Camino de Santiago Routes

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 popular Camino route is the Camino Francés through northern 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, including the Camino Primitivo and Camino Finisterre. Each route has its own charm, history, and landscapes. We can help you work out which route is best for you.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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 main Camino walk. Walking from Sarria to Santiago is the most popular section for those wanting to earn their Compostela.

To get there, you have a few options. Read more about getting to the Camino de Santiago.

Most Camino routes culminate in the city of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, where pilgrims traditionally attend mass at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This cathedral is said to house the remains of Saint James and remains the spiritual heart of the religious pilgrimage to Santiago.

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. 

See more information in our Top 25 Questions Asked Before a Camino Trip.