7 Camino de Santiago routes to walk in 2026
The Camino de Santiago has many different routes. Each one offers a unique cultural and spiritual experience. The Camino de Santiago is not a single route like some people think referring to the most popular one - the Camino Frances. It's a network of pilgrimage routes that start in different places across Europe and finish in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. In fact, you can start walking to Santiago from anywhere in Europe like people used to do before we had cars, trains, and plains.
As of March 2026, we've completed 11 Camino de Santiago routes: Camino Frances, the 3 routes of the Camino Portuguese (Coastal, Central, and Litoral routes), Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo, Camino Ingles, Camino Finisterre-Muxia, and Via de la Plata. And two lesser-known Camino routes: Camino de San Salvador, and Camino de Gran Canaria. We're planning to walk more Camino routes in 2026.
We have created the Camino de Santiago resource page where all our Camino posts are divided into relevant groups. It makes it easier to navigate and find the information you're looking for.
Camino de Santiago routes map
What is the most popular Camino route?
In 2025 in total 530 791 pilgrims arrived in Santiago de Compostela after completing one of the Camino routes. 98% of pilgrims walked one of the 6 main routes (excluding the Camino Finisterre).
The Camino Frances is by far the most popular Camino de Santiago route. Most people who complete it walk only the last 100 km from Sarria to Santiago. 162 952 (30.5%) of pilgrims walked the route from Sarria in 2025.
The Portuguese Camino from Tui is the second most popular route. 41 644 (7.8%) of pilgrims completed the Camino from Tui in 2025.
Below you can see the number of pilgrims on different Camino routes according to the information from the Pilgrim’s Receptions Office in Santiago de Compostela.
| Camino route | In 2025 |
| Camino Francés | 45.6% - 242 037 pilgrims |
| Camino Portuguese (Central + Coastal + Litoral Way) | 35.8% - 190 335 pilgrims Central route: 19% - 100 831 Coastal + Litoral route: 16.8% - 89 504 |
| Camino Ingles | 5.6% - 30 202 pilgrims |
| Camino Primitivo | 5.2% - 27 868 pilgrims |
| Camino del Norte | 4% - 21 481 pilgrims |
| Via de la Plata | 1.6% - 8 833 pilgrims |
The Pilgrim's Reception Office in Santiago doesn't have exact numbers for the Camino Finisterre-Muxía. People usually walk this route after finishing one of the other (longer) Camino routes.
What is the best Camino route for beginners?
We often get this question. I'd say one of the most popular Camino routes e.g. Camino Frances or Camino Portuguese from Porto is the best route for beginners. Why? Simply because these routes have a very good infrastructure, many albergues, and are well-marked.
The easiest option is to walk 100 km on one of the main Camino route, e.g. Camino Frances, Camino Portuguese. If you want to complete a longer route then the Portuguese Camino from Porto is one of the best options.
Which Camino is the hardest one?
Out of the seven main Camino de Santiago routes I'd say the Via de La Plata is the toughest route. First of all, because it's the longest route. Second, because the distances between the towns are very long sometimes you walk 20-25 km though nothing which means you have to carry a lot of water and some food with you. Third, it gets very hot in summer and quite cold in winter in that part of Spain.
In my opinion, the Camino del Norte is the second toughest Camino de Santiago route because of its long distance and many ascents and descents.
The part of the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon to Porto is quite challenging as well because of long distances between the towns and limited accommodation options.
The main Camino routes arranged by the distance:
- Via de la Plata - 1000 km/621 mi
- Camino del Norte - 825 km/512 mi
- Camino Francés - 790 km/490 mi
- Camino Portuguese from Lisbon* - between 613 km/381 mi and 650 km/403 mi (depending on the route from Porto)
- Camino Primitivo - 321 km/199 mi
- Camino Portuguese from Porto - 243 km/150 mi (Central Route); 274 km/170 mi (Coastal Route); and 280 km/173 mi (Litoral Way)
- Camino Inglés - 120 km/74 mi
- Camino Finisterre-Muxía - 115 km/71 mi
*I added the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon as a separate route because it is quite different from the Porto to Santiago part.
Which route is the most beautiful?
It's difficult to say which Camino de Santiago route is the most beautiful. Each route has something different to offer. Some people enjoy the forest, some mountains, and some sea.
After walking 11 different routes I'd say the Camino del Norte and the Litoral Way of the Portuguese Camino are our favorite coastal routes. Camino. We enjoy walking next to the sea. There are quite a few interesting cities and towns on the routes.
If you prefer mountainous scenery the Camino Primitivo and Camino del Salvador are the best routes through the mountains. These two routes offer more of a real hiking experience with fewer cities and towns.
Another route with spectacular scenery is the Camino de Gran Canaria. It's a 3-4 day route on the Canary Islands that connects two beaches and takes hikers through the lush-green forest and mountains. It's a great route to walk in winter.
As for the most popular route the Camino Frances it has some incredible days and beautiful cities but I'm not a big fan of walking through the plains which make a big part of it.
Which Camino route is the best for you?
Which Camino route is the best? is one of the most frequently asked Camino questions we get. It depends on several aspects.
- Decide how far you want to walk - short, middle, or long-distance route. You always can start a route not from its official beginning but from the point on the route that suits you the best.
- Choose the best route for the month you want to walk - not too hot, not too much rain.
- Determine what you want to see; coast, beach, forest, mountains, historical cities.
- Decide if you want to walk a busy and very social Camino route or rather have a solitary walk.
The 7 main Camino de Santiago routes
There are seven main routes of St.James;
- Camino Frances (the French Way)
- Camino Portugués (the Portuguese Way)
- Camino del Norte (the Northern Way)
- Camino Primitivo (the Original Way)
- Via de la Plata (the Silver Way)
- Camino Inglés (the English Way)
- Camino Finisterre-Muxía
These routes are well-marked and have enough infrastructure for pilgrims (some more some less).
| Long-distance routes | Middle-distance routes | Short-distance routes |
| Camino Portuguese from Lisbon 613 km/381 mi to 650 km/403 mi | Camino Portuguese from Porto Central Route - 243 km/150 mi Coastal Route - 274 km/170 mi Litoral Way - 280 km/173 mi | Camino Inglés - 110 km/68 mi |
| Camino Francés - 790 km/490 mi | Camino Primitivo - 321 km/199 mi | Camino Finisterre - 118 km/73 mi |
| Camino del Norte - 825 km/512 mi | ||
| Vía de la Plata - 1000 km/621 mi |
As I already mentioned we’ve walked all seven routes. Below I give my personal opinion on each of them.
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Camino Francés (the French Way)
- Distance - 790 km/490 mi
- Number of days (stages) - 28-35
- Starting point - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France)
- Regions - Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León, Galicia.
- It can be combined with - Camino Primitivo (from León following the Camino del Salvador), Camino Finisterre-Muxia (from Santiago de Compostela)
Best guidebook for the Camino Frances route - A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago (Camino Francés): St. Jean Pied de Port • Santiago de Compostela, John Brierley, 2023
The Camino Francés is the busiest Camino route. For many people the Camino de Santiago = Camino Francés. The popularity of this route was the main reason we didn't want to walk it but in the end, I decided to do the French Way to be able to compare it with other Camino routes. I walked it in September and there were many people. For 90% of all pilgrims I met, it was their first Camino de Santiago.
The French Camino out of all routes has the best infrastructure and the most albergues. Some of the albergues are open all year round which means this route can be completed off-season, in winter months.
Main towns on the route
There are many historical cities and towns on this route;
- Pamplona
- Logroño
- Burgos
- León
- Astorga
- Ponferrada
- Melide
- Santiago de Compostela.
Read more about the beautiful towns on the French Camino.
Best walking months
This route can be walked all year round, some albergues stay open all year. A good thing about walking the Camino Francés offseason is that there will be not many people. As for the weather, May-June and September-October are probably the best walking months. It gets very hot and very busy in July and August. In the last years, September (especially the beginning of the month) has become a very popular month for walking the French Way.
What we liked about the route
- It's cheap to walk the French Camino. There are many public albergues and albergues for donation, you can find one for every night.
- This route goes through some amazing Spanish cities such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León, and Astorga.
- It's a very social Camino every day you meet new people.
What we didn't like
It's a very busy route in the peak season people start racing for beds in public albergues. It's not a big problem if you end your day in a big city with many hostels and hotels or if you book your accommodation in advance.
The scenery, the part of walking through the famous Meseta (plains and fields with nothing) was not my favorite. It's just not my kind of scenery, I prefer mountains, forests, or the coast.
Difficulty level
Knowing that for many people it'll be their first Camino de Santiago I'd say 4 out of 5. It's a long route, and the distance of 790 km/490 mi is already a big challenge. If you walk in summer it gets very hot in the Meseta you have to start your day early at 5.30-6.00 am. Add to that a couple of long ascents and descents over the mountain passes.
Scenery overview
The middle section of the Camino from Burgos to Leon is through the Meseta with wheat fields dominating the landscape. For days you walk through plains with occasional trees and villages. There are very few rivers, lakes, or big water bodies on this route.
My favorite parts are the beginning of the Camino from St.Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona (over the Pyrenees) with beautiful mountain views and lush green forest. And the part from Astorga to O Cebreiro for the same reason; mountains, forest, small villages.
Camino Portuguese (the Portuguese Way)
- Distance - from Lisbon between 613 km/381 mi and 650 km/403 mi. Central Route (from Porto) - 243,5 km/151 mi; Coastal Route (from Porto) - 274 km/170 mi; Litoral Way (from Porto) - 280 km/173 mi.
- Number of days (stages) - from Lisbon - 25-27; Central Route (from Porto) - 10-13; Coastal and Litoral Route (from Porto) - 12-15
- Starting point - Lisbon or Porto.
- Regions - Portugal: Estremadura, Ribatejo, Beira, Douro Litoral and Minho. Spain: Galicia.
- It can be combined with - Camino Finisterre-Muxia (from Santiago).
The best guidebook - A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Portugués Lisbon – Porto – Santiago: including Camino Central, Variente Espiritual, Camino da Costa, & Senda Litoral, John Brierley, 2023
The Camino Portuguese starts at the Church of Santiago in Lisbon but most people start walking from Porto. The Lisbon to Porto part has less infrastructure for pilgrims. The route is marked but there are few albergues which means you end up paying more for accommodation. It’s possible to combine the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon with the Camino de Fátima.
The Portuguese Camino from Porto, there are 3 routes; the Central Route (inland), the Coastal Route (partly along the coast), and the Litoral Way (mostly along the coast). The routes merge in Redondela.
There is another route on the Portuguese Camino - the Spiritual Variant (Variante Espiritual). It splits from the main route past Pontevedra and merges again in Pontecesures.
Find more information in our post on the different routes of the Portuguese Camino.
Main towns on the route
- Lisbon
- Santarém
- Coimbra
- Porto
- Barcelos (Central Route)
- Ponte de Lima (Central Route)
- Viana do Castelo (Coastal and Litoral Route)
- Caminha (Coastal and Litoral Route)
- Vigo (Coastal and Litoral Route)
- Tui (Central Route)
- Pontevedra
- Santiago de Compostela
Best walking months
The best time for walking this Camino route is between May and July and September-October. In July and September, it can be quite hot on the Lisbon-Porto stretch. August is fine if you start walking from Porto. If you walk from Lisbon it’ll be very hot, the route goes through the plains with no shade. We walked the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon in May and had very good weather; warm, even hot some days, with no rain, the scenery was beautiful with many wildflowers and trees in blossom.
What we liked about the route
- We walked in spring the fields were covered in flowers
- Beautiful sea scenery on the Coastal and Litoral Route
- Interesting historical towns on the Central Route
- Possibility to combine different routes and sceneries
What we didn't like
- Our main dislike is for the Lisbon-Porto part; not enough albergues on the route, and long distances between towns.
Difficulty level
4 out of 5 for the Camino route from Lisbon to Porto due to long stretches through nothing and long distances between towns.
3 out of 5 for the Central Route from Porto to Santiago. It has many hills and involves a lot of walking on cobbled stones. The infrastructure is good, many albergues, restaurants, etc.
2 out of 5 for the Coastal and Litoral Way from Porto to Santiago. Not many hills, diverse waking surfaces, enough albergues, restaurants, etc.
Scenery overview
Countryside with many fields and vineyards and a couple of historical towns on the part between Lisbon and Porto.
Forest and fields with historical towns in between on the Central Route from Porto.
Beaches, coast, forest, and towns on the Coastal Route.
Mostly beaches and coast on the Litoral Way.
Camino del Norte (the Northern Way)
- Distance - 825 km/512 mi
- Number of days (stages) - 30-35
- Starting point - Irún
- Regions; the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia
- It can be combined with - Camino Primitivo (from Gijon) and Camino Finisterre-Muxia from Santiago.
The best guidebook for the route - Camino del Norte: Irún to Santiago along Spain's Northern Coast, 2025
The Camino del Norte is one of the oldest Camino routes. It is one of the longest Camino de Santiago routes in Spain and one of our favorites. We're big fans of the ocean and liked the walk, especially the first half of it through the Basque Country and Cantabria.
The Northern Way offers spectacular coastal scenery, and I think it is a good alternative to the French Way; the distance is about the same, the route is less crowded, and it goes the coast. It has beautiful towns with interesting sights.
Camino del Norte is considered to be tougher than Camino Frances because of multiple ascents and descents on the way but it doesn’t have any mountain passes like the French route.
It merges with the French Route in Arzua, 40 km/24.8 mi before Santiago de Compostela.
Main cities and towns on the route
- San Sebastián
- Guernica
- Bilbao
- Portugalete
- Castro Urdiales
- Santander
- Santillana del Mar
- Llanes
- Gijón
- Avilés
- Ribadeo (Coastal Route)
- Santiago de Compostela
Best walking months
June to September is a good time for this route, July and August are the busiest months, with many tourists in beach towns, and most pilgrims on the Camino. The end of May and beginning of October are good border months with fewer people and possibly good weather.
What we like about the route
- Beautiful sea scenery
- Great food (especially in the Basque Country)
- Several interesting historical towns
- Not too many pilgrims
What we didn't like
- Prices are higher in the Basque Country and Cantabria compared to other Spanish regions.
- Very few public albergues on the route which makes it more expensive.
- Parts of the route along the road (e.g. the entire stage from Gijon to Aviles).
Difficulty level
4 out of 5, it is a long route, many ascends and descends on the way, a couple of stages with long distances between towns, albergues, places to stop for food, etc.
Scenery overview
About 50% of the walk is along the coast; beautiful sea scenery, beaches, green hills, picturesque towns, and a little bit of forest. Walking this route we often regretted not having enough time to explore some parts of it. We'd like to stay longer than just one night in several places along the way.
Camino Primitivo (the Original Way)
- Distance - 321 km/200 mi
- Number of days (stages) - 12-15
- Starting point - Oviedo
- Regions - Asturias, Galicia
- It can be combined with - Camino Finisterre-Muxia (from Santiago)
The history of the Camino de Santiago dates back to the 9th century when the first pilgrims walked to Santiago de Compostela to commemorate the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle St.James. The Camino Primitivo or the Original Way is believed to be the first Camino ever walked. According to the historical manuscripts Spanish King Alfonso II walked from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela in the 9th century.
The Primitive Way is probably the closest to the real hike route. You walk on a footpath through the forest and over the mountains. You get towns but not as many as on the other routes. There is not much walking on or next to the road. If you have a knee problem it is difficult route due to many steep hills.
The route merges with the Camino Frances in Melide, 52 km/32.3 mi before Santiago.
Main towns on the route
There are very few cities and big towns on this Camino
- Oviedo
- Lugo
- Melide
- Santiago de Compostela
Best walking months
June - August are the warmest months with the least rainfalls. Second half of May and September are good border months. The weather in the mountains is quite unpredictable we walked this Camino in June and got a lot of rain. Be prepared for it.
What we liked about the route
- “Wild Camino” with a lot of walking on the footpath, trails, through remote areas, very few cities, no industrial areas, or busy roads.
- Public albergues can be found at the end of every walking stage, you can easily complete the whole route staying only in public albergues, which makes the walk cheaper.
- The Camino goes through off-the-beaten-track areas.
- Locals are very friendly and helpful.
What we didn't like
- We were very unlucky with the weather even though we walked the Camino in summer (June), we had a lot of rain and mud on the trail. Otherwise, it's a great Camino to walk with good facilities and stunning scenery.
Difficulty level
4 out of 5, many steep ascends and descends pretty much every day between Oviedo and Lugo.
Scenery overview
Beautiful mountain, lush-green forest, waterfalls, water reservoirs, etc. The trail goes through some remote areas of Asturias, with no cities or big towns on the way.
Camino Inglés (the English Way)
- Distance - 116 km/72 mi from Ferrol, 74 km/46 mi from A Coruña
- Number of days (stages) - 4-6
- Starting point - Ferrol or A Coruña
- Regions - Galicia
- It can be combined with - Camino Finisterre-Muxia (from Santiago)
The best guidebook - A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino Inglés: The English Way also known as the Celtic Camino: Ferrol & Coruña - Santiago, John Brierley, 2024
The Camino Inglés is probably the best Camino for those who want to get a taste of the walk. It’s easy to combine this route with a holiday in Spain. You can decide whether the Camino is your cup of tea or not, after completing this route. The Camino from Ferrol has proper marking and good infrastructure.
We haven't walked from A Coruña but some sources say that route is not well-marked. If you start walking from A Coruña you won't be able to get the Compostela unless you live there or you start walking in England and then continue from A Coruña and your total distance is 100 km/62 mi or more.
Main towns on the route
A Coruña or Ferrol (depending on where you start) and Santiago de Compostela.
Best walking months
June - September, the beginning of October, and the second half of May, though in our experience it can rain any time in Galicia.
What we liked about the route
- A short Camino de Santiago route that can be done over a long weekend.
- The English Way is a perfect option for first-time pilgrims, it gives a good idea about walking the Camino. After completing it you can decide whether you like it or not before planning to walk one of the longer routes.
- It's a quiet route with not many people.
- There are no big cities or industrial areas.
What we didn't like
- My main dislike was the walking surface on this route, a lot of walking on sidewalks and tar roads.
Difficulty level
Though the Camino Inglés is a short route I'd give it 2 out of 5 due to multiple ascents and descents on the way.
Scenery overview
A typical Galician scenery, a mixture of pasture fields and lush green forest with a little bit of sea scenery and a couple of beaches in the beginning. Some parts e.g. on the last day to Santiago were truly beautiful.
Via de la Plata (the Silver Route)
- Distance - 1000 km/621 mi
- Number of days (stages) - 40-50 days
- Starting point - Seville
- Regions - Andalucía, Extremadura, Castilla y León, Galicia
- It can be combined with - the Camino Frances (from Astorga)
The best guidebook - Walking La Via de la Plata and Camino Sanabres: The Camino de Santiago from Seville to Santiago de Compostela and Astorga, 2024
The Via de la Plata or the Silver Way follows an old Roman road to the mines in Northern Spain. Later the route was used for many other purposes e.g. moving stock from south to north in summer, trading, migratory, etc. It was used as a pilgrimage route to Santiago between the 10th and the 12th centuries. Nowadays the route has some infrastructure for pilgrims. It’s the least popular of the 7 routes, only 1,8% of pilgrims walk it.
This route is not recommended to walk as the first Camino due to the distance, fewer facilities, and long stages through nothing. For planning this walk it’s important to keep in mind the seasons.
The route splits after Zamora; one goes to Astorga where it merges with the French Camino another continues to Santiago through Ourense (this part is also known as Camino Sanabrés).
Main cities and towns on the route
Despite the length, there are not many big cities and towns on this route
- Seville
- Itálica
- Mérida
- Cáceres
- Salamanca
- Zamora
- Ourense
- Santiago de Compostela
Best walking months
April and May, when it’s warm but not too hot yet. In autumn it cools down only in October. Walking Via de la Plata between July and September is not a good idea, the temperature in Andalucía and Extremadura in August reaches 40C°, it’s very dry and hot.
What we liked about the route
- Walking surface, compared to some other routes, on the Via de la Plata there is not much tar or road walking.
- Some impressive Roman ruins, e.g. Italica, Mérida, etc.
- Every town along the route has an ATM, restaurants, and a shop/supermarket.
- No walking through industrial or urban areas, most of the time very peaceful countryside and fields.
What we didn't like
- Long stages with nothing in between, no towns or villages, no places to refill water.
- Not as many public albergues as on more popular Camino routes.
Difficulty level
I'd say 5 out of 5, a very long route combined with long stages and long distances in between. Plus tough weather conditions if you walk this Camino in summer or winter.
Scenery overview
A lot of walking through the fields, vineyards, and olive tree plantations with some interesting Roman ruins in between. In spring the area is covered in wildflowers.
Camino Finisterre-Muxía
- Distance - Santiago-Finisterre - 89 km/55 mi, Santiago-Muxía - 86 km/53 mi, Santiago-Muxía-Finisterre - 115 km/71 mi.
- Number of days (stages) - 3-5
- Starting point - Santiago de Compostela.
- Finishing point - Finisterre or Muxía
- Regions - Galicia
- It can be walked as an extension of any Camino route
The best guidebook - A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Finisterre: Including Muxía Circuit: Santiago ― Finisterre ― Muxía ― Santiago, John Brierley, 2022
The name Finisterre comes from the Latin “finis terrae” which means “end of the earth”. The origin of the pilgrimage to Cape Finisterre goes back to pre-Christian times when people believed it was the edge of the world.
People usually walk the Camino Finisterre after completing one of the other routes but it can be walked as a separate Camino. It is a good option for those who are not sure if they want/will be able to walk a longer route of the Camino de Santiago. The Camino Finisterre-Muxía is the only Camino de Santiago route that starts (not ends) in Santiago de Compostela.
There are two finishing points; Finisterre and Muxía, both capes with small towns. It’s possible to walk to both of them. The route connecting the capes is the most scenic part of the Camino. After completing it you can get the Finisterrana and/or Muxiana certificates. There are plenty albergues, restaurants, and cafes on the route.
Main towns on the route
- Santiago de Compostela
- Negreira
- Cee
- Dumbria
- Finisterre
- Muxía
Best walking months
June to September. We walked this Camino in November and got a lot of rain and stormy wind.
What we liked about the route
- Beautiful sea scenery at Finisterre and Muxía
- Relaxed vibe maybe it feels that way because most people who walk this route have just finished one Camino route and are pretty chilled.
What we disliked
- Our main dislike was too much rain and strong wind we got on the route but we walked it in November, not the best time of the year.
- Very few supermarkets and shops on the way which makes it difficult to buy food.
Difficulty level
2 out of 5 - short route, many places to stop for food, many albergues. It has some hills, and a steep and long ascent on the first day (if it wasn't for that I'd give it 1 out of 5).
Scenery overview
Forest and fields most of the way, beautiful sea views on the stretch between Finisterre and Muxía.
Camino de Santiago planning resources
- How much does it cost to walk the Camino? | The cost of the Camino de Santiago - a detailed breakdown |
- What to pack for the Camino? | Packing list for the Camino de Santiago |
- Use our tips for planning your Camino | The best Camino de Santiago tips |
- How did it all start? | The history of the pilgrimage to Santiago |
- The Old Town of Santiago de Compostela | UNESCO World Heritage site |
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The pretty half of Stingy Nomads, responsible for all our land adventures (hiking, climbing, walking the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves walking since she was a child, she prefers to walk 1000 km with a backpack rather than to do a 10 000 km road trip (actually any road trip). Alya is a big fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Every time we go away she desperately misses our dog Chile.
Hola! I plan on walking my first Camino this next spring and am taking a route less traveled by in order to follow the likely footsteps of ancestors who may have walked it some centuries ago. The Camino de Levante runs from the Valencian Community through La Mancha to Zamora. From Zamora, I'm not sure whether to follow the Sanabrés or Via de la Plata to Astorga and then join the many on the Francés. I plan to begin my journey in mid-April from Corral de Almaguer near Toledo because that's where my ancestors lived and join the Camino de Levante in nearby Villacañas. I've mapped it out and like you say, not much infrastructure for peregrinos outside of the major towns. Still, I'm dedicated to making this happen and will be happy to let you all know how it goes and what I learn on the way. I go by "el Búho" on the trail, one who does not race out of his abode in a hurry to burn daylight. I figure it will take me 50 some days to get to Santiago. Meanwhile, any ideas you have on my route, timing, or things to not trip over, are very much appreciated.
Hello Tim. Your Camino sounds like the ultimate adventure. We haven't done the route you're planning to walk so unfortunately I can't advise on it. I wish you the best of luck. It'll be interesting to hear about your walk once you're done.
Buen Camino
Hi guys! Could you please tell me if it is possible to build my route from Navia to Lugo. I mean are there alberges and road marking on that part of the road? Would appreciate hearing your answer
Hello Betti. I know of no direct Camino route from Navia to Lugo. It means there are no albergues or route marking. You can walk from Navia to Baamonde following the Camino del Norte and from there try walking to Lugo, it's around 30 km. I don't think that part will be marked. If you want to switch from the Camino del Norte to the Primitivo you can do it before Gijon, there is a connection route to Oviedo, the starting point of the Camino Primitivo.
Buen Camino
Great information in one place... I am thinking seriously about doing one of the routes.. One question I do have is the travel logistics on getting there from the US and also returning. I have heard of "open jaw" trips, about going to Paris first and start there or maybe Madrid, or maybe London.. Do you have any advice in this area? thanks so much, Dave ( I am thinking about the Norte or the Primitivo)
Hello, Dave. Thank you for the comment. From my experience, it usually works out cheaper to buy a return flight for long-distance trips. A return flight from the US to Madrid will be cheaper than two one-way flights. Before booking a flight I'd suggest deciding on the Camino route. If you decide to walk the Camino Frances from St.Jean you can fly either to Paris or Madrid and from there get to St.Jean. Overall Madrid is probably the best city to fly to from the US it's easy to get to the starting point of any Camino route and it's easy to get back from Santiago de Compostela. For the Camino Primitivo, I'd definitely recommend flying to and from Madrid. For del Norte you can fly to Barcelona though getting from Santiago to Barcelona after completing the Camino is not as easy as to Madrid.
Buen Camino
@Stingy Nomads, thank you so much for you help!!
Absolutely superb website! Just the right amount of information to give a general overview. Great for helping with making a decision re which route to take; what to pack, etc., and, pennies required. Am saving from now. Plan on🚶♀️to celebrate my upcoming retirement for the next chapter on my life’s pilgrimage…
Hello, Alice. Thank you very much for the comment. It's great to know that our website is helpful. If you have any questions regarding the Camino de Santiago we'll be happy to answer them.
Buen Camino
Hi there,
I'm much enjoying your expertise, thank you!
My sister, mother and I want to make a one week long hike in memory of our brother who didn't make it through Covid.
Our mom is 83 years old but she is very sporty. We love sea scenery and even swim in cold water, so I thought The Northern Way might be our choice. We could start from Bilbao and walk just slightly over 10 km a day, for 6-7 days. We would do that either in the end of April or then in May. Does this sound sound?
We would like to make bookings in private guesthouses, sharing a room, and we would also use the service to get the luggage to the next place. Do you think I need to take some company to assist in all this?
thanks,
Jaana
Hello, Jaana. Thank you for the comment. I'm very sorry to hear about your brother.
If you like sea scenery the Northern Camino is a good option. May is our favorite month for walking the Camino de Santiago. We have a detailed post with the walking stages for the Camino del Norte where you can find downloadable PDF files with accommodation along the route and walking stages https://stingynomads.com/camino-del-norte-stages/ You can use these files to plan your itinerary and book accommodation. You can do it yourself. Correos, a Spanish post service offers luggage delivery on the Camino del Norte you can easily book it on their website. First, you book your accommodation along the route and then luggage delivery.
Buen Camino
@Stingy Nomads,
That is wonderful help, thank you!
We are three old sisters (who are not fit) and want to walk El Camino from Vigo or Tui but, we want to only walk 7-8 kilometers per day. Is there anybody out there who can accommodate our requirements?
Looking forward to your response.
MR
Hello, Margarita. We have two detailed posts on both Camino Portuguese routes the Central route through Tui https://stingynomads.com/camino-portugues-stages/ and the Coastal route through Vigo https://stingynomads.com/portuguese-coastal-camino-stages/. In these posts, you can find PDF files with distances between towns, facilities, and accommodation options. You can download these files and use them to plan your itinerary. On both routes, the first stage from Vigo to Redondella (16 km) is a bit difficult to break down into shorter days because there are no places to stay in between. You can split it into two, walk 8 km a day and take a taxi to the nearest accommodation and back to the trail. From Redondella to Santiago there are many places to stay along the route you'll be able to walk only 7 km per day.
Buen Camino
Thank you for all of this information! We plan to hike either the Portuguese route or Camino Frances this spring. How are the covid restrictions in Portugal vs. Spain?
Hello, Ashley. Thank you for the comment. The restrictions change every day nobody will be able to tell you what's going to happen in the spring. We live in Portugal here and in Spain, the restrictions come and go according to the infection rate, etc. As of now, you need a negative test or a vaccine certificate to sit inside the restaurants and to stay in hotels. The restrictions are similar in both countries right now. In Spain as well it varies depending on the region some have more restrictions some less. I'd recommend keeping an eye on the situation in both countries and to decide which Camino route to walk as it gets close to your travel dates.
Buen Camino
Thank you for this informative article ... Will help us decide what route to take! Do you know if Covid has effected any of the walking routes? Will there be restrictions for eg crossing from Portugal to Spain?
Hello, Lara. Thank you for the comment. We live in Portugal and as far as I know, currently, there are no restrictions for crossing the border from Portugal to Spain. The main Covid related inconvenience on the Camino is that many public albergues are closed and not going to open this year. There are plenty of private albergues and hotels that accept guests at the moment.
Buen amino
@Stingy Nomads, thank you for your reply!
When I started researching Caminos, I was initially thinking of starting somewhere in Asturias and the Coastal Way was mentioned. Is that the same as El Camino del Norte?
Hello. This was a wonderful and informative article - thank you. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for a shorter version of the Camino Frances. My friend and I don't have the time we were hoping for and are wondering if we should take a shorter route and save the Camino Frances for when we have more time or if we could hike it but not from the beginning. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!
Hello, Karen. Thank you for the comment! You can start walking the Camino Frances from anywhere not necessarily from the St.Jean-Pied-de-Port. If you want to get the Compostela you have to walk at least the last 100km to Santiago on any Camino route. Many people start walking the French Camino from Sarria, it takes 5-6 days to complete. You can find more information on that part in our post https://stingynomads.com/camino-frances-sarria-santiago-walk/. As an option, you can walk the Portuguese Camino from Porto (14 days), the Camino Primitivo (14 days), or the Engish Way (5-6 days). If after completing one of the shorter routes you still have time and feel like walking you can always continue from Santiago to Finisterre, it's another 3-4 days.
Buen Camino
Hi
I was recommended your blog by a Portuguese friend . I have been reading a lot about the Camino ans will go , god willing , in 2022 may or September . My mind is set on the coastal Portuguese camino. Are the routes mainly on roads or are there tracks etc . I plan to go with. Friend and my daughter . That’s the plan any way .
Hello, Manickam! On the Portuguese Camino, you walk mostly on sidewalks, cobbled streets, and boardwalks there are very few footpaths. If you want a route that is similar to hiking I'd suggest the Camino Primitivo; it goes over the mountains, the most of the route is on the footpath.
Buen Camino!
Hi Alya,
I'm thinking of walking the Camino del Norte and I'm not sure whether to do the whole route or finish in the Camino Primitivo.
I haven't yet found information comparing the last stretch of the Norte (from Gijón) to the Primitivo.
Could you offer any advise on this having walked both of them?
Thank you for all the details on your blog, making preparations much easier to manage for the rest of us.
Cheers, Karina
Hello, Karina! Thank you for the comment. I think it's a really good idea to combine del Norte with the Primitivo as you get to see two different areas; the coast and the mountains. The part from Gijon does have a bit of a coastline but it's not as impressive as the first part of del Norte in the Basque Country and Cantabria. The stage from Gijon to Aviles (1 walking day) is the worst on this route with a lot of walking next to the road and through industrial areas, many people take a bus to skip this part. We haven't walked the route that connects del Norte with the Primitivo but it seems to be a well-marked trail with albergues.
Buen Camino!
Hello! Your articles are very helpful in our preparation for our very 1st Camino De Portuguese walk.
We would like to ask if it's possible to send our luggage from Porto straight to Santiago the ff. day t our hotel in Santiago?
Thank you in advance!
Hello, Jynnice! Thank you for the comment! You can check Pilbeo or Way to Santiago they both do luggage transfer on the Portuguese Camino. We've never used any of them we can't say which one is the best.
Buen Camino!
Hi Stingy Nomads. Thanks for the detailed accounts of so many of the routes. I'm planning on riding a bike on one of the routes next year as my aging knees can no longer hold up to multiple days of walking and carrying a pack. I'll have 2-3 weeks to ride, and I was wondering if you could provide some insight as to which routes are better suited to bicycles. Distance, and verticle climbs and descents are not an issue as I've done a lot of long distance cycling. Also, is it possible to camp along the route and not even stay in one of the albergues? Thanks.
Hello, Newton! We've never cycled the Camino. We've seen many cyclists on the Via de la Plata there were more cyclists than walkers there. It's a 1000km route, distances between towns are quite long it's more suitable for cycling than for walking, it's pretty flat as well. It's a wide gravel road most of the time cyclists don't have to switch to the road cycling like on some other Camino routes. There were quite a lot of cyclists in the second half of the Camino Frances as well. The Portuguese Camino is another nice route for cycling if you have 3 weeks you can start from Lisbon and go all the way to Santiago. I don't think it's worth to take camping gear with, there are almost no designated campsites, in Portugal, you can do bush camping but in Spain, it's not allowed. Albergues are pretty cheap and have good facilities you can shower and wash your stuff unless you really like wild camping without facilities. I'm not sure how easy it's to always find a spot for camping sometimes the Camino goes through a very populated area.
@Stingy Nomads, Thank you for all the instructive articles. Your site has helped us narrow our decision. A question about the Camino Portugues, coastal route; is biking on a seperate path or does one share the road with motorized vehicles?
Another question, is the coastal Camino only the Camino Portugues or are there coastal caminos that go near Bilbao and San Sebastian?
Hello, Estela. Thank you for the comment. Most of the time you can cycle on the same trail people walk, it's not a footpath. Sometimes you'll have to cycle on the road.
The Camino route through San Sebastian and Bilbao is called the Camino del Norte. It goes along the coast of northern Spain.
Buen Camino.
Hi Nomads!
Thanks for your awesome blog. It was very helpful on my Camino del Norte in May/June '19. I did the Iron to Gijon stretch, which was amaZing and am considering going back this May/June to finish the Camino from Gijon to Santiago. I'm very interested in the Primitivo too. Do you think it wise to do the Primitivo in reverse (Santiago to Oviedo) once I finish the del Norte? I'm looking at return flights to/from Oviedo so logistically it makes sense to me 😉
Hello, Sharon! Thank you for the comment! If you have time to walk both routes it's fine to walk it in reverse. Another option is to walk from Gijon (the split is before Gijon, at Casquita, 3km from Villaviciosa) to Oviedo and continue on the Camino Primitivo to Santiago. There is a 2-day connection route from del Norte to Primitivo some of the pilgrims we walked with did it. If you still have time from Santiago you can continue on the Camino Finisterre that takes you to the coast, it's another 4 days. The part from Gijon to Aviles is probably the worst stage on the Camino del Norte a lot of road walking and industrial areas, many people take a bus and continue walking from Aviles.
Buen Camino!
Hello Stingy Nomads. Your detailed information on the various Camino routes is fantastic. My problem is which one to choose. This will likely be my only adventure of this type and I need your wisdom. I live in Colorado and mountain hiking is really all I have done. From your descriptions of the routes it seems like I would enjoy some aspects of a few routes. Some mountain passes, costal stretches and rolling fields with flowers blooming sound great to me. I would like to see the historical towns and architecture as well. I’m not a fan of wind day after day. The routes I am looking at are Del Norte, Portuguese and Frances. Will there be a lot of walking on paved roads with cars zipping by on Frances like I have read? I’m hoping to go in the spring next year if that is the best time for these routes. I will have 8 weeks to complete my pilgrimage. Thank you very much for your advice.
Hello, Ron! Thank you for the comment! From your description, I'd say del Norte is the best option for you; it goes along the coast, there are some mountains along the route though not really high, there several big and small historical towns along the way. I'm sure there will be flowers in the spring. If you want more of the mountain route you can combine the Camino del Norte with the Camino Primitivo, there is a connection route between the two Caminos. As for the Frances, there are many fields along the route I guess in the spring there are many flowers and there are quite a few historical cities but there is no significant water bodies you definitely won't walk along the coast. The Portuguese Camino from Porto goes along the coast (the Coastal route) but it's very flat there are no mountains or hills, there are a couple of towns but they are not as big and famous as on the other Camino routes. The route from Porto is very short about 260km I think it is too short for 8 weeks. I hope it helps!
Buen Camino!
Very informative, especially for those who are trying to weave their way through the maze of Caminos and decide which one to select. I tend to go with the long and quiet Caminos, having completed the Via de la Plata in 2018, I began the Levante in June and go back next month to cintinue.
The one thing, of course, that all Caminos have in common is safety. People should give this top priority, be aware of the risks and your surroundings. Even this year, there have been several deaths, heat exhaustion, pedestrian road accidents and, this past Thursday, an Irish man who went for a swim after his walk and drowned.
Hi!
Really helpfull article.
You read that it is not very comfortable walking on asphalt. So I was just wondering what is the most comfy subsurface to walk on?
I find it difficult to choose.. I wanted to go in October/November but now I am doing it in September because of the weather. I had set my mind on the Camino Frances, but because of lack of time and the distance I think the route from Porto would be a good start, only I was wondering if there will be other people walking? I would like to meet some other pilgrims 🙂
Adíos!
Hello, Lorena! Thank you for the comment! The Portuguese Camino is the second popular Camin route, September is still season I believe there will be many pilgrims walking from Porto, you definitely won't be alone.
Buen Camino!
Great article and informative, lots of interesting and usefull information.
I am planning on walking another Camino soon after already walking most of the more popular ones overv the last eight years and this has been very helpful to me.
Thank you for taking time and effort to publish it ,I am sure will be of benifit to lots of future Pilgrims.
Hello, Wonderfreewalker! Cool name by the way) Thank you very much for the feedback! We just finished our sixth Camino de Santiago that we walked over the last year, since May 2018. We're planning to continue our Camino adventures and explore some off the beaten path routes.
Buen Camino!
Great article and great resources for my Camino research but the disabled right click (which means I can't easily Google various words is a major pain. I cant even select a single word and bring over to Google). Please reconsider this and if it is worth to destroy the experience for your readers for what ever the benefit would be.
Thanks for your effort in putting this together.
Thanks for reading and we are glad you enjoyed this free resource that we spent a lot of time and money creating. We do link to many related sites to explain related terms and content to improve the user experience. You can not right click on our site to protect our content from being copied. Buen Camino!