Camiño de Santiago

Do you like hiking and walking? Are you into spirituality? How do you feel about going to an adventure?

To walk Camiño de Santiago (or Saint James paths) you must be into all these things. It's a goal that not everybody can accomplish.

You can walk it from Portugal, Spain, France, United Kingdom through many ways. The hardest has over eight hundred kilometers, the easiest around one hundred.

To get prepared you can find many blogs and groups online that will give you tips and advice on which way to go, how to walk, how to train for it. You can do it by foot, bike or horse riding. Either way, get prepared for sacrifice and also really nice sightsees.

Why do it

Santiago's path leads to Santiago de Compostela, the city where Saint James apostle is buried. Every year over 250 hundred people walk there to ask for miracles, pay promises and above all, to find their spirituality.

The pilgrims are very appreciated in the city, received by a ceremony in the Cathedral. Through the way also there are many hostels and restaurants who are welcoming for them, giving food and a place to stay for free or a very small fee.

Also, while walking you'll meet many interesting people from all over the world. And you will all be united by a same goal: getting there.

Helped by your shell staff, supplied by your backpack and guided by Santiago's arrows and cross, you'll definitely feel fulfilled. Just do it!

My experience

I haven't walked Santiago path, I only visited some Portuguese cities that are on the way - such as Valença do Minho and Porto. But I met people in these places who were doing it (or preparing themselves to do) and they really inspired me to do it someday. It's on my bucket list!