Pilgrimage

Hiking on Spanish trails to Santiago de Compostela

"El Camino francais", emanating from St. Jean Pied de Port in France is the major and most famous trail with 800 kilometres magnificent scenery and sometimes quite challenging with it high hills and deep valleys. "El Camino portogués" through Portugal, close to the coastline, is another popular camino. Silver Road, "Via del Plata" stretches from Seville in Andalusia. "El Camino del norte" offers a very beautiful hike along the Spanish north coast. El Camino Francia, the pilgrim “high way” from southwest France to Santiago de Compostela in north western Spain.

These trails have attracted walkers since 813 years back, when a tomb said to contain the remains of the apostle Saint Jacob were discovered in the area.

Pilgrim Walkers today are probably longing more for inner peace, beautiful scenery and great wines then forgiveness for their sins. The north Spanish caminos are said to be the Europeans women's favourite hikes.

Walkers of El Camino will always graciously be welcomed in the small hostels or Refugio, shelters, which are in villages and small towns along the route. They offer good food and accommodation of varying standards, from beautiful single rooms to large dormitories where you can share the room with several others, in some cases even hundreds of pilgrims.

Tips for your walk to Santiago de Compostela:

TIP #1 • Getting there. A pilgrimage can start from many different places and locations. "El camino francais," the French connection, is the most famous hiking trail. The approximately eighty kilometres long trail begins at St. Jean Pied de Port in France. Common starting points for hikers who don’t want to spend the whole summer on the trails, is Asteorga or Leon.

TIP # 2 • La compostelana. Remember to pick up a Pilgrim passport at the start. With the passport you can collect stamps along the way. Stamps showing that you have walked at least 100 kilometres entitle you to "La compostelana", the Pilgrim Certificate.

TIP # 3 • Speak some Spanish. Learn some Spanish. In rural areas and smaller towns people rarely understand English. A phrase dictionary and a few words and phrases by heart will help a lot.

TIP # 4 • Refugio. Hostels along the trails are normally open from June to late October. There is a variety of standard and prices. Expect from € 3 to up to € 12. Some are free, but you donate a few euros for your stay. These special Pilgrim hostels are called Refugio.

TIP # 5 • can’t be booked. In some places, the hostels will be filled up quickly. Normally it’s not possible to book in advance. Bring your sleeping bag and earplugs and be prepared to stay "anywhere".

TIP # 6 • Cash is king. Cash money is necessary. In many places along the way it’s not possible to use a credit card. You will find an ATM in most major towns along the route.

TIP # 7 • Rain protection. Rain is not uncommon in the northern Spanish mountains. Rain jacket or poncho is a necessity. The poncho can be an advantage if you do not have a backpack protection.

TIP # 8 • Sun and heat. Strong sunshine and high temperatures are most common at El Camino. Drink a lot, especially water, but also soft drinks for energy's sake. You need sunscreen type 20-30+, hat and lip protection with sunscreen.

TIP # 9 • Toilet paper. Always bring your own toilet paper.

TIP # 10 • Food and money. Expect minimum €20-25 per day. Lodging, breakfast, snacks, drinks and a hearty Pilgrim menu in the evening.

TIP # 11 • Too much I. Remove 25 percent of the stuff you first wanted to include in your luggage. Toiletries and other small articles can also be purchased in almost any village any time you pass on your way to Santiago de Compostela. Always make place for a couple of water bottles.

TIP # 12 • Too much II. In some post offices in the area you will find special Pilgrim stations where you can send away superfluous things to a poste restante address in Santiago de Compostela. Good for those who like to pack a little too much "good-to-have-stuff" turning out to be not so good to have.

TIP # 13 • Cell phone. Either leave your cell phone at home so you wont be disturbed during your meditative journey. There is coverage in much of the Camino area. For economic reasons, it is smart to use the short messages service function.

TIP # 14 • Camping. The rules for camping can vary depending on which region of Spain you are in. But putting up your tent for a night is normally accepted and okay. However, it is common practice to go a bit away from the trail, at least so far that the tent is not visible from the trail.