Two Caminos, One Journey

What if you didn’t have to choose just one Camino?

At RAW Travel, we’ve been organising Camino journeys for over 20 years. Each trip is tailor-made by our Destination Experts to suit travellers’ interests, timeframe and travel style, creating a journey that’s uniquely their own.

I wanted to take this flexibility a step further and put it to the test myself, so I planned a two-week trip combining two very different Caminos: the coastal Camino del Norte and the classic Camino Francés.

Some people thought the logistics of combining the two Caminos would be more trouble than it was worth. But where there’s a Camino, there’s a way!

I spent my first week walking the Camino del Norte from San Sebastián to Bilbao on our Slow Walk itinerary, enjoying spectacular coastal scenery, Basque culture and incredible food. I then headed to the Camino Francés for a week walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, where I experienced the lively pilgrim community and camaraderie that make this route so special.

Experiencing both routes back to back showed me just how different two Caminos can feel, and how rewarding it can be to combine them into one unforgettable journey.

Two Caminos, two very different experiences

My week on the Camino del Norte was all about spectacular coastal scenery, Basque culture and incredible food. The walking offered plenty of variety, and I loved being able to finish the day with a swim in the ocean. An overnight stay in Lekeitio was a particular highlight! With fewer pilgrims on the trail, the experience also felt more peaceful and introspective, giving me time to slow down, take in my surroundings and enjoy the journey at my own pace.

Then I arrived in Sarria to begin the final section of the Camino Francés, and the atmosphere changed almost immediately.

There were more pilgrims on the trail, more cafés and places to stop along the way, and plenty of opportunities to meet people from around the world. I made some wonderful connections with fellow walkers and enjoyed the shared experience of making our way towards Santiago. After arriving in Santiago, a day trip to Finisterre with some of the friends I’d made along the way was a real highlight. Watching the sunset together at the end of the world was a special way to round off the journey.

On my flight home, I couldn’t help but reflect on what a unique and special journey it had been. Both sections were memorable, but for very different reasons. Experiencing them back to back gave me a broader appreciation of the Camino de Santiago and reinforced the idea that you don’t necessarily have to choose just one route to have an unforgettable experience.

How do you connect two Caminos?

Some Caminos connect naturally along the trail, while others require travelling longer distances by local transport or domestic flights to get between walking sections.

The following routes can be combined into one continuous walking journey, allowing you to walk directly from one Camino onto the next without needing to transfer between trails.

• The Le Puy Camino connects with the Camino Francés at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
• The Camino del Norte connects with the Camino Primitivo following Villaviciosa.
• The Portuguese Coastal Camino and Camino Inglés can both be extended to Finisterre after reaching Santiago de Compostela.

For a more personalised itinerary, we can help you create the best combination based on the time you have, your fitness level and what you’d most like to experience along the way.

On my own trip, I travelled by train from Bilbao to Sarria to connect two walking sections. It was a long travel day, but the journey was straightforward, with tickets available online and managed through the local transport apps.

A transfer can also provide a welcome break from walking. If the journey is particularly long, an overnight stop may be worthwhile, giving you time to explore another town rather than rushing straight to your next starting point.

Below are some fun Camino combinations, linked by straightforward transport connections.

• Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño (Camino Francés), followed by San Sebastián to Bilbao (Camino del Norte) – Perfect for food lovers wanting to combine inland Spanish culture with the coastal Basque Country’s renowned food scene. Connecting the trails: Direct bus from Logroño to San Sebastián (approx. 2 hours 15 minutes).
• Sarria to Santiago (Camino Francés), followed by Porto to Santiago (Portuguese Coastal Camino) – Combine the final stages of the Camino Francés with the Portuguese Coastal Camino for two unique countries in one memorable trip. Connecting the trails: Direct bus from Santiago de Compostela to Porto (approx. 3 hours).
• Oviedo to Lugo (Camino Primitivo), followed by Ferrol to Santiago (Camino Inglés) – Follow in the footsteps of the earliest pilgrims along the Original Way (Camino Primitivo), before discovering the history of pilgrims who arrived by sea along the English Way (Camino Inglés). Connecting the trails: Bus from Lugo to Ferrol (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes).

What about Santiago de Compostela?

Reaching Santiago de Compostela was an important part of my own journey, so I planned my final walking section around arriving at the Cathedral.

The final 100 km from Sarria on the Camino Francés is a popular choice for walkers hoping to receive their Compostela. However, eligibility depends on meeting the current pilgrimage requirements, so it’s worth checking these before finalising your itinerary.

If you’ve already completed a Camino and aren’t concerned about reaching Santiago, you have even more freedom to choose sections based on the landscapes, towns and experiences that interest you.

Is combining Caminos right for you?

Combining routes is a great option if you’re torn between two Caminos or want to experience different landscapes, cultures and highlights in a single trip, without having to choose just one.

Perhaps you love coastal walking but also want to experience the camaraderie of a popular pilgrimage route. Or maybe you’re meeting friends on one Camino but would like to venture onto a quieter trail and enjoy some time exploring independently.

Combining different sections can also work well for couples or friends with different interests, allowing everyone to enjoy what matters most to them while sharing one memorable journey together.

Ultimately, the right combination depends on your interests, available time and the kind of Camino experience you’re looking for.

Create your own Camino

One of the best things about walking the Camino is that there’s no single way to experience it. You might walk for one week or several, follow a familiar route or discover somewhere new.

Combining Caminos gives you the flexibility to create a journey that suits your interests, available time and walking goals. With expert local knowledge and some creative planning, different sections can often be connected to make the most of your time on the trails.

At RAW Travel, we love thinking outside the box to help you explore the possibilities. From choosing the right routes to advising on transport between walking sections, we can help bring your ideas together into a personalised Camino experience.

You don’t have to choose just one Camino.

Get in touch with our team to explore the possibilities and start planning a journey that’s uniquely yours.

Buen Camino!