Writing Walks
2nd - 10th May, 2027
What is a Writing Walk?
A Writing Walk is a chance to spend a week walking, from cathedral to cathedral in Portugal and Spain, along the pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago. Each morning we will walk together for a few hours, and in the afternoons we sit and write.
The 3mph Writing Walk is for anyone working through a concept or project who would benefit from the space to think, write and discuss with others. You may already be an experienced writer, or this might be your first attempt to put your attempt to put your idea onto the page. For those who would like them, there will be sessions on finding voice, structure, research, editing, and advice on getting published. For others there will be ample time to write, reflect and edit, with the guidance and support of your fellow walkers.
It is also an opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the camino and to meet other pilgrims. As we walk, and work, we will enjoy the atmosphere, cuisine and calm of the towns and villages en route. The journey is non-religious, as are the majority of walkers on the camino. However, the spirit of pilgrimage is a good companion for us, and those who travel on the route generally appreciate the sense of meaning and purpose attached to the journey.
The nextWriting Walk is for creative non-fiction writers. It will take place between 2nd and 10th May, 2027.
Where we walk
This Writing Walk takes place on the Camino de Santiago, beginning in Porto, Portugal and finishing in Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The total distance is 60 miles/100 kilometres over 7 days, which is the requirement to earn the compostela, or certificate of completion from the cathedral in Santiago. There will be a vehicle to support with luggage transfer, and all other accommodation and dietary needs are included.
Each journey is tailored to the needs of the pilgrims that join, and the group that comes together will support and accompany each other both as we walk and as they continue writing afterwards. The walking and the journey is a means to support the process of writing and thinking. We take our time. If the distance feels like too much, either now or on the trail, there are options to rest or skip a stage. There is no option to skip the writing, however…
Whether you are working on a big project like a book; seeking to put together a proposal for one; working on something shorter; or simply trying to assemble ideas into something to work towards, this week of focused time is designed for you.
Details
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We follow the usual schedule of pilgrims on the camino; waking early, walking at sunrise, eating lightly as we go, and finishing by lunchtime or early afternoon.
Each day we will be on the trail for between 3 and 6 hours, covering between 10 and 20km. The terrain is generally simple - dirt roads or cobblestone paths. On a couple of days there is elevation gain of a few hundred metres, but for the most part the landscape is undulating.
We will travel extremely lightly. Each morning, pilgrims need only prepare a small daypack with water and snacks and perhaps another layer of clothing. The rest of the luggage will be transported to the next accommodation. There will also be vehicles on call if anyone needs to finish a section of walking early.
For anyone used to walking in the hills, or on rough ground, this journey will not be too challenging. But we do ask that, before applying, you are realistic about your fitness, and comfortable walking for a handful of hours every day for a week. -
Our accommodations range from boutique hotels in Porto and Santiago, to quintas - comfortable farmhouses - in Portugal, to rooms in a 15th Century monastery in the mountains of northern Spain. All have been hand picked for their comfort and suitability for the journey. Some are truly spectacular, and we hope that the lodging is one of the highlights of the journey.
Rooms are generally shared with one other person, but single supplements are available in almost all locations. -
Writing, and how we write, is always very personal, and that is true too even on this shared journey.
The day is roughly broken into two phases - walking, in the morning, and reflecting in the afternoon. Leon will open each day with a thought, or question, and the group is encouraged to discuss this as they walk. There will be opportunities to talk about your work, with the group and in pairs, but there will also be ample time to walk in silence, or to enjoy the scenery and be present on the journey.
In the afternoon, after lunch and some rest, we sit together in a comfortable space. Each Writing Walk is a moveable feast, depending on those joining, but during this time we might have a workshop on a particular theme, or come together to offer thoughts on one person’s work, or simple use the time to write together.
Each evening, over dinner, we will share our thoughts on the day, and set our intentions for the next day of writing and walking. -
The areas of Portugal and Spain that we travel through are famous for their cuisine, and we will have a chance to try it all.
In general we eat a light breakfast before setting off, and carry small snacks with us during the walk. Along the camino there are regular coffee shops and bakeries, and we can stop occasionally to refuel.
We usually share a local lunch together upon finishing, and before the afternoon of writing, and then sit together again at dinner.
This is also a personal journey - if at any point you would like to take an afternoon or evening alone, you are most welcome to.
We can cater for your dietary requirements, so please provide those details on your application. -
The total cost is XXX
For a single supplement, the cost is XXX
This covers the cost of Leon and an additional writing instructor, and Tamsyn managing the tour; seven nights of accommodation; all breakfast, lunches and dinners; airport pick up and drop off; all transportation and luggage transfer.
Not includes are airfares, coffee or other stops along the way, alcohol, or deviations from the set menu. -
The pilgrimage begins in Porto and ends in Santiago. Both cities have international airports and are well served by a variety of airlines.
Your pilgrimage packet will have more information on when to arrive and our suggestions for departure times. -
Each group is convened to create the best experience for all writers and walkers. To assist us in this, we ask that you complete this application form so that we can understand more about your interest in joining a Writing Walk. There will also be more information on that form about payment policies.
Meet the Team
Writing Walks are led by Leon McCarron and facilitated by Tamsyn O’Donoghue. Each pilgrimage will have additional writers and guests joining according to the theme.
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Leon McCarron is an award-winning writer and hiking trail designer from the north of Ireland, and the founder of 3mph.
He is a Yale World Fellow, a Senior Fellow of the Abraham Path Initiative, and the holder of the Cherry Kearton Medal from the Royal Geographical Society. Leon has traveled over 30,000 miles by human power, and is the author of three books, including ‘Wounded Tigris: A River Journey Through the Cradle of Civilization.’ For both that work and his upcoming book - due in 2026 - Leon walked on the camino, from Porto to Santiago, to write and edit. He credits the pilgrimage as an integral part of the process.
Leon has written for National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Noema, New Scientist and others. He is a winner of the American Society of Travel Writers Gold Award, and his work is included in the ‘Best of British Travel Writing of the Twenty-First Century.’
As a trail developer, Leon designs cultural routes that create economic opportunity and encourage community cohesion, especially in regions that have experienced conflict. He has gathered and led diverse groups on paths all over the world, in the strong belief that walking together reminds us of our shared humanity. He is the co-founder of the Zagros Mountain Trail in northern Iraq.
