Practical Tips For The Camino de Santiago

Written on April 21, 2008 by Tezza

The idea of pilgrimage is hardly a recent phenomenon. It has been going on for thousands of years and many different religions have their own pilgrimage traditions. The Camino de Santiago in modern day times attracts people from all walks of life, ages and religious affiliations. They come for a myriad of personal reasons and you will find religious reasons are now not as common as they once were. If you’re planning a pilgrimage to Santiago then here are a few practical considerations to think about to ensure your experience is memorable for all the right reasons.

To Go Alone Or With Someone

The great debate for any traveller is whether to go alone or with someone. In Winter Camino you will find many pilgrims go it alone as they are in search of answers or just for practical reasons. Summer pilgrimage brings in large crowds of people across Europe on holidays and you’ll find more groups on the Camino. Whether you go with someone or by yourself is a personal decision.

One consideration to keep in mind is that it is important to find someone who has a similar walking speed as you otherwise you will find you’re having to strain yourself to keep up which inevitably results in blisters and pain. The great thing about the Camino is that you are never alone and it is still very safe even for solo female pilgrims.

Speaking The Language

Being well versed in Spanish before beginning your Camino is hugely advantageous. Most people, particularly in Northern Spain do not speak English. But more importantly being able to speak Spanish enables you to enjoy a much richer experience of the Camino since it affords you the wonderful opportunity to speak to the many friendly locals you meet along the way. Don’t wait till the last moment to cram in a Spanish course, get started as soon as you are serious about your trip to Spain.

Where To Start

The most popular route to Santiago is the French Way. While there are many route options to choose from beginning anywhere from Portugal, France and in various locations throughout Northern Spain the French Way is the most wildly known and provides the best infrastructure for pilgrims. Popular starting points on the French route are St Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles and Pamplona. All these locations can be reached quite easily by train or bus from any major airport. These above mentioned starting points will take you somewhere in the vicinity of 4-5 weeks to walk to Santiago. If you have less time available then consider starting at a city closer to Santiago or to undertake your pilgrimage over several years as many people do.

Your Belongings On Your Back

However much stuff you decide to bring is largely a personal choice and in the end you are going to be the one carrying it for every kilometre. Just remember that the heavier your backpack the more strain you put on your body which is fine when you are walking for a day or two but it really becomes a physical burden when you are repeating your strenuous walks daily for several weeks. A rule of thumb most people seem to subscribe to is carrying a load no greater than 10kg. Others suggest limiting your backpack weight to around 10% of your body weight.

Where To Sleep At Night

If you’re staying in the Albergues provided along the route, don’t be expecting anything fancy.  While accommodation standards and facilities vary greatly between Municipal, monasteries, church or private run Albergues it’s still safe to say that they are a far cry from a hotel. If you have in your possession a Pilgrim’s credential you can stay a maximum of one night in an Albergue.

The Albergues are dormitory style accommodations, usually with rooms filled with bunk beds and a shared bathroom. Many private Albergues have started to open up as the popularity of the French way continues to grow. Many provide better facilities for a higher price. Be prepared for the occasional cold shower and showers that don’t have any water pressure.

Preparation Before You Start

If you are like me and spend much of your weekdays sitting in front of a computer and driving everywhere then a little physical training is in order to maximise your enjoyment on the camino. You will be walking anywhere from 20km to 30km plus days for weeks on end with a loaded backpack. The terrain is often physically demanding even for the fittest of pilgrims so if your body isn’t conditioned to regular physical exertion you will find aches and pains are going to really hinder your progress.

It’s a good idea to buy your walking boots as early as possible and break them in. The more preparation you undertake before starting the less chance you will have to deal with blisters, which for many pilgrims is a real reality.

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Posted in Camino de Santiago, Travelling Tips