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Journeying in a westward direction, many aspects of Spain will be witnessed from the high mountains of the Pyrenees to the flat plains of the Meseta; vast Gothic Cathedrals and tiny ‘ermitas’; differing cultures from the colourful Basque lands to mystical Celtic Galicia. Walking the full route from St Jean Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago in one go takes at least 35 days, but offers the ultimate Camino experience. However, time and practicality dictate that most can only manage one stage at a time taking several years to complete the full route. For this reason we have divided the Camino into stages of 7-11 nights to offer flexibility, depending on time available and ease of access to/from start and end points.
 VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - ALL THE WAY |
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 Do you wish to complete a lifelong ambition in walking part of the St
James’ Way (el Camino) but have concerns about your ability to do so?
This special version of the final week of the Camino walking into
Santiago could be the trek for you!
Here we offer a 7 night holiday during which you complete the final
100km of the St James’ Way - all you need to walk to become an official
Pilgrim in Santiago and qualifying for a Pilgrim Certificate. The days
are shorter than the full version of this trek leaving you plenty of
time to complete each day at your own pace and still have time to
explore your destination before dinner.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - LAST 100KM |
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Here
we offer a 7 night holiday during which you complete the final 100km of the St
James’ Way - all you need to walk to become an official Pilgrim in Santiago and
to qualify for a Pilgrim Certificate. For this Country House itinerary we have chosen unique and stylish accommodations just
a short distance away from the Camino route in tranquil
locations. These hotels are mainly located in a farming area and offer a more
relaxing environment to the busier towns where most pilgrim
accommodation is located.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - LAST 100KM |
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 There
are many pilgrim paths meandering through Europe and they all lead to the
entrancing and inspiring city of Santiago de Compostela. The most well-trodden
route is the Camino Frances from St Jean in France to Santiago, but this route
gets busier each year. However, there exists a far quieter but intensely
spiritual route, which still has close connections to the life and work of St
James as he travelled from Padron to his final resting place in Santiago.
Journeying through these landscapes that border the Atlantic Ocean today can
still return the pilgrim to ancient times, and indeed you will encounter
sections of the original pilgrim route with shrines, ancient stone crosses and
chapels along the way.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - PORTUGUESE WAY |
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 For
those with little time to spare who wish to start at the beginning and hope or plan to return to walk further,
this section is a superb introduction to walking the Camino and passes through delightful
mountain and pastoral landscapes from the high Pyrenees to the lower hills
surrounding Pamplona.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - STAGES |
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 Wandering
through the world famous wine lands of Rioja sets the scene for the stage of
the Camino between the walled city of Pamplona, famous for its bull running Fiesta
de San Fermin, and the bustling city of Burgos with its majestic Gothic
Cathedral.
Most
of the route between these two cities follows rural paths which link hill top
villages set amongst the vineyards and is a much favored section by many
Pilgrims. This may because of the
promise of the Fuente de Irache where delicious Rioja wine flows freely and
constantly enabling Pilgrims to drink to their hearts content! Logrono, is the
wine capital of Rioja where eating, drinking and merrymaking can continue in
one of the many Bodegas lining the narrow streets.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - STAGES |
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 The
Meseta, so often condemned as the most boring and uninteresting stage of the
Camino, can actually be one of the most atmospheric and soulful stages. The endless flat plains, providing the bread
basket of Spain, merges with vast skies filled with soaring vultures and eagles
and a hint of distant mountains to be traversed before reaching Santiago. It is
a hot, harsh route to follow during the heat of summer whilst in winter strong
winds sting the face of Pilgrims bracing the cold. However, the emptiness and
peace during softer months can lift the spirits on high as miles are quickly
covered underfoot.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - STAGES |
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 Along
this stretch the Pilgrim is faced with the major challenge of crossing the
Cordillera Cantabria at over 1500m. Departing culturally rich Leon, the
Camino winds its way over mountain and
moorland with the weather contrasting between sun and snow, wind and rain. Nestling between the mountains is the Bierzo
Valley where milder weather and easier walking provides a welcome break from
the higher paths. Fresh, locally produced white wines quench the thirst after a
long day in the mountains.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - STAGES |
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 The
final stage of the Camino and one which is walked by more Pilgrims than the
rest of the route passes entirely through Galicia – a land with Celtic origins
and weather! Green and lush, warm and
moist, Galicia is a verdant part of Spain with its own language of Galega. Many characteristics of Galicia resemble
Wales, Ireland and Brittany as Celtic influences come through in their
language, music and lifestyle. Farming is the main occupation and most houses
cultivate even the smallest parcel of land around their homes. Grain is stored
in ‘horreos’ which rise like tombs through the mist creating a mysterious
scene.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - STAGES |
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Pamplona
is an ideal starting point for those who wish to eliminate the more challenging
start of crossing the Pyrenees. It is also an easier access point than St Jean.
Wandering
through the world famous wine lands of Rioja sets the scene for the start point
of the Camino in the walled city of Pamplona, famous for its bull running
Fiesta de San Fermin. From here you will
follow rural paths which link hill top villages set amongst the vineyards to
Burgos with its imposing Gothic Cathedral.
This is a much favoured stage of the Camino possibly due to the promise
of the Fuente de Irache where delicious Rioja wine flows freely and constantly
enabling Pilgrims to drink to their hearts content! Logrono is the wine capital
of Rioja where eating, drinking and merrymaking can continue in one of the many
Bodegas lining the narrow streets.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - STAGES |
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With
easy access from Madrid, Burgos makes an excellent start point to walk part of
the Camino. It is a large, cosmopolitan city
with endless historical buildings to explore as well as its vast Gothic
Cathedral dating back to the 13th century and designated a UNESCO Heritage Building.
The
walk to Santiago starts with easy days crossing the Meseta, so often condemned
as the most boring and uninteresting stage of the Camino, but which can
actually be one of the most atmospheric and soulful stages. The endless flat plains merge with vast skies
filled with soaring vultures and eagles and a hint of distant mountains to be
traversed before reaching Santiago. It is a hot, harsh route to follow during
the heat of summer whilst in winter strong winds sting the face of Pilgrims
bracing the cold. However, the emptiness and peace during softer months can
lift the spirits on high as miles are quickly covered underfoot.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - STAGES |
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 Along
this stretch the Pilgrim is faced with the major challenge of crossing the
Cordillera Cantabria at over 1500m. Time should be allowed to visit at least
one or two of Leon’s stunning historical buildings especially the Cathedral
complete with its superb stained glass windows. Departing culturally rich Leon,
the Camino winds its way over mountain
and moorland with the weather contrasting
between sun and snow, wind and rain.
Nestling between the mountains is the Bierzo Valley where milder weather
and easier walking provides a welcome break from the higher paths. Fresh,
locally produced white wines quench the thirst after a long day in the
mountains.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN CAMINO - STAGES |
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This 7 night trip covers the last section of this route into Rome so that you can immerse yourself
in the Italian culture, enjoy delicious rustic food and learn about the
historical significance of this famous pilgrimage. By completing this section
you will be eligible for your ‘Testimonium’ of pilgrimage with your pilgrim
passport which we provide as part of your journey. Our standard itinerary is 7
nights with your last night spent in Rome. Extra nights in Rome can easily be
added if you wish to spend more time exploring this fascinating city and its
famous landmarks - the Colosseum, Castel Sant Angelo, the Trevi Fountain and so much more.
VIEW ALL PILGRIM ROUTES IN VIA FRANCIGENA - LAST 130KM |
Camino - Highlights of the Camino De Santiago Walk
Camino - Portugal Coastal Way to Santiago 
Camino - Stages
Via Francigena 
Facts - Camino de Santiago
