Camino de Santiago Routes

Choose your Camino

RAW Travel is Australia and New Zealand’s leading trip operator for the Camino de Santiago. We have organised and supported thousands of walkers along ‘The Way’ over the last 10 years. Our expertise and long-established relationships with Camino accommodation providers ensures that you have the best possible experience on your Camino. With our in-depth materials to properly prepare you, navigation app and guidebooks to orient you, and our own staff on the ground we can offer you the best possible support for your pilgrimage.

Camino Francés (Spain)

The Camino Francés (French Way) through Spain is the most popular of the many pathways leading to the historical and spiritual city of Santiago de Compostela. This route offers a unique combination of history, scenery, food, wine, camaraderie and hospitality. People of all ages from all around the world complete this walk.

  • Total distance: 790km
Portuguese Coastal Camino (Portugal & Spain)

The Portuguese Coastal Camino heads along the Atlantic coastline from Portugal and then into Spain, passing through many beautiful historic towns and quaint fishing villages before finishing in magnificent Santiago de Compostela. It offers a wealth of architectural sites to explore and amazing seafood to sample.

  • Total distance: 260km (Porto to Santiago); 620km (Lisbon to Santiago)
Le Puy Camino (France)

Le Puy Camino (Via Podiensis) is deservedly one of the most popular walks in France. This beautiful route crosses rugged central France and 745km later joins with the Spanish Camino in St-Jean-de-Pied-Port to continue all the way to Santiago de Compostela.

  • Total distance: 730km
Via Francigena (Italy)

The Via Francigena (Italian Camino; Via Romea) offers an incredible spiritual, cultural and historical journey. Undoubtedly, one the most beautiful stretches of this walk is through the heart of Tuscany to Rome. Along the way, explore ancient monasteries and medieval hilltop villages, and replenish your energy with superb Italian food and wine.

  • Total distance: 419km (Lucca to Rome)
Camino del Norte (Spain)

The Camino del Norte (Northern Way) is a dramatic and challenging route along the northern coast of Spain. It winds its way through Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. It is considered more physically demanding than other Camino routes due to its hilly nature and the variability of the terrain.

  • Total distance: 817km
Camino de Finisterre (Spain)

The Camino de Finisterre is a lovely extension to ‘the end of the world’. Since ancient times, pilgrims have been making their way beyond Santiago to Finisterre. It is the most westerly point in Europe and a fitting end to the epic Camino Frances.

  • Total distance: 90km
Camino Primitivo (Spain)

The Camino Primitivo (Original Way) is the original path followed by pilgrims back in the early days of the Camino, more than 1000 years ago. It begins in the ancient city of Lugo and ends in Santiago de Compostela.

  • Total distance: 109km

 

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO ROUTES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Camino routes are there?

There are many routes to Santiago de Compostela, starting from as far away as Belgium to as close as 100km from Santiago. Traditionally the route starts when you leave home. The most well-travelled and renowned Camino route is the Camino Frances through Spain. In addition to the well-established, well-marked routes, there are variations and lesser-known routes that make up the extensive network of trails. Each route has its own charm, history, and landscapes. We can help you work out which route is best for you. 

Is the Camino suitable for travellers of all ages?

Yes! The Camino de Santiago’s universal appeal and variety of routes make it accessible to people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Pilgrims of all ages, from 7 to 70+ walk the various Camino routes every year.

How fit do I need to be to walk the Camino?

The level of fitness required to walk the Camino largely depends on the specific route you choose and your individual health and fitness level. Walking the Camino is not a race and there are no prizes given for the fastest completion time, so you are well advised to take your time and look to build in adequate rest days for the amount of time you are walking. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one rest for each week of walking, though you may require more than that. One of the questions we are frequently asked is: How difficult is the Camino de Santiago?

Can I customise my walk on the Camino?

Yes! We can work with you to design your Camino trip just the way you want it so that it matches your dates, duration, fitness and interests. Our dedicated team of Camino experts have first-hand experience of all the routes. We understand the appeal of this great walk and can give you great advice about the daily realities. If you’re thinking about experiencing a Camino with us, check out what our travellers have to say.

Do I have to book accommodation in advance for the Camino?

We pre-book all your Camino accommodation for you! You’ll stay in authentic, quality accommodation, including charming casa rurales, historic hotels, fine guest houses and the famous Paradors. Most of the properties are located on the Camino path. With our long-standing relationships with our hotels, you’ll be well looked after. Find out more about the Parador Santiago de Compostela.

What is the best time of year to walk the Camino?

For Spain’s Camino Francés the cooler months of spring (March to June) and then early autumn (September and October) are considered optimal times for walking. July and August are hotter and busier and accommodation can fill up quickly in these months, so should be booked quite well in advance. The Portuguese Camino can be walked from March to October. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean ensures that it is perfect for walking during the European summer months (June to August). The best time to walk the Le Puy Camino route is between April and October. Outside of these months a lot of amenities can be closed. June and July are a great time to walk because you get the maximum amount of daylight: the sun rises at about 6am and sets at about 10pm.  The Camino del Norte season starts on 1 April and ends on 31 October each year, so you need to walk within that period. For Italy’s Via Francigena, spring (April – May) and autumn (September – October) offer exceptional times to walk in Italy. Summer can also be a nice time to visit.

What are the most popular starting points for the Camino?

St Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos, Leon and Sarria are popular starting points for Spain’s Camino Frances or The French Way, the best known Camino walk. To get there, you have a few options. Read more about getting to the Camino de Santiago

What should I look for when choosing a walking tour company for my Camino?

Choosing a walking tour company for the Camino de Santiago is an important decision that can greatly impact your experience. We are Australia’s leading specialist for the Camino de Santiago – more people travel with us on the Camino than any other operator in Australia and New Zealand. We are the most established operator and have a highly regarded reputation. Our expertise and experience is unrivalled and we offer an unmatched level of flexibility and customer support. Find out more about us and why we are the No.1 choice for walkers. 

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