From Turkey to Ethiopia: 7 churches and monasteries for adventurous pilgrims

Churches and monasteries around the world vary in their architecture and size, as well as in how easy they are to reach. Some stand in the heart of cities, while others are reached along daunting mountain roads or rocky trails. For pilgrims who enjoy hiking and exploring, these sites combine Christian history with outdoor adventure. The walk or climb to reach them can be as memorable as the visit itself.

Here are seven destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe where the road itself becomes part of the pilgrimage.

Sumela Monastery, Turkey Sumela Monastery rises from a sheer cliff above the forested Altindere Valley near Trabzon, roughly 300 meters (984 feet) above the valley floor. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the former Greek Orthodox monastery was an important pilgrimage destination for the region’s Greek Christian communities.

The buildings include a rock church, chapels, monks’ quarters, and a sacred spring. Frescoes depict biblical scenes and episodes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

The setting reveals how the community adapted its buildings to the mountain, with rooms and balconies extending along the cliff face.

St. Catherine’s…