The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrimage routes dating back many hundreds of years. The idea is that it leads to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, which is the remains of St James the Apostle.
For centuries, people from all walks of life have been drawn to these trails. In 2023, a record-breaking 446,035 pilgrims completed their trek to Santiago. Many of these organise the trip through Santiago Ways, so they can have the official route organized for them and receive a certificate. But how many are there, and how do you decide on which one is best for you?
Main Camino de Santiago Routes
The Camino offers seven main routes. Many of these look long, but to get a certificate, you can still just complete a portion of them.
– Camino Francés: The most popular route, covering 790 km from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago.
– Camino Portugués: The second most popular route, with two paths starting in Porto—the Central route (260 km) and the Coastal route (280 km).
– Camino del Norte: An 825 km trail along Spain’s northern coast, beginning in Irún.
– Camino Primitivo: A rugged 321 km route from Oviedo, known as one of the oldest paths.
– Via de la Plata: The longest Camino route, covering 1000 km from Seville.
– Camino Inglés: A shorter, 120 km path from either A Coruña or Ferrol.
– Camino Finisterre-Muxía: A unique 115 km journey that begins in Santiago and heads toward the coast.
In 2023, Camino Francés was the most popular route and it accounted for around half of all pilgrims.
Lesser-Known Camino Routes
Beyond the main routes, there are several lesser-known Camino paths. These are often quieter, which may be good or bad depending on what you’re looking to get out of the trip.
– Camino de Madrid: A 320 km route that begins in Spain’s capital, Madrid, and connects with the Camino Francés in Sahagún.
– Camino del Ebro: This 220 km path follows the Ebro River from Tortosa, where it eventually joins the Camino Francés.
– Camino de Levante: A challenging 725 km journey from Valencia or Cartagena to Zamora, where it meets the Vía de la Plata.
However, there are even some official Camino de Santiago routes in the rest of Europe, such as Scotland, dubbed Celtic Camino and Camino Ingles. Although they have alternate histories, you can still qualify for a Compostela certificate. When it comes to what exact number of routes there are, there isn’t an official consensus.
Choosing a Camino Route
When trying to narrow down which Camino route to undertake, consider these factors:
– Time Available: Routes range from 120 km to over 1000 km, so the time you can dedicate will help narrow your options.
– Physical Fitness: Some paths are more demanding than others, and some are more quiet and rural too. The most popular ones generally have more amenities along the way.
– Desired Experience: Each route offers different landscapes, culture and varying levels of solitude/camaraderie.
– Season: Certain routes have limited services during the off-season, which can impact your journey.
For planning, there are official websites and guidebooks, but it may also be worth considering an organizer like Santiago Ways, who provide you with a route and book your accommodation for you.
It’s a good idea to research thoroughly and, if possible, ask experienced pilgrims before making your choice.
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