El Camino de Santiago Guide
How long is El Camino de Santiago?
✨ El Camino de Santiago Guide brings more info about El Camino de Santiago. It is a network of routes leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, where the tomb of the apostle St. James is located. For centuries, it has been one of the main Christian pilgrimage routes, and today it is one of the most emblematic journeys in Europe. Here we have the basic information about it.
One of the main questions asked by anyone who is going to start this experience is: How long is El Camino de Santiago? And this will depend largely on the selected route. The most common are that we can include in this El Camino de Santiago Guide are:
➡️ French Way: The most popular and traditional. It starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France) and runs about 780 km to Santiago and has an average duration of 30 to 35 days.
➡️ Portuguese Way: Starts in Lisbon or Porto. Gentler and less crowded than the French one. From Lisbon: it would be a total of 610 km and an average time of 25 to 30 days while from Porto it is 240 km and the average is less 10 to 14 days.
➡️ Camino del Norte: It borders the Cantabrian coast. According to our El Camino de Santiago Guide it is more physically demanding, but with spectacular scenery. In this case the distance is 820 km and the duration is slower due to the mountainous terrain and large climbs reaching 35 to 40 days
➡️ Vía de la Plata: starting from Seville is an ideal route for those seeking solitude and challenge. The distance is the longest of all 1,000 km with an average duration: 40 to 50 days and we do not recommend doing it in summer or too hot periods.
In this El Camino de Santiago Guide we have included other tips such as when to do El Camino, where to sleep and what you need to bring and other practical advice.
The best time is from April to October, especially May, June and September, when the weather is more favorable and there are less crowds than in the middle of summer.
What do you need to bring?
✅ Lightweight backpack (max. 10% of your body weight)
✅ Comfortable and used shoes (never new)
✅ Breathable and quick-drying clothes
✅ Basic first aid kit
✅ Rain jacket or rain coat
✅ Sleeping bag
✅ Pilgrim’s credential (to stamp in hostels and obtain the Compostela)
Along El Camino de Santiago there are public and private hostels, hostels and rural houses. Many offer only bed, others also dinner and breakfast. It is recommended to book in advance in high season.
It is the official certificate that certifies that you have completed at least 100 km on foot or 200 km by bike to Santiago. To obtain it, you need to stamp your credential at least twice a day on the last stretches.
Practical tips we include in this El Camino de Santiago Guide:
💡 Train before: Walk several weeks before to prepare your body.
💡 Plan, but with flexibility: Leave room to improvise according to your physical or emotional state.
💡 Hydrate and take care of your feet: Blisters are the number one enemy.
💡 Enjoy the journey, not just the destination
How to pack for El Camino de Santiago?
One of the basic pillars of this El Camino de Santiago Guide is How to pack for the Camino de Santiago, a challenge faced by all those who want to do El Camino de Santiago.
📣 Packing your backpack well is key to enjoying El Camino de Santiago. Carrying too much weight can ruin the experience, and forgetting the basics can make it uncomfortable. Here is a guide to prepare your backpack in a practical and light way.
Your backpack should not exceed 10% of your body weight. For example, if you weigh 70 kg, try to keep your loaded backpack to no more than 7 kg. As for the type of backpack, it should ideally include a lumbar belt and padded shoulder straps with a ventilated back area and a rain cover. Try your backpack with everything you want to carry and test the weight before leaving.
🎒 For clothing on this El Camino de Santiago Guide we recommend light and quick-drying clothes: a pair of T-shirts and pants, underwear and socks. Important a fleece or sweatshirt and waterproof jacket. You can also include a cap or hat and comfortable clothes to sleep and rest.
🎒 As for footwear a pair of boots or hiking shoes that you have already used and with which you feel comfortable and a pair of sandals or flip-flops for the shower and rest your feet.
In this El Camino de Santiago Guide we include other items that will be essential for you to rest properly as a sleeping bag, optionally a sheet and earplugs or mask.
🎒For hygiene the best thing to bring is a multipurpose soap for body, hair and clothes. A toothbrush and toothpaste as well as a microfiber towel, toilet paper or tissues and nail clippers. It is very useful to include sunscreen or vaseline and cream for chafing.
🎒 A basic first aid kit will be your great ally, in this El Camino de Santiago Guide we recommend you to include plasters, gauze and adhesive tape and insect repellent. As for medicines, apart from your relevant medication, you can include ibuprofen or paracetamol
It is important to be documented, so always carry your pilgrim’s credential, ID card or passport, health card or travel insurance. You can also include a guidebook, maps or apps.
Always carry cash with you, as you will not be able to access a cash machine at all points. Always carry your cell phone with charger and portable power bank batteries.
🎒 To distribute the weight, in this El Camino de Santiago Guide; we recommend you to organize the backpack so that the weight is as close as possible to the back and centered: light things like clothes at the bottom, heavy objects (water, food) in the center and near the back what you need quick access (raincoat, sunscreen) above or in outside pockets
🎖️ Carrying only what you need will give you freedom, comfort and allow you to enjoy more of the Camino. Remember: what you don’t put in your backpack, you will carry in your mind. Pack light and live longer.
You can also bring our free virtual ebook to your trip ➡️Ebook – Spanish25´
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