Are you ready to become a pilgrim pioneer on a transformative path? The Wisconsin Way is an emerging pilgrimage route, with infrastructure still taking shape. By joining now as a pilgrim or volunteering to host pilgrims in your home or church, you’ll be a true trailblazer, helping to develop and define this remarkable spiritual journey! Your participation is crucial in establishing this sacred path through Wisconsin’s beautiful countryside, following in the footsteps of faith and tradition.
Embark on a Spiritual Journey with The Wisconsin Way!
Your Pilgrimage Adventure Awaits
- Discover a unique spiritual journey established in 2013, inspired by the historic Way of St. James or Camino de Santiago.
- Begin your pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the first approved Marian apparition site in North America
- Experience breathtaking landscapes while connecting with parishes, chapels and spiritual landmarks
Preparation is Key
- Grab the official Wisconsin Way guidebook to help plan your pilgrimage
- Connect with fellow pilgrims through the Camino Pilgrims on the Wisconsin Way Facebook Group
- Download a Pilgrim credential (passport)
- Purchase a Wisconsin Way patch at Etsy
Recommended: Travel with a companion and arrange a support vehicle
Discover Your Spiritual Journey: The Wisconsin Way
Imagine walking in the footsteps of faith, tracing a sacred path through America’s heartland. Since 2013, The Wisconsin Way has invited pilgrims to experience a transformative journey inspired by the legendary El Camino de Santiago, bringing the profound spiritual adventure of pilgrimage to your doorstep.
A Sacred Invitation Begins in Champion
Your pilgrimage starts at the miraculous Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the first Marian apparition site approved in North America. Here, you’ll connect with a powerful spiritual legacy that echoes Sister Adele Brise’s divine mission: “Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.”
A Journey Through God’s Masterpiece
Wander through Wisconsin’s breathtaking countryside, where each step reveals:
- Intimate parish sanctuaries
- Serene chapels whispering ancient prayers
- Monasteries radiating spiritual tranquility
- Shrines that connect you to something greater
Every mile is an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and profound personal transformation.
Culminate at Holy Hill: A Spiritual Crescendo
Your pilgrimage reaches its magnificent peak at Holy Hill Basilica. Rising majestically above the Kettle Moraine’s rolling landscape, this architectural marvel offers:
- Panoramic views that inspire the soul
- Stations of the Cross amid natural beauty
- Moments of silent Adoration
- Communal Mass celebrating your spiritual journey
For some, the spiritual journey doesn’t end at Holy Hill—it extends westward to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse. This optional extension invites pilgrims to deepen their reflection and devotion, continuing across Wisconsin’s heartland to another sacred sanctuary.
Continue Beyond: Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse
Pilgrims have walked or biked this route, often following scenic Rails-to-Trails corridors that traverse river valleys, rolling farmland and forested ridges. Whether on foot or two wheels, the path to La Crosse offers a peaceful, prayerful continuation of The Wisconsin Way—a chance to linger in grace, listen more deeply, and surrender fully to the journey.
Let the road carry you onward, toward the stunning blufftop shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, where the pilgrimage spirit is alive and thriving.
The Wisconsin Way isn’t just a path—it’s a calling. Will you answer?