Camino

The pandemic canceled many hikers’ plans to walking Camino, but you can still enjoy a new adventure walking one of the alternatives to the Camino de Santiago.

A quick trip is not something you can expect from Camino de Santiago. With routes going up to several hundred kilometers, a pilgrimage typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks on foot.

If you don’t have the luxury to travel for extended periods, or if you’re unable (or don’t want) to walk long distances, you can still do the Camino.

The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago, and no matter where you are on the road, you will see countless scallop shell symbols.

They are used today, together with the yellow arrows, to guide the pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela. But you will see them on walls, churches, signposts, on pilgrims’ backpacks and on their bodies as tattoos or at their necks in the form of necklaces.

Here are the best start points for two weeks on the Camino. Most of these starts allow you to finish in Santiago.

I lost about 8kgs, about 18 lbs, over a four week period. So yes I did lose a lot of weight on the Camino.

However, losing weight was never one of my reasons for walking. I did not set out on the Camino to lose weight and I must admit that it never entered into my mind at any time while I was there.

If you lack the inspiration to start walking or hiking, these inspirational walking quotes will get you from the couch and motivate you to be active.

There are many hundreds of Camino blogs started every year as pilgrims keep a diary of their planning, travel, and journey. This is the best of all these many blogs.

There is nothing better on a rainy Sunday afternoon than to pull out one of my Camino movies and enjoy the flood of memories.

I reflected in a previous story, that the Camino is a place where the magic happens, something I have not experienced anywhere else, there is a strange ‘need’ to return that I cannot explain, a longing for something…

Santiago is the patron saint of Spain and the reason for the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.

Since completing the Camino de Santiago I have read 2 books by individuals who have described their inner and outer experiences, their trials, their triumphs and their fellow pilgrims along the way. Although fairly interesting and at times amusing they write about their unique journey and whilst there are certain shared experiences, they are still their experiences and not mine.

How fit do I have to be to walk the Camino de Santiago or what kind …

Training Plan for the Camino de Santiago Read More »

My wife, Sandy, and I walked the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago in 2016 at the end of winter.

Meeting people from around the globe, facing the unexpected, experiencing physical and mental cleansing, laughter, meditation, natural beauty

If I could for a moment, bring you on a journey to Santa Catalina de Samoza. It is on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain…

The main costs for any of the Camino de Santiago routes are your daily budget on the Camino and getting to and from your start and finish points.

There are many different Camino de Santiago routes. The routes in Spain are the most popular although the four main routes in France are popular.

The video below shows the Botafumeiro in action during one of the pilgrims masses. The …

Santiago Cathedral Botafumeiro Videos Read More »

In May and June, (2012), I walked along with my husband, the Camino de Santiago as a vegan as well as sugar and gluten free. I spent a good amount of time before leaving on the internet looking for information about being vegan on the Camino…but to no avail. So, I decided to keep notes of what I ate during our trip to help others with this challenge. Because I have a minor problem with wheat and other gluten products, I was also very conscious of the details of how I remained this way for 99% of my Camino. I have been a vegan for about 15 years.