People who’ve already walked the Camino de Santiago know that there’s one thing that should absolutely not be missed — the Cruz de Ferro. Also known as the Iron Cross, it is set on a gently sloping hill that also happens to be the highest point of the French Way.The views offered from up top are … [Read more...]
Best Sleeping Pads for Camping and Backpacking
When you set out on a long backpacking journey, you need to always make sure you have the best gear available. You have your hiking boots or hiking shoes, your backpack, and you need to take with you a comfortable, lightweight and effective sleeping pad. This is a very important item when you are … [Read more...]
Hiking the Camino Frances Again
Hello, Camino friends I was recently reading the Camino Forums and felt inspired to write a little about my pilgrimage down the Camino Francis and why I chose to hike it again the next year before I had even finished my first one.I first heard about the Camino de Santiago from a friend whom I … [Read more...]
Inspiration to Walk the Camino de Santiago
The Camino forum was an amazing resource for me when researching the Camino de Santiago. I did the full Camino Frances as well as the Camino del Norte in 2013 with my guitar. In May of 2014, I did 4 days of the Camino de Madrid to Segovia and I'll be doing the Camino Primitivo route this … [Read more...]
The Pilgrims Road to Santiago
As I sat on the rustic Spanish bench alongside the Camino trail, I looked down at my two bruised and blue big toenails, free at last to wiggle in fresh mountain air from the containment of my Vasque hiking boots. Then I thought “how am I going to do this for another 5 weeks?”The combination of a … [Read more...]
10 Best Hiking Boots for 2019
When you are out on the hill or on a long trek, your hiking boots are among the most important pieces in your kit. You need a good pair of boots or shoes to suit the terrain. Some people, for example, prefer shoes for trekking or hill walking, but for me, a good pair of comfortable and neatly … [Read more...]
Pilgrim Routes in Ireland
Long before the discovery of St. James’ relics, there was Cruachan Aille in Ireland. The sacred grounds had been there since 3,000 BC and attracted pilgrims from all over Europe. Pagans frequented the area and so did early Christians when it was popularized by St. Patrick. When Camino de Santiago … [Read more...]
Is It Safe Walking the Camino de Santiago Alone?
One of the most common questions I am asked - is it safe to walk the Camino de Santiago alone? This became a question being asked more again recently when someone went missing on the Camino. However my opinion remains unchanged - yes, it is safe to walk the Camino de Santiago alone. I would think … [Read more...]
How Walking the Camino de Santiago changed my Life
I first walked the Camino de Santiago in 2004 on the Camino Frances route. I found it quite difficult back then to find information before I went so I had little idea what lay ahead. In hindsight that was maybe good for me, if I had seen some of the images of where people sleep at night and the … [Read more...]
Hiking the Camino for Charity
Have you thought about it? I know there are many pilgrims or future pilgrims out there that have had this idea. Is it possible? Is it easy? I’ve done it and I want to share my experience with you. All the in’s and out’s. All the up’s and down’s. All the pro’s and con’s. And my strategy to … [Read more...]
Planning Rest Days on the Camino de Santiago
For most people walking the Camino de Santiago means a month walking across northern Spain covering about 800 km, (500 miles). So it is not surprising that most of us plan on a few rest days along the Camino. Below are some of the towns and villages that I suggest are good places to stop for a day … [Read more...]
A Typical Day on the Camino
My typical day on the Camino de Santiago started about 6am. I was a mature student before hiking the on the Camino de Santiago for the first time; at that time I would have been doing well if I was awake before 9am, (I had got into student life and loved it). So six in the morning was initially … [Read more...]
Newbie Mistakes on The Camino de Santiago
To be honest, I wanted to get your attention with the title of this blog post. I guess it worked if you are reading this now :)Great. Now that we are here I would like to clear something up which is of high importance to me.The word "mistake" in the blog title is not really right. I rather … [Read more...]
Walking the Camino de Santiago with Children
Walking the Camino is without a doubt an extraordinary experience - but what about walking the Camino de Santiago with children?An escape, an adventure in time where too many things are planned out and controlled. But it’s not always easy to get away, especially if you are taking care of more than … [Read more...]
Why Walk the Camino de Santiago
In 2004 I first walked the Camino Frances the main Camino de Santiago route; I first wrote this article in 2009 and thought it could do with some updating.I was a student at the time and I wanted to do something different during the summer, something interesting - I am not one for lying on a beach … [Read more...]
