Most pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago walk the Camino Francés from St. Jean Pied de Port in France, across the Pyrenees and through northern Spain to Santiago. But there are many different routes both first-timers and veterans can choose from.
Here are the most popular routes to walk a Camino to Santiago de Compostella.
Find useful links on transportation, accommodation and making your trip a success in this post.
Camino Francés
780 kms / 500 miles
Approx. duration: 35 days
Most popular, varied scenery, history, good infrastructure, social experience. Great for first-timers
Starts in: St.Jean Pied de Port, France.
Getting there: fly to Madrid. From Madrid:
(1) fly, bus or train to Pamplona. From Pamplona bus to St.Jean or Roncesvalles.
(2) fly or bus to Logroño
(3) bus or train to Burgos, León, Astorga or Ponferrada.
Alternatively, fly to Barcelona, then fly to León or train to Pamplona. Or fly to Pamplona, then bus to St.Jean.
Camino Portugués
600 kms / 370 miles
Approx. duration: 30 days
Second most popular route passes through vineyards, villages, towns and historical cities. Reasonable infrastructure.
Starts in: Lisbon (2 week version starts in Porto)
Getting there: fly to Lisbon (Air Canada, Transat). From Lisbon take the train or bus to Coimbra. Or fly to Porto (Air Canada, Transat) and take a train to Coimbra.
Camino Portugués - Coastal
265 kms / 165 miles
Approx. duration: 14 days
Offers solitude and nature, following boardwalks and coastal footpaths along nice beaches.
Starts in: Porto
Getting there: fly to Porto (Air Canada, Transat)
Camino del Norte
830 kms / 515 miles (to Santiago),
465 kms / 289 miles (to Oviedo)
Approx. duration: 37 days (to Santiago)
3rd Most popular, great scenery, food, cities & beaches. Joins Camino Primitivo in Oviedo
Starts in: Irun, Spain
Getting there: fly to Madrid. From Madrid:
(1) bus to Irún
(2) fly, bus / train to Bilbao or Santander
Camino Primitivo
321 kms / 200 miles
Approx. duration: 14 days
Original pilgrimage route & the most beautiful, challenging, and rewarding. Away from big cities and paved roads.
Starts in: Oviedo
Getting there: fly to Madrid. From Madrid:
(1) fly, train or bus to Oviedo
(2) fly to Asturias, taxi to Oviedo
Via de la Plata
1000 kms / 620 miles
Approx. duration: 44 days
Follows old Roman roads and tracks through vineyards, olive groves, meadows and forests. Roman history, variety of scenery and solitude.
Starts in: Seville, Spain
Getting there: fly to Madrid. From Madrid:
(1) fly or train to Seville
(2) train to Mérida
(3) train to Cáceres
(4) train or bus to Salamanca or Zamora
(5) train to Ourense.
Alternatively, fly to Barcelona, then to Seville.
Camino Mozárabe
406 kms / 252 miles
Approx. duration: 16 days
A route, first way-marked in 1999, which feeds into the Vía de la Plata at Mérida.
Starts in: Granada or Málaga, Spain
Getting there: fly to Madrid. From Madrid:
(1) fly or train to Málaga
(2) fly or bus to Granada
(3) train to Córdoba or Mérida.
Alternatively, fly to Barcelona and then to Malaga or Granada.
Camino Inglés
75 kms / 47 miles from A Coruña
112 kms / 70 miles from Ferroll
Approx. duration: 3 days (from A Coruña), 5 days (from Ferrol)
English pilgrims arriving by boat started their walk at A Coruña or Ferrol. Offers hilly coastlines, estuaries, wooded mountains, historic towns and villages. The 75km from A Coruña won't earn you a Compostela as it's under 100 kms / 62 miles.
Starts in: A Coruña or Ferrol
Getting there: fly to Madrid / Barcelona. Then (1) fly to A Coruña (2) bus A Coruña to Ferrol
Via Podiensis (Le Puy Route)
690 kms / 428 miles
Approx. duration: 37 days
Spectacular views, volcanic landscapes, nice countryside. Joins up with Camino Frances in St. Jean
Starts in: Le Puy en Velay, France
Getting there: fly to Paris, then train Lyon-St Étienne Châteaucreux- Le Puy.
Camino de Finisterre
55-85 kms / 34-53 miles
Approx. duration: 4 days
Walk from Santiago through green hills to Spain's most westerly point, Finisterre. A recommended extension to all Camino walks.
If you prefer to walk as part of a group, or prefer to have your accommodation pre-booked and luggage transferred, we can help. Please contact us.
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