Reconnecting Youth With Wonder Through A Hiking Pilgrimage: A Guide For Youth Pastors

A hiking pilgrimage is ideal for reconnecting teens with nature, God, and each other. Given that 88% of youth long to spend more time in nature, this week’s article will examine why a hiking pilgrimage with Wonder Voyage may be exactly what your team is seeking.

What Is A Hiking Pilgrimage?

A hiking pilgrimage is a journey that takes participants out of their routine and into nature to reconnect with God. In Christian history, pilgrims would travel to holy sites as acts of devotion, seeking encounters with the Almighty along the way. A teen hiking pilgrimage can draw from this rich tradition.

A hiking pilgrimage can be a powerful tool for teenagers to reconnect with the wonders of creation and rediscover the beauty of their faith.

Why A Hiking Pilgrimage?

Removing teens from their daily environment and placing them in the beauty of nature gives them a chance to slow down, reflect, and profoundly encounter God.

Nature has always been a powerful setting for spiritual experiences, as it reflects the beauty and majesty of the Creator. For example, Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” On a hiking pilgrimage, teens can see this truth firsthand, rekindling their sense of wonder.

How A Hiking Pilgrimage Encourages Spiritual Growth

A hiking pilgrimage can be a transformative experience for teenagers. Here are several ways it encourages spiritual growth:

1. Time For Reflection And Prayer

A hiking pilgrimage creates rare moments of solitude and reflection. While walking through a quiet forest or along a mountain trail, teens can pray and listen for God’s voice. The natural surroundings help young adults focus on their spiritual journey, free from the distractions of social media, school, and everyday noise.

Wonder Voyage seizes these opportunities with Encounter Moments, journaling, and Lectio Divina. Encouraging young pilgrims to spend time in silent prayer can bring a renewed sense of wonder to their lives.

2. A Journey Of Discovery And Challenge

For teens, hiking on a pilgrimage can be both an adventure and a challenge. They may encounter steep inclines, rugged terrain, or moments of exhaustion, but these challenges mirror the ups and downs of their faith journey.

As teens face physical challenges, they learn essential spiritual lessons about perseverance, reliance on God, and the value of pushing through difficult circumstances. Just as pilgrims throughout history have endured hardships to reach holy destinations, teens on a hiking pilgrimage can discover that the effort is part of the growth process.

At Wonder Voyage, we use these challenges as teaching moments. Helping teens see their physical effort as symbolic of their spiritual journey encourages them to trust God’s strength and guidance.

3. Reconnecting With Wonder

In addition, one of the most profound aspects of a hiking pilgrimage is the sense of awe and wonder that comes from encountering the beauty of God’s creation. Whether it’s watching a sunrise over the mountains, hearing the gentle flow of a river, or gazing at the stars in the night sky, these experiences remind teens of God’s greatness.

This sense of wonder is essential for spiritual growth. It helps teens see beyond themselves and their immediate concerns, reminding them that they are part of something much bigger—God’s plan and creation.

4. Building Community

Finally, hiking together also fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among teens. Walking side by side, they can share conversations, struggles, and joys. The shared experience of completing a pilgrimage, overcoming challenges, and encountering God together strengthens relationships within the group.

We encourage our teams to incorporate group discussion and reflection moments during the pilgrimage. Around a campfire or during breaks on the trail, we invite teens to share their thoughts and experiences. These conversations can lead to deeper connections and support among the group, helping teens feel more grounded in their faith community.

Practical Tips For Planning A Hiking Pilgrimage

Planning a hiking pilgrimage for teens requires careful thought and preparation to ensure a safe and meaningful experience. Here are a few practical tips:

• Choose The Right Location: Select a trail that suits your group’s fitness level and experience. A trail with scenic views and opportunities for quiet reflection is ideal. Consider state parks or nature reserves that offer well-marked paths and varied terrain.
• Prepare spiritually: Before the pilgrimage, encourage teens to pray, asking God to prepare their hearts for the journey. We created a pre-trip spiritual prep curriculum called “The Way of Wonder,” which is available as a free download whether or not you choose to utilize Wonder Voyage for your pilgrimage planning. Download your copy today.
• Focus On Safety: Plan for safety by bringing enough water, first aid supplies, and extra gear for unexpected weather changes.
• Create Moments Of Reflection: Incorporate silence, prayer, and reflection times. You might stop at a scenic overlook or a quiet spot in the forest to read Scripture, pray, or encourage teens to spend a few moments in silent meditation.

How Wonder Voyage Can Help You Plan A Hiking Pilgrimage

Wonder Voyage can take the guesswork out of trip planning by creating a hiking pilgrimage that meets your team’s unique needs and budget. If you are looking for a domestic hike, look no further than A Guide’s Guide to the Best U.S. Hikes. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, check out these international locations.

• Norway is a country of jaw-dropping natural wonders erupting in the seaside fjords. It also has one of the finest short-summer seasons on the planet.
• We can tailor Camino de Santiago pilgrimages to best suit your team’s personality in pace, housing, adventure, and spiritual direction.
• The natural landscape of Nova Scotia includes eagle and whale spotting, dense forests gouged by rivers of black water, and heart-stopping views of the ocean.
• Wonder Voyage has been traveling to Ireland since 1996, and we move through this stunning landscape as privileged insiders.

Contact the office today to discover the unique hiking pilgrimage opportunities Wonder Voyage can personalize to help your team reconnect with wonder.