Camino de Santiago, Spain

Why walk the Camino?

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is a renowned pilgrimage journey to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in the northwest of Spain. Today, more than a pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago is a unique experience and trip of a lifetime.

Two years prior to walking the Camino my husband and I saw a movie called The Way. This movie showed the experiences of one man walking the Camino De Santiago. After a few months after seeing the movie, my husband and I both owned up that what we saw was something each of us would like to do. The main reason was the challenge of walking for 6 weeks , 800 kms. It sounded daunting but felt it was a challenge we wanted to accept. So, we started planning and our training. And two years later we started the walk.

My hot tips

This route is 800km long and took us 6 weeks to walk across northern Spain. You don’t need to do the entire walk, most people will just do the final 100km from Sarria. No matter how much you do and whether you’re there for the highlights of northern Spain or some higher goal, there’s nothing else quite like it.

A few helpful tips … Take a backpack that’s lightweight and has a hydration pocket. We just walked in running footwear, some prefer hiking boots. You are walking a lot on the pavements so having extra cushioning is a good idea – and remember to ensure you break in your shoes before you start the walk! Choose wool-blend socks rather than cotton, they will help your feet stay warm even when your socks are wet. 

Be prepared! The Camino includes paved, cobblestone, packed dirt, and rocky ground. The route features a mix of level ground, uphills, and downhills including really steep segments. Practice walking on all types of surfaces and gradients and long walks every day.

My Camino highlights

There were so many … the cities of Pamplona and  Burgos, visiting the huge Cathedrals, walking the quaint streets, eating the local food and local fine wines.

Loved Santiago de Compostela, it’s a spectacular city. It is the resting place of St. James and we loved strolling the streets and alleys, and mixing with the locals.  Take a rooftop tour at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral for incredible views.

Wine Fountain at the Bodegas Irache winery – the complimentary free glass of red wine they offer for walkers was a lovely treat!

Melt in your mouth grilled octopus in the town of O Carballiño, located just 80 km from Santiago de Compostela - the end of the Camino.  Every August the town hosts the Octopus Festival where thousands come together to the village to enjoy the markets, festival and of course sample octopus!  
 
We loved this experience for many reasons. We met so many wonderful people from all walks of life along the way. We stumbled upon festivals as we walked, where the streets were filled with parades and lined with markets.

Best time to go

May-June and Sep are the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago, as the weather is lovely, downpours less likely, and you'll have plenty of company along the way.