Updated on July 23, 2013.

Caminho da Fé, or the Walk of Faith, is a walking and cycling pilgrimage route leading to Nossa Senhora Aparecida Basilica in Aparecida, SP, one of the world's greatest Marian centers.

The Walk of Faith is inspired in the Camino de Santiago in Spain. The route covers about 497 kilometers, or 308 miles, across part of São Paulo and Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil (see map).

It includes more than 30 cities and several certified pousadas, or inns, where pilgrims can rest.

Like Camino de Santiago, Caminho da Fé offers a credencial, or pilgrim's passport, which can be stamped along the way and exchanged for a certificado at the basilica.

Walk of Faith History

The Walk of Faith was started in 2003 by Almiro Grings, who had walked the Camino de Santiago twice, his friends Clóvis Tavares de Lima and Iracema Tamashiro, and a group of volunteers. They founded the Caminho da Fé Association in Águas da Prata (pop. 7,367), a city about 151 miles north of São Paulo.

About 8 million people visit the Nossa Senhora Aparecida basilica every year. Many routes have been used by pilgrims since the image of the Virgin Mary was found in a river by three poor fishermen in 1717 and attributed with a miraculous catch.

Route Profile

The Walk of Faith has organized three main branches - West, North and Northwest into one route, with yellow signals and arrows pointing the way. Pilgrims can take the longest routes from one of the three starting cities or start anywhere along the way.

The route crosses fields, woods, and mountains, affording travelers a chance for introspection, contact with nature, and healthy exertion.

It takes 17 to 20 days to complete the longest route on foot, if the pilgrim walks between 20 and 30 kilometers a day (about 12-19 miles).

The Mantiqueira Range stretches pose the greatest challenges, with the highest point at 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) in Campos do Jordão.

Cyclists can cover the longest route in about 8 to 10 days.

See the altimetry.

Where to Pick Up the Credential

The pilgrim's passport can be picked up in several cities. See the list of cities on the Caminho da Fé website.

About the Pousadas

The pousadas (inns or B&Bs) which participate in the Walk of Faith have commited to cleanliness and quiet. They're averagely priced and most include a nice breakfast in the rates - a few offer other meals for an additional price. See the list of pousadas (a pdf file) on the official website.

Tips

The Way of Faith website is not available in English as of this writing and the people involved in the organization may not be fluent English speakers, but a growing number of international travelers are discovering the route. They usually take on the challenge with a group of friends.

Cyclists may want to contact a Brazilian group such as Clube de Cicloturismo do Brasil about Caminho da Fé.

Brazilian cyclist Antonio Olinto has written Guia Caminho da Fé – Para ciclistas e caminhantes, a guide to the Way of Faith for cyclists and hikers (in Portuguese only). E-mail him (antonioolinto@gmail.com) for information about purchasing the book.

When to Go

The Way of Faith is open all year. The rainiest seasons in the Brazil Southeast are spring and summer (September-March). However, traversing muddy roads and fields could add a welcome edge of adventure to the pilgrimage.

Our Lady of Aparecida is commemorated on October 12, a national holiday in Brazil. Over 228,000 people visit the basilica during the holiday. Plan in advance for Way of Faith accommodations.