I am an avid hiker and biker and have walked and biked many trails around the world. My favorite has been the Camino de Santiago in Spain/Portugal. I have hiked on it several times and written a book – The Camino Way: Lessons in Leadership from a Walk Across Spain (HarperCollins/AMACOM, July 2017) – about the Camino. People often ask me questions about the trail. Here are some of the most frequent questions I get and answers I share.
1 – What is the Camino? – The Camino de Santiago is a network of hiking trails across Spain and Portugal that all lead to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. The Camino started as way for people wishing to do a pilgrimage to visit the shrine to St. James (Sant Iago in Spanish) over 1,000 years ago. (Legend has it that St. James – one of the apostles of Jesus – was buried in northwest Spain and the town and cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was built to hold his remains.)
2 – What is the best time of year to go? – I avoid the busiest months of August and September. I have walked in April, June, and July and enjoyed those experiences. I would recommend October and May too. I would avoid walking in December and January because some of the hostels will be closed for the season.
3 – Which is the best path to walk? – The answer depends on what you want. If you want to meet many other pilgrims from all over the world, the French Way is the most popular. The Portuguese Way is the second most popular. The English Way is short and less busy. The Camino Finistera is nice too. I have not walked the Camino Norte yet, but I hear that it is more scenic and difficult but nice. My favorite parts of all the Caminos I have walked have been the first two weeks from St Jean Pied de Port to Burgos on the Camino Frances.
4 – Can you ride a bicycle? – About 5 percent of people finished the Camino on a bicycle last year. Bicycle riders have to bicycle 200 kilometers to get a Compostela. I considered riding a bike my first time but I am glad I decided to walk instead. I think walkers have a much more social experience.
5 – How physically difficult is the trail? – Walking 25 kilometers (15 miles) per day is not easy but you do not have to be an athlete to do it. About 20 percent of people who completed the trail last year were over age 60. If you can walk one kilometer, you can probably walk 10 kilometers if you work at it. If you can walk 10 kilometers, you can probably walk 25 kilometers if you work at it. If you can walk 25 kilometers one day, you can walk 25 kilometers day after day if you work at it. You have all day to do it. The hardest day I have had is walking over the Pyrenes Mountains on the first day from St Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles. My phone told me it 49,000 steps and 380 floors climbed that day. Some people skip that day and start in Roncesvalles or Pamplona. Some people take that day in two parts by stopping at the one hostel midway in Orisson.
6 – Do people walk the Camino alone? – Yes, many people walk the Camino alone. The trail is well marked, so it is easy to follow without a guide. It is easy to make friends with other pilgrims along the way. I always feel safe walking on the Camino. You have to be smart, of course. I watch for pickpockets in the cities. I feel most safe when I am walking a trail where I know other pilgrims are not far behind me. Pilgrims help each other. People who live along the trail are generally supportive too. I have seen many women walking the Camino alone on the French Way.
7 – Do you have to take a tent? – No, at least on the trails I have been on. The trail is so old there are villages all along with hostels, Airbnb, hotels, and inns. The hostels for pilgrims are often 10-25 Euros a night.
8 – Do you have to stay in hostels? – People share rooms and bathrooms in the hostals. Some pilgrims love that because it makes it easy to meet other pilgrims. Some people do not want to share a bedroom or bathroom. Maybe they want privacy. Maybe the want to avoid the people who snore. There are usually private rooms along the Camino in hotels and inns. They are more expensive.
9 – Do you have to take a month off to walk the Camino? – No, many people walk the Camino one or two weeks at a time. Many start 100 kilometers from Santiago so they qualify for the Compostela. Walking the whole Camino Frances over 32 days is a special experience that I recommend if you do have the time.
10 – What is the most important equipment to have? – Good shoes and socks are most important. I use hiking shoes with support for my ankles. Some people walk in running shoes. I wear lightweight pants and shirts that are easy to wash and dry. I use a pole. A good hat and sunscreen are important. A good backpack with is important. There are services that will carry your baggage for you if you do not want to use a backpack.
Victor Prince 