Camino de Santiago, or St James Way, is one of the most famous long-distance hiking and pilgrimage routes. Sine you said, your friend was a true hiker, I believe he would have enjoyed Camino Primitivo which goes through hills of Asturias and Galicia. It is a well-marked route whose yellow arrows will take you through villages, towns and historical cities. This will be our first time walking the camino (50 yrs old) and want to do the northern route, over 1.5 months, to avoid the crowds and enjoy the scenery. 2nd ed. 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). 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. You will begin in France, cross the Pyrenees, enter Spain, and make your way to Santiago. This route has very diverse landscapes, but the number of pilgrims that you will find here is substantially lower than in the French way. Looking for beautiful scenery,quaint accommodations and good food. Many walkers will be seeking out less frequented alternatives to the classic Camino Francs. Youll also receive updates about new stuff on this website approximately every 3 weeks. Hi Nuphar, thank you so much for writing, our Camino planners will contact you very soon with all the information regarding your Camino. 28020, Madrid, Espaa. Two weeks of gorgeous green countryside;relatively tough. If you are a photography enthusiast, you will enjoy taking pictures of very different landscapes every day. Thank you in advance! And if the tile is green and yellow, the road is passable and belongs to the original roadway. This Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route is one of the most difficult Camino de Santiago routes (along with Camino Primitivo). Pilgrims would come from across the sea and arrive into the port of Ferrol, from where they would make their way to Santiago de Compostela, covering a total distance of 120kms. Required fields are marked *. Last year I walked Via de la Plata from Salamanca to Santiago from the end of May until the end of June. kindly give me some more details, like places to stay for the night (pre-booked? If you're walking the last 100-150 kms of any camino route, it is often easiest to fly to and from Santiago de Compostela. If so, let me help you to find the best Camino de Santiago route for you. Otherwise, if you really want to challenge yourself and you have the time to spare, we'd definitely recommend giving one of the full Camino routes a go. Fly to Biarritz-Pays BasqueAirport and then take a bus from the airport to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. our only dates are 15.10-25.10, and were wondering what will be the best route for us. But then - telephone charging, snacks or meals on the way - are there places to stop buy for this in de Plata? Why dont you join the Gulf coast Camino group in Houston? You are using an out of date browser. Ideally I would love to find a path where I run into people regularly but have times of solitude as well. It is a pleasure to greet you and thank you for your interest. Learn the best ways to get around the city, whether youre looking for speedy service, eco-friendly travel or transport that offers panoramic views. Camino frances (The French Way) is by far the busiest route. You'll have to walk more than 20 km a day if you want to finish in 2 weeks. Top 12 Camino de Santiago Routes: Best Camino Route in 2023 hi! 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. The Primitive Way is the oldest of all the Camino de Santiago routes. Multiple guidebooks also cover this route. The 7 main Camino de Santiago routes - STINGY NOMADS Appreciation and I am looking forward to open my winds wide and high <3 Finally, the jewel of the crown, the Camino del Norte. By checking this box you agree to receiving emails and promotions from Marly Camino. Which is the best Camino route? Camino Frances has also the best infrastructure (many pilgrims hostels, bars, restaurants, shops along the route)of all of the Camino de Santiago routes. This route starts in St. Jean Pied de Port in France and ends in Santiago, which takes approximately 40 days to complete. Im not a super experienced hiker, but I enjoy and plan to get better over the next few months. It is recommended for nature lovers and foodies.Hilly Camino de Santiago Primitivo (the Primitive Way) is recommended for nature lovers and true hikers. Granada and Cordoba are some of the popular starting points of Camino Mozarabe as well. For some people, it was a movie, a book, a friends story about their Camino experience or a profound desire to become a pilgrim. 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. use transportation for some of the stages of the Camino. 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. There are dozens of other established routes from all over Spain, from Portugal, France and even beyond. We are both in our mid 60s, but consider ourselves in fairly good shape. Camino de Santiago - the last 100 km (different routes) - STINGY NOMADS Take note that the paths will likely be more crowded than ever and plan ahead with this handy guide to the most popularCamino de Santiago routes, making sure you're able to choose the right one for you in 2022. How long is the Camino from Porto to Santiago? Two models, one from Castilla & Leon and the other from Galicia. If you take some great photos on your travels, tag us on Instagram so we can see and share your wonderful adventure with fellow pilgrims! In the meantime, Buen Camino! Camino San Salvador: Fly into Madrid and take the high speed train AVE to Len - takes just under two hours Granja de Morerula is also 30 min by bus from Zamora, and Zamora is only 1 h by train from Madrid. Pingback: Top 10 Mountain Bike Trails around the World | MTB Lab, Hi, would love information on an self walking tour for my 60th birthday. CICMA 3031 Travel Agency (as required by law). Camino Frances is a synonym for Camino de Santiago, although it is not the oldest route (the oldest Camino de Santiago route is Camino Primitivo from Oviedo). Some towns, like Sarria, live almost solely from the pilgrims, so they take great pride in their hospitality. From Porto, youll need about two weeks to walk it. we thought about starting the camino frances from Saint Jean Pied de Port and walk to logrono (we dont mind not going all the way to santiago, due to time limit), or camino portugese, or camino de norte. I have never walked the Camino. Hello! The caminos mentioned in this article are just the most popular ones. This was the first Camino de Santiago route ever walked. Required fields are marked *. Regarding weather, we recommend the spring or fall seasons when the temperatures are mild. It owes its name to medieval pilgrims from Britain, Ireland and other northern locations, who would sail to ports like Ferrol then complete their journey to Santiago overland. Camino Frances Route | French Way | Follow the Camino Im now on the central Portugus. By checking this box you agree to receive emails and promotions from Marly Camino. I am unable to do it any other time as have three weeks in between jobs. You may see the blue ocean and green forests at the same time in many places. A popular variant, starting from Porto, is the Camino Portugus de la Costa (Portuguese Coastal Way) running close to the beach-strung Atlantic coast. 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. Hi Fabiola, its a pleasure to greet you, one of our Camino designers will contact you in no time, with all the information and Camino suggestions. All of our Caminos include high quality accommodations were you can enjoy your own private room and bathroom. which of these is the best to travel in those date? Welcome to the Camino community. It is a moderately challenging hiking trail (more difficult than Camino Frances for instance). April is a great month to start walking Camino Via de la Plata. Hi there myself and my husband would like Camino Ingelse goes only across Galicia. nuphar. Walking the Camino de Santiago and Planning for the Laugavegur Trail: What to Expect Physically. Can you advise on what you think would be best in terms of weather, terrain, albergues and so on? The Andalusian Camino, designed by Marly Camino, includes many of the best stages of the Via de la Plata. The North Way is the third most popular route. Andalucias tapas portions are unparalleled and you could have your entire dinner portion served up to you for the price of a beer! While walking the Camino Mozarabe, make sure you dont miss the Alhambra in Granada and the visually stunning Mosque-Cathedral in Cordoba. You might also like:Hiking the Kumano Kod: Japan's ancient pilgrimage routeBest foot forward: hiking your way around the worldThe world's walking routes with the most traffic on Instagram. France ( 2020) May 4, 2019. Interested in hiking Camino de Santiago in Spain? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. #15. Know what I mean? Take a look at our Camino de Santiago Routesto choose your favourite or select one from one of the other interests listed above. Lonely Planet recommends that travelers always check with local authorities for up-to-date guidance beforetraveling during Covid-19. Have an amazing day, Buen Camino! Enough people to keep it interesting. Its similar in length but was used by far fewer pilgrims in medieval times, as is the case today. Additionally, if this is a concern for you, you may want to do Camino with a company that can pick you up with their private vehicle in case you need to stop and be picked up at any point (such as Marly Camino). In 2016 I busted my little toe (in flip flops of course) bumping into the curb in SdC so I couldn't walk long stages and that's why I stayed in every available albergue on the Ingles. This way is probably the easiest regarding ascends and descends from all the Caminos, making it easy on your knees. What about weather at that time of years. Best for historic hills & family road trips Oakhurst-Nevada City; 200 miles. 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. Where to fly to start Camino Portuguese Central?Lisbon International Airport. Is it safe to do de Plata with very basic Spanish language? This route offers the green and beautiful landscapes of the Basque Country and the possibility of seeing the very cosmopolitan cities of San Sebastian and Bilbao. Area: Begins in St Jean Pied-du-Port in France but is mostly in Spain Difficulty: Medium. Camino de Santiago del Norte is the most scenic route that goes across long sandy beaches, breathtaking sea cliffs, pristine green hills, vast vineyards, charming fishing villages, pretty tourist seaside towns, picturesque medieval towns, and gorgeous cities (like San Sebastian, and Bilbao). Once youve confirmed youre-mail address, youll receive a link to download the Phrasebook. Camino del Norte (the Northern Way) Camino Primitivo (the Original Way) Camino Finisterre-Muxa. Theres also a much more active nightlife along these routes, particularly the Camino Frances, so you wont be short of potential new friends! Pingback: Tips for Women Walking Alone on the Camino de Santiago, Pingback: Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a MUST see in Santiago. If you like this route, it is better to avoid July and August. Therefore, this Camino de Santiago de Compostela route is recommended for first-time Camino goers. Do you want to be added to our mailing list as well? Time of past OR future Camino. Camino Portuguese is an ideal route for a first Camino walk. Do you want to meet new people and explore new places with them? document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); [emailprotected] Fabiola. . For example, in Zamora, you can choose whether to go north to meet the French Way at Astorga, or to go northwest through Ourense and head directly to Santiago. Home to both Michelin star dining and more casual fare, as well as seafood and everything in between, you wont want to miss the food here. If you are interested in walking the full French way, Marly Camino has our Camino Plus: The French Camino from Roncesvalles option that covers 146 miles. However, you would need to wait until June to get a favorable weather for walking Camino del Norte and Camino Primitivo. 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. One night in an ancient convent with sixty middle-aged and tired out men lying on their backs in bunks within 20 metres of you will teach you this. we will be traveling in the summer as 2 of my children are teachers. There are a few longish stretches of road walking. Thank you, Hey, want would be the best route to travel with my 4legged friend, Your email address will not be published. Camino Frances: the well-known one. The most popular Camino de Santiago route is Camino Frances (the French Way) which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Basque country in France. You will walk through French villages, the amazing Pyrenees, Navarra villages, the amazing vineyards of La Rioja, the central plateau in Castilla and, in the end, you will arrive in Galicia. Three or four additional days to Fisterra or Muxa (four to six days for both places) can be the perfect coda to your odyssey. This route takes you through peaceful forests that wrap you in vivid greenery, rich farmlands, and lovely historic towns with plenty of stories to tell. The Portuguese Camino has two routes that the majority of pilgrims walk: the coastal route and the central route. Im not young but pretty decent shape since I bike like crazy. Ive hiked Camino del Norte, Camino Via de La Plata from Salamanca via Camino Sanabres, and Camino a Finistere. Ending in Santiago is not a priority, especially since the original cathedral is closed; Id just love a week of amazing views, being outdoors with good food. The key is in the name with the Camino Primitivo. Id recommend the Portuguese Way as its not steep at all. 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. Therefore, it is recommended to watch El Camino right after finishing Breaking Bad as the movie serves as an epilogue to the show. If youre more interested in cycling rather than walking, you can choose from five of our Camino routes and from as short a trip as 3 days. It is said that a knight covered in shells emerged from the sea, between the coast of Porto and Vigo, which later started the tradition. We are looking for beautiful views, quant villages, delicious food and maybe lots of options to stop for a rest, food, hotels. Starting from Lisbon, the route is relatively flat and covers 385 miles with incredible scenery along the way. Not only are the trials crowded with both hikers as well as tourists, but the cafes, restaurants and albergues are full. We have started training and are up to walking around 20 Kms at the moment. Check out my overview of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes. what is the nearest international airport at the end of the pilgrimage where we can fly out to Asia? It goes through some of the most beautiful places in Portugal and runs along the Atlantic Ocean coastline. 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. For example: Buen Camino, Buen Camino Lite, Camino Plus and if you want to truly see the beauty of Galicia, starting at Len, please check outThe Camino from Len to Santiago:The Galician Splendor. However, the most popular section to walk is the last 110km from Sarria. No problem. Some of our most popular ones are: The classic last 100km of the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago . Good luck fellow Texan. If you love taking photos of the sunset though, then you cant miss the Camino Finisterre, once believed to be the end of the world and the perfect spot to watch the sun slowly set over the Atlantic. The Northern Route is a 164-kilometer journey is divided into 11 delightful walking stages and includes visits to amazing sites like the Guggenheim Museum, the Beach of the Cathedrals and the Caves of Altamira. Historically this Camino de Santiago route was related to Templar knights. It follows the sea route once favored by pilgrims traveling to Galicia from Scandinavia, the Baltics, Northern France, and above all from England and Ireland. Usually, albergues are 25 km (15 miles) apart from each other, so it is best to plan each stage carefully. The famous pilgrims symbol has its origins on this Camino de Santiago route. Passing through Porto and Pontevedra, it is filled with spectacular scenery. The easiest way to get to Oviedo, which is the beginning of the Camino Primitivo, is by flying into the Asturias Airport. 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! They are abit more fit. 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. If your main source of joy on a holiday comes from experiencing all the delicious food on offer, then youre definitely a foodie. Wed like to be able to take our time, being able to linger in places we might find charming. The best time to walk the Camino de Santiago - TourRadar Bradypus said: The last 100km of the Camino Frances, the Primitivo from Lugo, the Camino Ingles, the Portugues from Tui, or the route from Fisterra to Santiago are all fairly straightforward without any big physical challenges. Camino Portugues Coastal Way Walk along the Atlantic coast on an interesting variation of the Camino Portuguese central route. Will this route be too difficult for us and what is the weather like in May/June? It is one of our most exclusive tours! We are all walkers and range in ages 65 to 75. Camino Portuguese da Costa, Camino Portuguese Coastal, or Camino Portugues de la Costa, goes from Porto via Tui to Santiago. The Camino Portugues Coastal Route | Routes, Stages & Maps [Guide] The Camino Francs is the most popular route of the Camino de Santiago.