You recently learned about Camino de Santiago, and started to think about walking it… amazing! It’s a big idea, and I know you must have a million questions spinning around your head. Is it a hike? A pilgrimage? Will I be able to do it?

For over a thousand years, people have been walking this network of routes to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. However, as a beginner, the thought of planning a trip like this can be overwhelming. Don’t worry! This guide is here to clear things up.

I’ll walk you through your biggest questions. From what it actually is, and different routes to packing your bag, and more.

What Exactly Is The Camino De Santiago?

First things first, the basics: what actually is the Camino de Santiago? Often called the Way of St. James. It’s a huge network of old routes that Catholics used to do as a pilgrimage to the City of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. As the story says, the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried in the city’s cathedral. So, for a long time, people from all over the world have been making this journey for religious reasons.

Nowadays, the Camino de Santiago has evolved a lot. Welcoming people for all kinds of reasons that are as varied as the pilgrims themselves. While many people still do it for catholics or religious reasons, many others walk its trails to get some sort of spiritual growth, others for a physical challenge, and some others just want to unplug from their busy lives.

The Camino is usually a great way to experience the slow, simple rhythm of life on the trail.

Top Camino Routes For First-Time Pilgrims

So, with trails stretching across Europe, choosing your route can be the first huge decision, but in reality, it just comes down to what you’re looking for or what you’re expecting in your adventure. Ask yourself a few questions:

• How much time do you have available?
• What kind of scenery do you love the most?
• What kind of atmosphere do you want?

This is relevant because, for example, if you only have a week, then focusing on the final 100 kilometers of a main route will make sense. When it comes down to scenery, it will depend on what you like, and don’t worry, there sure is a route with views you enjoy. On the other hand, the atmosphere you want is key too, do you want a trail with people and a big social aspect? Then you should opt for popular trails like Camino Frances.

Now, for a beginner, two options are particularly great because they are well-maintained, clearly marked, and full of other people.

The most famous is the Camino Francés, or the French Way. This is the classic image of the Camino; it will take you from the Pyrenees mountains in France to Santiago, but while the full route is about a month-long, most first-timers start in the town of Sarria and walk the last 115 kilometers.

The other fantastic choice is the Camino Portugués, which starts in Portugal, and the final section from Tui is also about 115 kilometers and offers a slightly different feel, packed with hills and beautiful greenery.

Other routes, like the Camino Primitivo, are much quieter and more physically demanding, but offer a greater sense of solitude.

Getting Ready: Your Practical Preparation Guide

Now, before you head to your starting point, you need to know that organising a long-distance walk in a foreign country is complicated and often overwhelming due to the number of things you need to take care of, but fortunately, this is where a specialised agency can make everything simpler. Santiago Ways, which is a specialised agency that focuses entirely on the Camino de Santiago.

They have built a strong reputation for handling the logistical details, which lets you just focus on the walking. They work by booking your accommodation each night and arranging for your main luggage to be transported from one stop to the next.

This service turns the trip into a much more comfortable experience, as you can just focus on the trail. But don’t take my word for it; the real proof of any service is in the experience it provides, and this agency consistently receives positive reviews from pilgrims on platforms like TripAdvisor and Google Reviews.

After getting all details taken care of, you will still need a little bit of planning, or personal planning, as many people call it. Like deciding when to do the trip, the most pleasant times to walk are during the spring, from April to June, and the autumn, from September and October.

On the other hand, you’ll want to prepare your body before the trip. You don’t need to be an athlete, but getting used to walking day after day is key. So, start by taking regular weekend hikes in the shoes you plan to wear, and then increase the distance gradually.

Conclusion

So, remember that the Camino de Santiago is more than a long walk; it’s an experience that changes you and as a beginner, starting with a popular route and considering a helping hand with the logistics will be the best option since it can get complicated real fast, but whatever is the cas you’re up for one of the greatest adventures in life, one that challenges you.