Camino de Santiago routes: Find the right route for your pilgrimage

Is a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela on your bucket list? Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a newcomer to the Camino de Santiago, here you’ll find out how to plan your Camino route properly and what you mustn’t forget to pack.

Grab your backpack and get your walking socks on.

The Way of St James or Ways of St James: what routes are there?

The Way of St James, also known as Camino de Santiago, is not a single route, but a network of pilgrimage routes stretching across the whole of Europe, all leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain.

You can choose your starting point from almost any major town or city in Europe. There are even stages that start right on your doorstep, such as on the Palatinate Way of St James or other German sections.

The reasons for going on a pilgrimage are as varied as the routes themselves: spiritual or religious motivation, coming to terms with personal setbacks, discovering culture and countryside – or simply the desire to slow down.

An overview of the four main routes

How do I want to travel: on foot, by bike or with a dog?

Walking creates the deepest connection with the landscape and the cultural treasures along the way. It is the option that most pilgrims choose.

How far can I walk in a day?

The duration varies depending on your pace; you’ll usually need four to six weeks for the entire Camino Francés. This main route stretches for just under 800 kilometres from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela. It became well known in Germany mainly through Hape Kerkeling’s book “Ich bin dann mal weg".

Along the way yellow arrows, the distinctive scallop shell and prominent stones mark the route. A good starting point is around 15 kilometres a day. This gives your body time to adjust. Later on, you can gradually increase your distance up to around 35 kilometres.

Find accommodation along the route

There are several options when looking for accommodation. You can book in advance via popular booking portals or just go with the flow and enquire spontaneously at the official pilgrim hostels. You’ll almost always find a place to sleep.

During the peak season between June and September, it’s worth booking accommodation, at least for the final stages before Santiago, as many routes converge there.

How much does the Camino de Santiago cost?

The costs vary depending on your budget and expectations. At the lower end of the scale, the Camino is one of the cheapest long-distance walks in Europe.

Official pilgrim hostels with dormitories and bunk beds are the classic low-budget choice. For greater comfort, there are accommodation options in all price ranges, right up to hotel rooms.

To foster a sense of community, some hostels and private individuals along the route offer food and drink in exchange for a voluntary donation. These so-called ‘donativos’ rely on everyone giving what they can.

Packing for the Camino de Santiago: the essentials

Every gram counts. A tried-and-tested rule of thumb is that your luggage shouldn’t weigh more than ten per cent of your body weight to avoid overexertion. So, if you weigh 70 kilograms, that’s a maximum of seven kilos.

Why three sets of clothes? One to wear, one to dry and one as a spare, in case you don’t fancy doing a wash in the evening. And your feet won’t want to be stuck in your walking boots all day – they’ll be glad to get some air now and then.

What should I do if I can’t carry heavy loads?

If you’ve overestimated your stamina, you can use the luggage transport service. The service takes your rucksack from one accommodation to the next, so you only need to walk with a day rucksack. You can book it directly at the hostels along the route, usually from one day to the next.

Everything you need to know about the pilgrim’s passport

The pilgrim’s passport, the Credencial, is a key item on your route. You can get it for a small donation from the St James’s societies before you set off – or on the spot at major pilgrimage sites such as Porto, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Sarria.

The pilgrim’s passport not only gives you access to the official hostels, but also connects you to a long-standing tradition.

How to get your Compostela

To receive the Compostela – the pilgrim’s certificate – at the end of your journey, you must have covered a minimum distance:

• 100 kilometres on foot
• 200 kilometres by bike
• 100 nautical miles by boat

Over the final 100 kilometres, you’ll collect at least two different stamps every day. Getting the same stamp twice – for example, from your accommodation in the evening and again in the morning – doesn’t count. But that’s no problem: you can get stamps everywhere along the route, in churches, cafés, restaurants and hostels.

Route planners, apps and travel guides

Perfect planning depends on three things: the route, accommodation and the weather. There are digital tools to help with all three.

The best guidebooks for the Camino de Santiago

If you prefer to read a book, here are three tried-and-tested titles for the Camino Francés:

• Kompass Walking Guide: The Way of St James in Spain, Camino Francés: featuring an extra route map, a comprehensive cartographic overview and a free GPX data download.
• Camino Francés, Outdoor Travel Guide: the classic yellow guide with a personal touch. It presents the route without predefined stages, so you can adapt it on the fly.
• Camino Francés, Rother Walking Guide: clear stage breakdown with elevation charts. The right choice if you like to plan systematically.

Your Camino route: Off to Santiago

Whichever route you choose, the journey along the Way of St James will be an unforgettable experience. Ultimately, the only important thing is that the route suits your schedule, your fitness level and the reason for your trip.

So lace up your walking boots and get ready. Your Camino awaits you. Buen Camino!

Frequently asked questions about the Camino de Santiago