The Way to St James Cygnet 2026 Pilgrimage - Tasmania

T﻿he Way to St James Committee is run by a group of passionate individuals who come together each year to organise and run this event.Y﻿ou can contact us with questions any time at  info@waytostjames.com.au

Way to St James Cygnet Organising Committee

A two-day pilgrim walk, taking you on a journey through the beautiful Huon Valley.  Inspired by the famous Spanish El Camino de Santiago.

Mountain River Hall

Annual Way to St James Cygnet Camino - Tasmania

This is where to find the next Way to St James Pilgrimage to be held in Tasmania, alongside the Annual Global Pilgrimage.

Journey through the beautiful Huon Valley, or join us wherever you are.Date: 2 days and overnight: 10-11 January, 2026Location: Starts Mountain River Hall, walking to St James Church in Cygnet over two days.Inspired by and modelled on the famous El Camino de Santiago, this two-day pilgrim walk will take you through the scenic and peaceful Huon Valley, finishing with a celebration at the Spanish-style Church of St James, nestled in the heart of Cygnet, Tasmania.Every person, of any religious denomination or none, is welcome to join us to walk in company with other pilgrims. Through fellowship, reflection, rejoicing and ritual you will find an opportunity to reconnect with the spiritual dimensions of your life.By registering for the Way to St James, you are agreeing to uphold the spirit of the pilgrimage. As we walk as pilgrims in a meditative way, we reflect on our personal journeys, the shared experiences, and the profound lessons that the pilgrimage offers. In registering as a pilgrim, you commit to participate in the spirit of mutual respect, understanding, and contemplation. This commitment involves respecting the experiences and context of your fellow pilgrims and contributing to the positive and reflective atmosphere of the pilgrimage.We are proud to say that the Way to St James Cygnet (Tasmania) is officially integrated into the register of Jacobean associations. <h3>Pilgrimage Details</h3>The pilgrimage commences on Saturday 10th January 2026 at 9.00am from the Mountain River Community Hall and finishes on Sunday 11th January 2026 at approx. 4.30pm St James Church, Cygnet.The route covers rural roads in southern Tasmania and is best described as needing a medium level of fitness. Pilgrims must be a minimum age of 10.Day one is from Mountain River to Ranelagh and is around 18km.Day two will take us from Ranelagh Showgrounds, with a bus trip to Cradoc to avoid narrow sections of the Channel Highway and then along the Cygnet Coast Road next to the Huon River and over Wattle Grove Road (the Big Hill) and into to Cygnet and is about 15.4km.For the Global Camino 2026: For those who can't join us in person, you will be able to walk with us, wherever you are in the world by joining our Global Way to St James Pilgrimage via our Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/1E3fWFsRRq/" title="https://www.facebook.com/share/1E3fWFsRRq/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">2026 Global Camino</a>. We welcome you walking approximately the same distance over the two days. We hope you will choose a somewhat challenging route that you can walk solo, or in a group safely distanced. It would be good if it were through natural surroundings and undertaken in a meditative way. <blockquote>Through fellowship, reflection, rejoicing and ritual you will find an opportunity to reconnect with the spiritual dimensions of your life.</blockquote> <h3>CONDITIONS</h3><ul><li>Pilgrims must be physically fit enough to undertake the walk.</li><li>Minimum age of walker is 10 years. Pilgrims under 18 must be accompanied by a registered Adult Pilgrim.</li><li>No drugs or alcohol can be taken on the pilgrimage. (There will be bar sales available with the entertainment on the Saturday night for those who wish to partake).</li><li>Any health issues, allergies or special dietary requirements are the responsibility of individuals to manage.</li><li>Pilgrims are reminded that the ethos of the pilgrimage promotes quiet reflection and we encourage peaceful and harmonious interactions with fellow pilgrims and local residents.</li></ul> <h3>CANCELLATION POLICY</h3><ul><li>Tickets can be refunded in full (less Eventbrite processing fees) up to 14 days prior to the event.</li><li>Ticket holders can choose to carry their ticket(s) over to the following year by direct request to the organiser up to 10 days prior to the event.</li><li>Ticekts cancelled in the final week prior to the event cannot be refunded or carried forward due to expenses already incurred.</li></ul>

Day 1

Check in opens at Mountain River Hall, Mountain River from 8am for the (approx.) 15km walk through hills and vales, over dirt roads and paddocks to Ranelagh Showgrounds, Tasmania.

Mountain River to Ranelagh

Pilgrim ticket price includes your evening meal on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday morning.  Dinner is served at the Ranelagh Showground from 5pm and a number of activities are provided through the night for those who wish to participate.  An itinerary will be provided on the night.  A pop-up bar will have drinks available to purchase for the over 18's who wish to avail themselves of an alcoholic beverage or two.

Evening meal and entertainment, rest or recreation at our overnight stop.

Lights Out at 10pm for those choosing to stay onsite at the Showgrounds in Ranelagh.  Get a good night's sleep, as we start again in the morning, with breakfast available  from the hall from 7am, and an 8:30am SHARP bus departure for the start of Day 2.

The Great Silence!  Lights out at the Showground.

Day 2

After breakfast, and the Pilgrim Briefing, our buses will depart from our Ranelagh Showground at 8.30am sharp to take us to our starting point...  a paddock in Cradoc!

Ranelagh to Craddock by bus

From our paddock in Cradoc, the walk consists of a flat stroll, lunch, and then the Big Hill.  Eventually gathering together in Cygnet, we collect our Icon and Process it through the throngs of the Cygnet Folk Festival for our Final Ritual at St James' Church.

Cygnet Coast Road, Wattle Grove Road (The Hill) and the Icon of St James

Our final destination is the Church of St James, where we are treated to welcoming performances (for us and the Icon), then participate in the Final Ritual to farewell new and old friends, and wrap up our pilgrimage.

Final Ritual and Farewell

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