Riding the Camino on a Handbike – Marie Noelle Japy’s Inspiring Journey
French para-athlete Marie Noelle Japy takes us a little closer to “walking” the Camino de Santiago in a different way. From France to Santiago on a handbike.
After living 24 years in Lebanon, Marie longed to reconnect with France in a meaningful way. Inspired by the Camino’s history and spirit, she decided to make the journey using a handbike. What began as a personal challenge became a powerful testament to resilience, accessibility, and the belief that the Camino belongs to everyone.
A Camino Like No Other
For most pilgrims, the Camino de Santiago means lacing up hiking boots. For Marie Noelle Japy, it meant strapping into a handbike. Paralysed from the hips down, she refused to let physical limitations stop her from living the pilgrim dream. Her journey was a bold statement: the Camino is for everyone.
Challenges on the Road
Marie’s first attempt ended sooner than expected when her travel companion had to leave. But the call of the Way was too strong to ignore. She returned – this time on her own – and faced steep inclines, unpredictable terrain, and limited accessibility. Each day brought both physical strain and small victories, all fueled by the kindness of strangers and the camaraderie of fellow pilgrims.
The Spirit of the Camino
Through her ride, Marie discovered the Camino’s real magic: shared moments with strangers, the beauty of slow travel, and the deep inner journey that runs alongside the physical one. Now, she dreams of writing a book to encourage other people with disabilities to follow their own Camino path.
Marie is a Franco-Lebanese pilgrim whose determination and courage turned the Camino into a life-affirming adventure on a handbike.