How Long Is The Camino?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims pursue the Camino Francés each year, making this

491-mile

path the most popular and accomplished in the entire history of the Camino.

How far do you walk each day on the Camino?

Discover the unique and unforgettable experience of walking an ancient pilgrim route, the Unesco World Heritage Way of Saint James,’Camino de Santiago’. Average daily distance / climb:

12 miles (20 km) / 976 ft (298 m)

.

How long does it take to hike the entire Camino de Santiago?

Though some pilgrims complete the trail in as few as 20 days, most walk it in

four to six weeks

. And though it covers a great distance, its route is hardly remote, passing by budget-friendly accommodations nearly every five miles.

How long does it take to walk the Spanish Camino?

Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the walk should take you about

30 to 35 days

; in order to achieve this time, you would need to walk between 23 and 27 kilometers per day (14 to 16 miles). The Camino de Santiago is known in English as the Way of Saint James.

How fit do you need to be to walk the Camino de Santiago?


Any relatively fit person can walk the Camino

.

For those who are used to walking or hiking a lot, it’ll be easier. The important thing is that it’s absolutely doable. If for whatever reason you can’t or don’t want to walk for a month, choose a shorter one or walk the last 100km to Santiago on any Camino.

Which Camino route is the most beautiful?


Camino del Norte

. The Northern Way is arguably the most scenic, running along the Bay of Biscay coast from foodie San Sebastián, via Bilbao and Santander and an array of beautiful beaches, to Oviedo; from here you can join the Camino Primitivo to reach Santiago.

What is the best month to walk the Camino?


May-June and Sep

are the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago, as the weather is lovely, downpours less likely, and you’ll have plenty of company along the way – but it won’t be quite as crowded. Easter can be a busy time, too.

Where do you sleep on the Camino de Santiago?

In addition to municipal and private albergues, other places to stay on the Camino de Santiago include

pensiónes, hostales, casas rurales and hotels

. These options cost more than albergues, but you’ll get more privacy and comfort for your extra euros.

Is the Camino de Santiago difficult?

Average difficulty/success rate:

Camino Primitivo has its fair share of challenging climbs and descents as well as paved sections, making it a difficult route

. Still, if you take your time, the success rate is high.

What is the shortest Camino walk?

The shortest Camino walk is the route known as

the Camino Ingles

, in Northern Galicia. The Camino Ingles has, in fact, two official starting points: the port-cities of A Coruña and Ferrol, located 75km and 113kms away from Santiago, respectively.

Is 2021 a Holy Year?


The Holy Year, also called Jacobean Year (Xacobeo 2021), happens when the feast day of St. James, July 25th, falls on a Sunday

. This happens every 5, 6 or 11 years. The last Holy Year was 11 years ago in 2010 and after the 2021 holy year (and 2022 by extension), the next Holy years will be: 2027, 2032, 2038, 2049.

How long is the French way Camino?

The total distance of the French Way (from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela) is

780 km/484 mi

. The route goes through four Spanish regions; Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León, and Galicia. The Camino can be walked, cycled, or done on a horse.

How long does it take to walk 12 miles?

Miles Relaxed Pace Normal Pace 11 miles 3 hrs, 40 mins 2 hrs, 45 mins 12 miles

4 hrs


3 hrs
13 miles 4 hrs, 20 mins 3 hrs, 15 mins 14 miles 4 hrs, 40 mins 3 hrs, 30 mins

How many miles can you walk in a day?

A Healthy Person can walk around

20 miles

in a day. In a single day, you can walk 20 miles without any problems. This is about the same distance as a marathon race, and it’s a perfectly healthy thing for someone to do.

How do I prepare for the Camino de Santiago?

If you’re not already fit and active, it’s a good idea to

start your training several months ahead if possible

. This way, you can gradually increase your fitness levels and the distances you can cover. Set yourself a target of walking an average of 2 hours per day for at least 2 months prior to your Camino.

How difficult is the Camino Ingles?

Walking the Camino Ingles is

mildly challenging

. The whole camino can be done easily in 5 days from Ferrol and the second part is particularly beautiful as you will pass through less trafficked roads.

Do I need a sleeping bag on the Camino?

What is this? The Camino de Santiago is not your normal hike in the wild where you have to carry camping gear and food which is a good thing as it’s possible to pack light. Every night pilgrims stay at albergues, no tent and camping mat is needed,

all you need or we’d recommend bringing with is a sleeping bag

.

What shoes should I wear on the Camino?

For a multi-day hike like the Camino, we recommend

non-waterproof shoes

. Non-waterproof shoes dry quickly and are more breathable. You shouldn’t be walking through a deluge of water and after a quick rain shower you can take off the shoes and let them dry quickly, or just change socks and keep going.

Is walking the Camino worth it?

Exercise. For those looking for more material gains,

The Camino is a great place to shed some unwanted weight or just get some great exercise and fresh air

. 5-8 hours of hiking (and sweating!) every day does wonders for the body, though the first several days can be taxing.

How much weight should you carry on the Camino?

The Camino is well supported so you can keep your pack weight light, ideally carrying

no more than 10-15 percent of your body weight

. Be sure your pack’s final weight includes the 2-3 pounds of water and food you need to carry each day.

Which Camino is the hardest?

According to the historical manuscripts Spanish King Alfonso II walked from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela in the 9th century. The Primitive Way of

Camino de Santiago route

map. It’s often named the toughest Camino due to the fact that the route goes through the mountains in Asturias.

Where do you fly to start the Camino?

Ferrol. The bustling port city of

Ferrol in Spain’s northwestern point

is the main starting point for the English Way or the Camino Inglés, the shortest of the major routes.

How crowded is Camino de Santiago?


The summer months of June, July, and August are in general the busiest time in the Camino de Santiago

. In 2019 47% of pilgrims arrived in Santiago in these three months (June – 14%, July – 15%, August – 18%).

Is 2022 a Holy Year?


The Pope declares walking the Camino de Santiago in 2022 is officially a Holy Year

.

How do you prevent bedbugs on the Camino?
  1. #1 – Keep Your Rucksack OFF the Bed. …
  2. #2 – How to check for bedbugs. …
  3. #3 – Wear bedclothes that cover your skin. …
  4. #4 – Use Silk Sleep Sheet (or bed bug sheet) …
  5. #5 – Perform a shakedown! …
  6. #6 – Don’t panic if you find a bite! …
  7. #7 – If you are bitten, then you need to tell someone!

What are hostels on the Camino called?

The system of

pilgrim hostels

(known in Spanish as “albergues”) are a unique feature of the camino, especially the Camino Francés, which allow pilgrims to sleep in dormitory-style accommodations for arou d €8-20 per night.

Can you tent camp on the Camino de Santiago?

What’s the camping situation on the Camino? There is very little “cowboy camping” along the Camino, though according to various hiker forums,

there are plenty of small, grassy rest areas where you can put up a tent

. Dedicated campsites are few and far between, so most people stay in hostels.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.