tim Charody

Camino Portuguese, Portugal

A gentler way to reach Santiago, tracing Portugal’s coastal villages and quiet countryside. Ideal for fundraisers who want the spirit of the Camino at a more relaxed pace.

Exploring Viterbo on the final stage of the Via Francigena

Via Francigena, Italy

Once a 2,000km pilgrim road from Canterbury to Rome. Our challenge follows its Tuscan stretch, through the vineyards of Val d’Elsa and the medieval streets of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni towards Siena.

Enjoy panoramic views of the Sassi di Matera

Puglia, Italy

The sunny, slower side of Italy in the heel of the boot. Whitewashed villages, olive groves running to the sea, UNESCO towns and wonderful food. A rich and authentic trip to fundraise on.

Explore beautiful Koprulu Canyon on the St Paul Trail

St. Paul Trail, Türkiye

Walking in the footsteps of St Paul through dramatic Turkish landscapes, rich in nature and early Christian history. A quieter option that stands apart from the usual choices.

How Your Supporters Become Dual Pilgrims

To earn Dual Pilgrim status, your supporters walk a meaningful section of both trails, and they can do either one first.

On the Camino de Santiago, they need to earn the Compostela, the pilgrim’s certificate. That means walking at least the final 100km from Sarria to Santiago, or cycling at least the final 200km.

On the Kumano Kodo, they complete one of four options. Three sit on the Nakahechi Route: Takijiri to Kumano Hongu Taisha on foot (around 38km), Kumano Nachi Taisha to or from Kumano Hongu Taisha on foot (around 30km), or the shorter Hosshinmon to Kumano Hongu Taisha walk (around 7km) paired with visits to the Hayatama and Nachi shrines. The fourth is the Kohechi Route from Koyasan to Hongu (around 70km).

The Pilgrim Credential

Before they set off, each walker picks up a Dual Pilgrim Credential, a kind of passport for pilgrims. It is free, and on our trips your supporters are given theirs on day one. It has two sides, one for the Kumano Kodo and one for the Camino. Along each trail they collect stamps as a record of their journey, a little like the entry stamps in a passport.

The Certificate and Badge

At the end of the Camino in Santiago, your supporters share their stamped credential with the tourism office and receive their Compostela. The final Kumano Kodo stamp and certificate are issued at the Kumano Hongu Heritage Centre. With both in hand, they can register for Dual Pilgrim status, in either Santiago de Compostela or Tanabe City, and collect a badge to mark the achievement.

Why a Pilgrimage Works for Your Charity

A pilgrimage gives people a real reason to sign up and fundraise. There is the pull of walking a historic trail, and a target to hit for a cause they care about. That mix gets supporters committing, telling their story, and bringing friends and family along with them. Each walker ends up raising money and spreading the word about your work.

You can run a challenge as your own branded team, just for your supporters, or place fundraisers on an open challenge alongside people raising money for other causes. Both work well, and there is no large minimum number to worry about, so it suits charities of any size.

What Your Fundraisers Get

We sort the logistics so your team can focus on the walk and the fundraising. A Huma challenge is fully supported and usually includes expert local guides, good quality accommodation, most meals, luggage transfers between stops, and support on the trail throughout. Your supporters just turn up, walk, and take it all in.

We look after you behind the scenes too, with promotional materials, fundraising advice, and a dedicated team helping you fill places and care for your walkers from start to finish.

How Your Charity Gets Started

It is straightforward. Pick a route that suits your supporters and your goals, and we will help you set the dates, fundraising targets, and the booking setup that works for you. From there we help you promote it, recruit and brief your fundraisers, and run a smooth trip on the ground.