Find Your Own Path on Spain’s Famous Long Hike

No camping required on the hostel-lined El Camino trek beginning in Basque Country, France, or Portugal.

Many the great unwashed have dreamy aspirations ofbackpacking around Europe , but there ’s a whole other way to use that pack and really hike rather than train - hop . If you ’re expect for more direction than aimlessly wandering and more possible for stick to than just exchanging pleasantry with whoever is in your tour mathematical group , wait no further than the epicCamino de Santiago .

The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage encompassing legion itinerary that meet at Santiago de Compostela , a city near the western seacoast of Spain . It ’s known to attract hundreds of thousands of hikers , or pilgrims as they ’re called , per twelvemonth and it only seems to arise in popularity ( pandemic withstanding ) .

The core idea is this : Choose your starting destination , whether in Spain or elsewhere in Europe , follow the trusty yellowish arrows and scallop cuticle markers along the way , and finally you ’ll reach the impressive duomo in Santiago de Compostela . During your journeying , you may stay in affordable hostels specifically tailored to pilgrims , called albergues , and there ’s always some cafe or eating place nearby for meal . With no Google mapping need and guidebooks being optional , the Camino offers a especially freeing way of life of traveling , made even more rewarding bythe realization of how far your own two groundwork can take you .

Camino de Santiago

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see landscapes change along the Camino from veneration - pep up raft to shady woodland to on the face of it endless flat plain stitch is definitely a highlight , but one of the best parts is undoubtedly the biotic community . Assuming you ’re take one of the master route , you ’ll never genuinely be alone as a stream of international tramper surrounds you , creating a unique ambience of camaraderie and support .

From young adults direct a gap yr to retirees tackling their bucket list , there are all sort on the trail with their own particular stories about why they ’re there . Some are looking to unplug , some are working through change or heartache , and some just want the strong-arm challenge . Whateveryourreason may be , you might be surprised at what you learn about yourself and what you need out of sprightliness once your Camino is complete .

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How the journey started

The Camino de Santiago date back centuries , and the path was created because of the Christian religion , though it ’s now considered a beautiful way to hike no matter your beliefs . It all start because of a Christian story about James the Great , one of Jesus ’ twelve apostle , who was martyrize in 44 A.D. and his corpse were finally move to Galicia and then buried there . When the burial site was discovered in the 9th hundred , King Alfonso II order the construction of a church building there , which eventually became the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela we see today . Pilgrim started walk to see the cathedral , which is why today hiker are call pilgrims and why you ’ll also hear the Camino bear on to as the Way of St. James . you’re able to easily regain other variation of this tale , but now it ’s a path for all who enjoy the lulu of nature .

Choose your own path

Back in the day , pilgrims would literally provide right from their nursing home to start their journey to Santiago de Compostela . These days , you may still encounter people who started from their front threshold , but it ’s more common to quetch things off along one of the main , established path .

The most famous and by far the most journey of these isthe Camino Francés , or Gallic Way . The 474 - mile ( 764 - klick ) journey starts at Saint - Jean - Pied - de - Port , France and crosses the Pyrenees through northern Spain . If you ’ve ever seen the movieThe Waywith Martin Sheen , you ’ll recognize it ’s prepare along this route .

Another popular choice is theCamino Portugués , which you could start in Lisbonif you want to walk the central route spanning 385 miles , or you canstart in Porto to do the coastal routestretching 165 mile . Both are attractive for those looking for less of a crowd and a shorter overall distance compared to the Camino Francés .

Santiago

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Then there ’s theCamino del Norte , which starts in Irún and takes you along Spain ’s northern coast . This one is known for being more physically demanding , but you ’re reward with a peculiarly beautiful scene of mountains andsandy beach .

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What to pack for the Camino de Santiago

The general good word is that your fully pack backpack ( include water ) should n’t be more than 10 % of your body free weight . plain , this is n’t a hard - and - dissipated principle and ultimately , you could do whatever you want — there ’s no backpack police force — but it ’s a practiced benchmark to keep in mind so you do n’t find yourself librate down and scramble on the trail ( it ’s all too sluttish to overpack and tolerate from it later ) . think of , since you ’ll be staying in hostels , you do n’t need to pack any food other than an occasional collation nor camping equipment ( so no collapsible shelter , sleeping launch area , or even headlamp ) , so you’re able to get by with slight . In fact , encampment is n’t allowed on the Camino . Plus , you ’ll be passing through township with workshop and pharmacies in cause you call for anything .

Some items that should emphatically make the cut ? Two to three set of dress desirable to the time of year you ’re hiking ( ironical - burst is always a sassy stakes ) , two to three pairs of hiking socks ( Merino wool is swell ) , some lightweight skid or sandal you may decompress in when not hike , a microfiber towel , a water bottle or Camelbak , a very light sleeping bag or even just a liner , and sunglasses . On top of those basics , it all depends on what ’s most significant to you to have on bridge player . trek Pole , a rainwater poncho , a hat , earplugs , and blister first - aid can be found with many a Pilgrim Father .

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Make the Camino your own

Something you should never forget is that your camino is just that — yours ! Only palpate like walking a distich of mile ? While doing 12 to 15 miles a day is the average , there ’s absolutely no need to overexert yourself , and sleep day are fair plot . Do n’t want to carry your packsack on a certain daylight , or really any day ? Send it in advance to your next destination with a transfer service . Ca n’t handle those snoring bunkmate ? finger free to hold a individual room in an albergue . There ’s no right or faulty way to do the Camino de Santiago , and if someone attempt to evidence you otherwise , wish them a “ Buen Camino ” and repose out .

The only existent “ rule ” is that if you want to receive a Compostela , the certificate confirming that you complete the Camino once you reach Santiago de Compostela , you need to prove you ’ve walked at least the last 100 kilometers ( or cycled at least the last 200 kilometre ) . No , you do n’t need to show them your headphone ’s Health app with the crazy issue of gradation you ’ve withdraw . Having two legal tender per day in your pilgrim passport , or credencial del peregrino , for that stretch will do the caper . you could get this pass from a Camino organization back home , or at a pilgrim ’s office or cathedral in your start town . Get a stamp wherever you abide each night plus another at a cafe or church service along the way and there ’s your two . Even if you ’re not aiming to get a security , you ’ll in all likelihood want these impression anyway for the memories .

Camino