International Pilgrimage 2026

Sweden ~ July 29 – August 6

We start in Falköping, one of Sweden’s oldest towns. People have lived here for over 9,000 years. It was here, at Kata Farm in Varnhem, that archaeologists found the grave of a Christian Viking woman buried in the 10th century. Her stone coffin, with its carved Christian symbols, is one of the oldest Christian graves in Sweden – a quiet witness that faith had come here long before Sweden became a nation.

Nearby stands what later became one of the country’s great medieval monasteries – Varnhem Abbey, founded by Cistercian monks.

As we walk, we move through a landscape shaped by creation itself: forests and meadows, lakes and ridges, open farmland and silent glades.
Västergötland has long been a farmer’s land, blessed with the fertile plains of the Västgöta Valley. Today, most farms are modern, yet the land still speaks of generations of care.

This region is also a place where nature sings praise.  Every spring, thousands of cranes gather at Lake Hornborga, one of Sweden’s richest bird lakes. They come in March and April, following an ancient rhythm, to dance and trumpet by the water’s edge – a reminder of life’s steady pulse: departure, rest, and return. 

Welcome to Sweden!

The Pilgrimage Route

This year our pilgrimage will begin and end in different places. 

We start at Odenhallen Sports hall in Falköping on July 29^that 13:00  (with the possibility of arriving on July 28 from 17.00 and leaving on August 7 by 10.00)

and, on August 6^{th ,} finish at Skara Cathedral, Sweden’s oldest cathedral, consecrated around 1150.

Our final night (August 6 ^th to 7^th) will be spent in Vilanhallen sports hall, close to Skara cathedral.

Accommodation

We will spend each night in schools, churches, sports halls, and other simple places. All pilgrims – except those in the Centre Group – will sleep on the floor. (Bring your own sleeping mat and sleeping bag.)
Showers and kitchens will, usually, be simple. Cooking and household tasks are shared by the group.

Theme

This year’s theme is “All equal – all different.” 

It expresses our faith that each person is unique and infinitely precious in God’s eyes. Along the way we will share our thinking in small groups, laugh, sing, and pray – often outdoors, close to nature.

Groups

There will be five types of walking groups. Choose the one most appropriate for you:-

Walking Group
For those who wish to walk 10–18 km per day (about 3 km/h) and carry their own pack with all or most of their luggage. The groups will have a support car.  If they cannot carry everything then sleeping bags etc can be carried in the support car – this must be stated on the application form.

They usually move to a different venue each night

Group without car
For those who want a bit more challenge: 12–18 km per day (about 4 km/h). Each pilgrim carries all their personal belongings. (There will be no support vehicle) 

Star Group
For those who prefer to walk with a daypack while their main luggage is transported by the support car. The group will stay for two or three nights in one venue with daily walks up to 15 km. 

Suitable for families with children or those with limited physical strength.

Family Group
If at least four families with younger children register, a special group will be formed with shorter daily walks, and time for family activities. If there are not enough families to make a separate group then they will be placed in a Star Group.

Centre Group
For older pilgrims or those with disabilities. This group stays in one venue for the whole week. They share a similar daily pilgrim programme to the other pilgrims, sharing tasks, and taking daily walks, appropriate to their needs or ability.  Beds are provided but each pilgrim must bring their own bed linen (sheet, pillowcase, duvet cover).

Group Responsibles

Each group has volunteer leaders with specific responsibilities: 

Guardian (group leader),   Mère (kitchen coordinator), Troubadour (music & games) 

Spiritual Animator (coordinating the spirituality of the group)     Chapter leader (co-ordinating discussions) 

If you have walked with us before and would like to serve as one of the group responsibles this year, please note this in your registration.

Support Vehicles

All groups except the Group without car have a support car for food, equipment and if necessary, 

some luggage of the participants. If you bring a car, we are grateful if you can offer to drive or let others use it. Please check that your insurance gives others permission to drive.

Luggage

Simplicity is an important part of the pilgrim’s life.

The Adventure Group carries everything.

The Walking Groups can leave one soft bag with sleeping gear in the support car.  Avoid hard suitcases – soft bags or backpacks are easier to handle.

Extra luggage, not needed on pilgrimage, can be left at Odenhallen and will be brought to Vilanhallen.

Cost

Participants	Total cost	Deposit	Balance
Adults	1900 SEK (~£155)	£35	1500 SEK (~£120)
Youth/students	1400 SEK	£35	1000 SEK
Children 4–12 years	950 SEK	£17.50	750 SEK
Children under 4	Free	–	–
Centre Group	2200 SEK (~ £180)	£35	1800 SEK
Extra night in Centre Group (bed)	100 SEK/person c.£8
Extra night on floor (Odenhallen)	50 SEK/person c.£4

Travel Information

Mode of travel	Arrival to Falköping (start)	Departure from Skara (end)	Notes
Train	International trains to Malmö or Gothenburg. From there, take a national train (SJ) to Falköping.	Take a local bus from Skara to Skövde or Falköping for onward trains.	National connections via SJ and Västtågen are good. See timetables at sj.se.
Bus	International buses to Gothenburg. From there, local bus to Falköping.	From Skara, take local bus to Gothenburg for onward connections.	Local company: Västtrafik Travel Planner.
Ferry	Stena Line ferry from Kiel to Gothenburg (overnight cabins). Then travel by car, train, or bus.	Same route back via Gothenburg.	Book early for lower prices. Färja till Göteborg och Kiel | Stena Line
Car	Park at Odenhallen in Falköping (start). Take bus from Skara (Vilanhallen) back to Falköping after the walk.	Parking available at the start point. Car-sharing encouraged.	Odenhallen – Google MapsVilanhallen, Vilans fritidsområde – Google Maps
Air	Fly to Gothenburg (Landvetter) or Copenhagen. From there, train or bus to Falköping.	From Skara, take bus to Falköping, then train to Borås or Gothenburg. Airport buses run to Landvetter.	Landvetter is closest; Copenhagen offers more international options.

Registration
Please send your completed forms, preferably on-line, to the National Guardian by 1 April 2026:-

  ianmason@talktalk.net  or by post to:-  Ian Mason  92 Bodmin Ave.  Stafford  ST17 0EQ. If you apply after this date there may be room but we may not be able to give you your first choice of group.

With your application please send the deposit (£35) to :-

HSBC bank.  Sort Code 40 – 08-32  Acc. 01606751. 

  and please inform Caroline Hannah  (01233 635167; caroline.hannah@talktalk.net)

or  make cheques payable to: – ‘The Pilgrims of St Francis’ and send them to: Caroline Hannah.  

The balance is to be paid in cash in Swedish currency (SEK) at the beginning of the pilgrimage.

Please complete a separate form for each participant including children. 

Insurance

Each participant is responsible for their own travel and accident insurance.
Organisers cannot be held liable for accidents, illness, or injuries.

All leaders and helpers are volunteers and are not covered by special insurance.

Personal Data and Photos

We collect personal data only to organise the pilgrimage and never share it with third parties. Photos and videos may be taken along the way, but we never publish identifiable pictures without your consent. 

You can indicate on your registration form whether or not you agree to appear in photos used on the website, social media, or printed materials.

Other Information

Sweden is now almost a cash-free society. Cash is rarely accepted outside supermarkets.

Please bring the cash needed for the pilgrimage fee, which will be paid on arrival. 

For most personal expenses, you will need to use a credit or debit card.