Camino de Santiago, or St James Way, is one of the most famous long-distance hiking and pilgrimage routes. I want to do it very much but Im anxious Im not in shape to do it nor do i think I have lots of time to train. Flying to Madrid-Barajas Airport is also a good option for reaching Granja de Moreruela. The terrain on both the North Way and French way is similar, with the North Way being a bit more hilly. You are using an out of date browser. Hi Dawn, thank you for writing, we will be contacting you soon with all the details and recommendations about your dream route. I once traveled to poor countries with an older gentleman who carried ballons in his pocket. World Travel Connector is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It has a lot of hard surface with a mix of soft but not hills - not yet anyway - there a few coming up. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If notLook, I'm in PDG (pretty darn good) physical shape. Learn how your comment data is processed. Here's what it was like. World Travel Connector Copyright 2023 | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Malaga-Costa del SolInternational Airport, Santiago-Rosalade Castro Airportin Santiago de Compostela, Starting point: Irun in the Basque Country, Spain, Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, Camino del Norte etapas: 36 etapas (stages) in total, Camino del Norte days: 30-34 days on average, Camino del Norte total elevation gain: 57303 ft (17.5 km), Camino del Norte total elevation loss: 79382 ft (24.2 km), Camino del Norte average elevation per km: 324 ft (98.7 m), Camino del Norte best time to go: July-August, Camino del Norte type of pilgrims: beach lovers, foodies, true hikers, solitude seekers, Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino del Norte: about 6%, Starting point: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Basque Country, France, Camino Frances etapas: 33 stages in total, Camino Frances min/max elevation: 249 m / 1512 m, Camino Frances elevation gain/loss: 4849 m /-4089 m, Camino Frances best time to go: April June, and September October, Camino Frances type of pilgrims: first-time Camino walkers, history buffs, social butterflies, Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Frances: 55 %, Finishing point: Astorga in Leon (in Astorga the route joins Camino Frances), Camino Via de La Plata length: 702 km (+ 283 km from Astorga to Santiago via Camino Frances), Camino Via de La Plata etapas: 37 stages in total, Camino Via de La Plata days: 7 weeks on average, Camino Via de La Plata min/max elevation: 5 m / 1147 m, Camino Via de La Plata elevation gain/loss: 7857 m / 6995 m, Camino Via de La Plata best time to go: April, May, and October, Camino Via de La Plata type of pilgrims: solitude fans, inner journey seekers, long-distance trails lovers, Camino veterans (pilgrims who already walked one or more Camino routes), Percentage of pilgrims who walk Via de La Plata: about 3%, Starting point: Granja de Moreruela in Castilla y Leon, Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Camino Sanabres etapas: 13 stages in total, Camino Sanabres min/max elevation: 55 m/1356 m, Camino Sanabres elevation gain/loss: 7234 m/-7689 m, Camino Sanabres best time to go: April-June, September-October, Camino Sanabres type of pilgrims: crowds-avoiding nature lovers, Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Sanabres: less than 0.5%, Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela in Spain, Camino Portuguese etapas: 26 stages in total, Camino Portugues days: 25 days on average to walk the entire route, Camino Portuguese min/max elevation: -10 m / 475 m, Camino Portuguese elevation gain/loss: 12149 m/ -11923m, Camino Portuguese best time to go: May, June, and September (wet weather starts in mid-October), Camino Portuguese type of pilgrims: first-time Camino walkers, social butterflies, foodies, Percentage of pilgrims who walk Portuguese: about 20%, Camino Portuguese da Costalength: 260 km, Camino Portuguese da Costa etapas: 13 stages in total, Camino Portuguese min/max elevation: 0m / 256 m, Camino Portuguese elevation gain/loss: 4283 m / -4089 m, Camino Portuguese best time to go: May, June, and September (summer is too hot, winter is wet and cold), Camino Portuguese type of pilgrims: beach lovers, first-time Camino walkers (less crowded than Camino Frances and less physically challenging than Camino del Norte), foodies (Portuguese food, Porto and Albarino wine), social butterflies, Percentage of pilgrims who walk Portuguese: about 5%, Camino Inglese etapas: 5 etapas from Ferrol (4 etapas from A Coruna), Camino Inglese min/max elevation: 0 m / 461 m, Camino Inglese elevation gain/loss: 2855 m / -2610 m, Camino Inglese best time to go: March mid-November, Camino Inglese type of pilgrims: to experience Galician culture, for peoplewho have available only a short time for the Camino, Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Ingles: between 4-6%, Starting point: Oviedo in Asturias, Spain, Finishing point: Santiago in Galicia, Spain, Camino Primitivo etapas: 13 etapas in total, Camino Primitivo min/max elevation: 40 m / 1216 m, Camino Primitivo elevation gain/loss: 10092 m / 10076 m, Camino Primitivo best time to go: June September (to avoid the rain), Camino Primitivo type of pilgrims: true hikers, nature lovers, history buffs, Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Primitivo: about 5 %, Starting point: Malaga , Almeria or Jaen in Andalusia, Finishing point: Santiago ( it joins Camino Via de la Plata in Merida), Camino Mozarabe length: 1500 km from Almeria, Camino Mozarabe etapas: 27 etapas until Merida (+28 etapas via Camino Via de La Plata via Ourense), Camino Mozarabe best time to go: spring and autumn (avoid the extreme heat in summer), Camino Mozarabe type of pilgrims: solitude seekers, history buffs (interested in Moorish and Roman history of Spain), foodies (tapas in Granada), Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Mozarabe: a few hundred pilgrims a year, Camino Invierno etapas: 10 stages in total (the last 2 stages are of Via de La Plata Sanabres), Camino Invierno best time to go: spring, summer, Camino Invierno type of pilgrims: solitude fans, nature lovers, off-the-beaten-track Camino enthusiasts, Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Invierno: about 0,5 %, Starting point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Camino a Fisterra min/max elevation: 4m /477 m, Camino a Fisterra elevation gain/loss: 2227 m / -2368 m. Caminoa Fisterra best time to go: April-June, September-October. World Travel Connector is a popular travel blog providing smart travel guides, itineraries & travel tips for the most beautiful & interesting destinations. Camino Frances is one of the easiest Camino de Santiago routes to hike. I feel what You say. HAve a wonderful day, Buen Camino! The country is gorgeous. To make your decision easier, we will talk about the length and difficulty of each route as well as the landscapes and facilities you will find along the way. Yago is an old Spanish version of James. For something different, why not explore the Camino Mozarabe in Spains beautiful Andalucia region. Choose the Best Camino de Santiago Route for You. Thank you kindly x, All Albergues on the Camino Frances in one pdf, Favorite Albergues along the Camino Frances, Profile maps of all 34 stages of the Camino Frances, Life on the Camino - Miscellaneous Topics. The Camino Portugues coastal route is the best route for those who want to enjoy a rural experience. Both of these are popular, well signposted and active routes so youre likely to meet fellow pilgrims and also therell be no shortage of shops and restaurants along the way. The whole ethos of walking the Camino is being ruined by advance bookings of beds. Where to fly to start Camino Frances? Nevertheless, it is a bit of a solitary route. Were so excited that youre about to set off on your first Camino journey. Camino del Norte follows the northern coast of Spain, which is a rainy part of the country. Learn how your comment data is processed. We are all walkers and range in ages 65 to 75. For some people, it was a movie, a book, a friends story about their Camino experience or a profound desire to become a pilgrim. Camino Frances is the most popular route towards Santiago de Compostela. Beginning from Camino Primitivo, it spans 227 km up until Lugo - at which point the route joins with Camino Frances for a total distance of over 300 km. Camino del Norte is a coastal Santiago de Compostela route. It's a challenge tackling such a long and varied route. We are looking for beautiful views, quant villages, delicious food and maybe lots of options to stop for a rest, food, hotels. +34 910 607 497 / info@pilgrim.es . You'll have to walk more than 20 km a day if you want to finish in 2 weeks. My concern is what airport would we fly into and fly out of . If your answer is yes, the French Way is the right Camino de Santiago route for you. Of these two routes, would you recommend one over the other? Our Camino begins in Ferrol, a traditionally seafaring city and also a significant waypoint for pilgrims in medieval times coming from Northern Europe and the British Isles. Walk in the footsteps of Paulo Coelho, bestselling author of "The Pilgrimage" and Martin Sheen in the movie "The Way". If you decide to walk Via de la Plata in Seville , you will need to walk about 2 months from Seville to Santiago. The French Way is the most popular Camino route. You want the proper hiking experience and youre more than physically capable of handling it. am interested in the camino portugues way, but needs a shorter distance than can be covered in a week walking. It is the oldest Camino route. Camino Francs (the French Way) Camino Portuguese. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join our amazing community and well keep you in the loop with our latest news! Fly to Biarritz-Pays BasqueAirport and then take a bus from the airport to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. we only have 10 days to travel, including flights- which leaves us at about 8 days to hike. Therefore, this Camino de Santiago de Compostela route is recommended for first-time Camino goers. If you can only walk 10km a day (a little under 6.5 miles) then do that. Camino Mozarabe or the Mozarabic Way is also called the Mozarabic Caminos since there are three different starting points (three different starting paths). Camino Frances or the French Way of Camino de Santiago goes from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port via Logrono, Burgos, Leon, Astorga, and Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. There are options long and short, hard and easy, to suit every pair of feet. I have about 4 people who want me to lead them on the 100k version. Contrary to popular belief, Camino de Santiago is not one route. Some towns, like Sarria, live almost solely from the pilgrims, so they take great pride in their hospitality. While walking the Camino Mozarabe, make sure you dont miss the Alhambra in Granada and the visually stunning Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba. Hi Karen, thank so much for writing us this way, soon one of our Camino Specialist will contact you. Where to fly to start Camino Via de La Plata?Seville International Airport (San Pablo Airport). #3. ravichok said: I am planning to walk the camino for the first time in July/Aug 2017 and have about 3 weeks time. A Coruna is only 96 km (less than the prerequisite 100 km from Santiago). The Mozarabic Way can be started in Almeria, Malaga, or Jaen. It is a pleasure to greet you and thank you for your interest. It's a fairly easy walk, too. Both of these offer ample opportunity to wash away the stress and sweat of everyday life, especially if youve just completed a full day of walking. 50% of pilgrims who completed the French Camino walked the last 100 km from Sarria . It is also recommended to watch El Camino before Better Call Saul, as one brief moment in Better Call Saul . You wont find two similar stages. It is a historical Camino de Santiago route traveled by pilgrims from northern Europe (most notably, England) who arrived by boat to Ferrol or A Coruna in northern Spain, and who from there continued to Santiago by land. In October 2019, I elected to walk the Portuguese Camino Coastal route. Camino Ingles must be started in Ferrol (not in A Coruna) to be eligible for a Compostela. And wish to choose right. 2nd ed. With stories of 50 incredible hiking routes in 30 countries, from New Zealand to Peru, plus a further 150 suggestions, this book will inspire a lifetime of adventure on foot. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Oviedo is one of the best start places for two weeks on the Camino, albeit unpopular. Million thanks, dear Milijana! Take a look at our Camino de Santiago Routesto choose your favourite or select one from one of the other interests listed above. In it, we can find not only authentic natural and landscape gems but the best of Portuguese gastronomy and, of course, Galician. Thank you in advance! Many walkers will be seeking out less frequented alternatives to the classic Camino Francs. Out of the Camino de Santiago routes, the French Way is the most popular one. Where to fly to start Camino a Muxia?Santiago-Rosalade Castro Airportin Santiago de Compostela, RELATED READ: Packing list Camino de Santiago. hi! We begin our journey in Europes culinary capital, San Sebastin, home of some of the worlds best restaurants. To many people, this is the Camino de Santiago, a time-honored penitential route and a demanding challenge requiring both mental and physical stamina. Youre not as concerned with the social aspect or what food might be on offer. The Camino del Norte is a great option for you and is considered the most difficult of the routes due to its multiple ascents and descents. The Via de la Plata is formed by the road that follows the yellow arrows next to the green and yellow, or yellow, tiles. This did not be the case before Why do many Asians (Koreans?) Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far. What inspired you? We will be pleased to help you choose the right Camino de Santiago route for you. 1. Your age is perfect to walk a Camino, most of our pilgrims are in their 50s and 60s and they enjoy both French and Northern Route with absolutely no problems. All of our Caminos include high quality accommodations were you can enjoy your own private room and bathroom. what is the nearest international airport at the end of the pilgrimage where we can fly out to Asia? Thank you! Looking for the Camino de Santiago route that would suit you the best? So sorry to read about losing your dear friend. CP (tbc) Mar 5, 2017. 28020, Madrid, Espaa. our only dates are 15.10-25.10, and were wondering what will be the best route for us. No problem. As it is the longest of all Camino de Santiago routes, not many pilgrims walk it; which makes it perfect for those looking for an almost private experience. This Camino de Santiago route was historically taken by pilgrims coming to Santiago de Compostela from France. Yes, please! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Content Marketing Specialist Sarah hails from Irelands Sunny South East. Welcome to the Camino community. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Walking the Camino in July and August. Our dates are from 13 Sept to 20th Sept. We have tickets coming in to Lisbon on the 12th of September and can go to Porto the next day to further go to Oia for starting the walk the next day. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. It would be great if you could have 3 star or above rated accommodations. Best lightweight guides during and after your Camino, just 1.4 oz (40 grams) each! Lots of variables to consider. Cycling the Camino will give you both an adrenaline rush and a serious leg workout. This was the first Camino de Santiago route ever walked. This route, longer than some options of the Portuguese Way, starts at Irn and takes you along the coast. You can unsubscribe at any time. Coastal Camino de Santiago del Norte (the Northern Way) which follows the coast of Northern Spain is the most beautiful Camino de Santiago route and one of the most difficult Camino routes. This is the oldest of the Camino routes and was first walked by King Alfonso II in the 9th century. But, you might enjoy some other Camino de Santiago routes. In Seville go to Seville Cathedral to get your pilgrims passport (credentials). If you want to try some of the most amazing food in the world, go to the North of Spain. These summer months see the Caminos at their busiest. Fabiola. Be seduced by all that Spain has to offer with these top itineraries. Im a priest. In the meantime, Buen Camino! There are direct daily buses from the airport to Irun. The starting point of the French way is traditionally Saint Jean Pied de Port. Can you suggest something for us? Camino de Santiago trails. Learn more about our Privacy Policy. I cant imagine how good it must feel to travel alone through the Spanish plain, it must even transport you to the past, an excellent guide for everyone! Camino del Norte (the Northern Way) Camino Primitivo (the Original Way) Camino Finisterre-Muxa. The 7 most popular Camino routes are arranged according to their popularity. Multiple guidebooks also cover this route. Everyone will help you. So, indeed , you would need to wait until June to get a favorable weather for walking Camino del Norte. Ask yourself, how many miles a day do you think you're able to walk? Pingback: Cocido Maragato, conoce el plato tpico del camino. If you like this route, it is better to avoid July and August. Enough people to keep it interesting. It has a route close to the north of the peninsula . Would you like to have a social experience, to learn about new cultures and to enjoy beautiful landscapes? Hi, Marcie, thank you for writing. Therefore, this Camino de Santiago de Compostela route is recommended for first-time Camino goers. Ideally we will have 4 weeks and I think the French way is for us as we have not done it before we will be 50 yo and would like to meet other people along the way but want our privacy at night. I think any choice you make will be a good one. This Camino de Santiago path goes along the coast of northern Spain from the Basque Country via Cantabria, Asturias to inland Galicia. France to the Ocean. Hi Nuphar, thank you so much for writing, our Camino planners will contact you very soon with all the information regarding your Camino. Easy Camino Portugues From Vigo to Santiago This route is ideal for pilgrims who want to take their time on a relaxing walk along the beautiful Portuguese coast. It is a long way from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela. Hi there! El Camino is truly a unique experience :). Do you want to be added to our mailing list as well? Self Guided Walking tours of the Camino de Santiago, Cocido Maragato, conoce el plato tpico del camino, Tips for Women Walking Alone on the Camino de Santiago, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a MUST see in Santiago, Seven key-tips to enjoy the Routes of Santiago de Compostela, Top 10 Mountain Bike Trails around the World | MTB Lab. Which Camino route is the most beautiful? But you can charge your phone in coffee bars in villages on your route when you make breaks for breakfast or lunch. Have you already walked the Camino Frances and Portugues? I am interested in a short version of the Camino such as these. Nevertheless, the most important thing is to plan the stages you want to walk based on your physical limitations and the amount of time that you want to spend on your pilgrimage. Both the French and North Routes are beautiful but each one is unique, so your choice will depend a little bit on what is more important for you. Challenging Camino Via de La Plata (the Silver Way) is recommended for solitude seekers and history buffs. Im not a super experienced hiker, but I enjoy and plan to get better over the next few months. I walked the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago during what is expected to be a record-breaking year for pilgrims. This Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route is one of the most difficult Camino de Santiago routes (along with Camino Primitivo). This route starts in St. Jean Pied de Port in France and ends in Santiago, which takes approximately 40 days to complete. which of these is the best to travel in those date? Traveled by around 20,000 people a year, the Northern Way parallels Spains north coast for over 600km/373mifrom Irn on the French border to Ribadeo, then heads inland across Galicia to Santiago de Compostela. All rights reserved 2021 Marly Camino S.L. The point for us is to enjoy it more than having to walk a certain amount. Where to fly to start Camino Primitivo?Asturias International Airport. use transportation for some of the stages of the Camino. Theres also a much more active nightlife along these routes, particularly the Camino Frances, so you wont be short of potential new friends! But only one person in five does the full distance from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, so the bulk of this camino is less busy than you might imagine. Honestly, for this one, the simple answer is all. Stage 1: Sarria - Portomarn (22 km) Stage 2: Portomarn - Palas del Rei (24 km) Regarding weather, we recommend the spring or fall seasons when the temperatures are mild. Categories SPAIN, HIKING, SPIRITUAL TRAVEL. All Rights Reserved. We have a dedicated Camino for Families page with all the information you could need ahead of a walking or cycling trip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We want an easy route thinking the camino Frances? The Andalusian Camino, designed by Marly Camino, includes many of the best stages of the Via de la Plata. Thanks for your help You traverse isolated stone-built villages and sizeable cities like Pamplona, Burgos and Len, many of them full of camino history, from ancient stone bridges to huge medieval cathedrals. You can always choose the route and the stages that best suit you and define the distance to be walked every day and what to see. kindly give me some more details, like places to stay for the night (pre-booked? A route for everyone The Portuguese Way, second-busiest of the Caminos de Santiago, runs more than 600km (373mi) from Lisbon to Santiago (about 3 weeks), but the most popular starting points are the enticing city of Porto in northern Portugal (some 240km/149mi from Santiago, about 10 days) and Tui, where the route enters Spain (115km/71mi). THIS POST MAYCONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. Additionally, the hot weather can be hard to tolerate, making the hike even harder. Andalucia with its incredible history, heritage, and a mix of different cultures is a rich source of inspiration. The beautiful vineyards, the beauty of the route and crossing the border between Portugal and Spain on foot has made the Portuguese Way the second most popular option of the Camino de Santiago routes. In fact, nearly half of Camino Francs travelers begin at Sarria, just 114km (71mi) before Santiago a modest Galician town that just happens to be the last starting point that meets the minimum 100km (62mi) requirement for obtaining the official Camino de Santiago certificate, the Compostela. It takes only 5 days to hike Camino Inglese. If beer and tapas are more up your street, then consider the Camino Mozarabe. The Camino Primitivo (Original Way), some 320km/199mi long, follows the footsteps of the first recorded pilgrimage to St James tomb made by King Alfonso II of Asturias from Oviedo in the 820s. Many Norte walkers are looking for a less-traveledalternative to the Camino Francs.
