Walk in the footsteps of John Muir, considered one of the most beautiful walks in the world. Join Michael M. Conti, filmmaker behind The Unruly Mystic: John Muir and Mike Wurtz, Head of the University of the Pacific Holt-Atherton Special Collections and Archives. Mike curates and shares the largest collection of John Muir works in the world.
Join us in the late spring of 2026 across the Central Belt of Scotland
Follow in the footsteps of famed naturalist, botanist, glaciologist, and “Father of the National Parks,” John Muir, as you trace his journey across Scotland at the age of 10 in 1849. Explore segments of the John Muir Way, delve into the history of Scotland and Muir’s early life, practice landscape observation and recording techniques inspired by his work, and gain insight into the formative experiences that shaped Muir’s lifelong passion for nature.
Connect with Scotland and John Muir to develop your own sense of place.
Scotland in May is a feast for the senses. The spring warmth is felt, bringing the rugged landscapes to life with vibrant heather blooming across the moors and hills. The towns are alive with festival energy, yet peaceful escapes are found in quiet glens, ancient castles standing sentinel on misty hilltops, and charming villages nestled along lochs and winding rivers.
“When I was a boy in Scotland I was fond of everything that was wild, and all my life I’ve been growing fonder and fonder of wild places and wild creatures”
– John Muir
Reverse Muir’s life: from land preservation legacy to birthplace, where exploration began.
Engage with the history-filled landscape of Scotland’s Central Belt
On this special walking adventure follow the arc of Muir’s visits to his boyhood home, connect with the environment that inspired a movement to have nature for nature’s sake and preserve it. As one strolls along the path of John Muir’s childhood past, you will establish a profound connection with the natural environment that ignited a significant movement advocating for the preservation and intrinsic value of nature itself.
Walk in the footsteps of John Muir and discover your own path
Spanning key locations significant to Muir’s life, this transformative journey connects saunterers to his deep legacy and fosters personal growth and contemplation.
10 days in May 2026 (TBD)
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John Muir
John Muir (1838-1914) changed the way humans saw and interacted with the natural environment, inspiring generations to appreciate and preserve the wild spaces of our planet. Born in Dunbar, Scotland, he spent his formative years exploring the rugged landscapes and lush forests that surrounded him, fostering a deep connection with nature. At the age of 10, his family moved to America, where he encountered a new and nearly untouched environment filled with vast forests, towering mountains, and dazzling rivers, which contrasted sharply with the confines of his upbringing under the strict rule of his religious zealot father. This early conflict influenced his later views on spirituality and nature.
Once he came of age, Muir left the farm to seek knowledge, briefly attending university before embarking on what he term “the University of the Wilderness,” an informal education steeped in the lessons of nature. After his famed “Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf,” which was both a physical and spiritual journey, he made his way to California’s grand Yosemite National Park, nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, a place that would become synonymous with his name. Muir not only explored this breathtaking region, but he also worked tirelessly to promote its preservation. His passion for the great outdoors led him to travel to Alaska and abroad on many occasions, where, like in the Sierra, he reveled in “God’s beauty,” diligently studying the trees and glacial landscape while advocating fervently for environmental conservation.
Muir’s efforts were instrumental in establishing national parks and raising awareness about the importance of protecting the natural world for future generations, echoing his belief that the wilderness can heal and inspire the human spirit.
The John Muir Way
The John Muir Way is named one of the 13 most magical long walks in the world by Outdoor Magazine Outside Online.
The John Muir Way was established in 2014 to “provide an accessible and varied route, linking together the finest landscapes, countryside and places of interest” and encourage users “to become more active,” and improve “their health, wellbeing and enjoyment of nature, while raising their awareness of John Muir’s legacy.” Join us to walk in the footsteps of John Muir.
We are pleased to announce the return of our transformative journey, Walking in the Footsteps of Saint Hildegard, taking place from September 8 to 18, 2025. This 10-day experience offers an immersive exploration of Saint Hildegard of Bingen’s life, work, and spiritual legacy. Travel through the beautiful landscapes of the Rhineland. Connect deeply with visionary insights of this remarkable 12th-century saint, while enjoying a thoughtfully curated itinerary designed to inspire and enlighten.
I would like to have more information about the Saint Hildegard program. What is the total mileage walked and the average walked each day?
What kind of pack (weight) should one expect to carry? Thank you.
The entire Hildegard way is about 130 miles, and depending upon your needs, you would carry what you need daily. We are offering a 10 day trip that covers the highlights and is hotel based so no pack needed except for daily hikes. Please sign-up for the newsletter or visit https://sainthildegardway.eu