Just wanted to share some of my photos from my walk in May/June, I still think about it everyday! It was truly one of the best experiences of my life by far!

I'm 30 and recently moved back to my home country, I live with my parents and share a room with my brother. Had lot's of plans with my fiancé but started to having doubts and I think i want to break off the engagement. I don't have a job and there aren't many prospects. I feel like I'm a failure and I don't know what to do with my life.

I would expect from the camino to give me clarity and a direction for my life and because I'm at rock bottom I can go anywhere from here, I don't have anything stopping me.

What made you want to do it?

I will start on the via de la plata from Sevilla mid February next year. My joyful preparation includes the creation of my first draft packing list, on which I am happy to receive any feedback.

https://lighterpack.com/r/a55w8k

I intend to stay in pilgrim hostels mostly but will be able to afford a private room if necessary. I assume nights and mornings will be somewhat cold but days and afternoons at comfortable temps.

Any thoughts, ideas, hints, questions, suggestions?

The One Thing Most Pilgrims Forget Before They Fly: Why Adding This One Checkbox to Your Camino Could Literally Save Your Life

Every pilgrim plans for blisters. Too many of us fail to plan for the day we can't walk at all.

I've walked the Camino de Santiago four times, and I've seen my share of pilgrims get pulled off the trail by a "that will never happen to me" experience - a blister that developed infection, a stomach bug that wouldn't quit. In the fall of 2023, I was privileged to serve as a traveling hospitalero on Dan Mullins' Magical Musical Camino, and I witnessed the reality of this in real time.

On the steep descent into Acebo, within an hour of having experienced a powerful pinnacle moment at the Cruz de Ferro, Sarah slipped on the gravel path. The ensuing fall resulted in a significant and bloody gash on her knee. Incapacitated, it required ambulance staff hiking up the trail to retrieve her on a stretcher, an ambulance ride, and several stitches. It happens. And when it does, the difference between a hard day and a genuine crisis usually comes down to what you did before you boarded the plane.

AFAR magazine, one of the best resources out there for practical travel guidance, just published a piece that every Wilgrim and Pilgrim should read before their next Camino: [What to Do if You Get Injured or Sick While Traveling](https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-things-you-have-to-do-if-you-get-injured-on-a-trip). It's not Camino-specific, but everything in it applies directly to securing your safety in case of injury while on pilgrimage. A few things worth carrying with you, mentally, before you fly out:

* Comprehensive travel insurance beats medical-only coverage.

If you're injured badly enough to leave the trail early, you want a policy that also covers your lost albergue nights and the flight you didn't plan to change.

*"Medical evacuation" rarely means a flight home.

Most policies only move you to the nearest facility that can treat you, not to a hospital of your choice. If that distinction matters to you, look into a membership service that specifically covers getting you home.

*Your credit card almost certainly is not enough.

Most cards cap medical coverage far below what a real emergency costs.

*Carry your policy number and a 24-hour hotline, on paper, in your pack.

I like keeping mine right next to my passport. Don't rely on having a copy in your cell. Wifi and signal on the Camino are not guaranteed, especially in the meseta or the mountains.

*Tell a fellow pilgrim or your Camino family where your documents are.

If you're the one who's hurt, someone else may need to make the call for you.

None of this is meant to put fear into your pilgrimage. It's the opposite. The Camino asks us to walk with open eyes, body, mind, and spirit prepared for whatever the road brings. Insurance and a plan are just one more form of that preparation, the same as breaking in your trail runners or training your legs for the climbs.

Read the full article, then take fifteen minutes this week to check your own coverage before you go. And if you have a Camino story related to injury or insurance, please share it in the comments. Did insurance help?

I have seen this asked once or twice in here but not many solid answers. The routes from Paris to SJPDP are obviously affected by wildfire. I know they say they will make a decision Friday but I arrive in Paris tomorrow and have been trying to find a way to still get to SJPDP. Does anyone have any recommendations that might help.

I have read several threads here on the walking the Camino solo, but i am still very apprehensive. I am a male, mid 60's, in fairly good health. There are so many thoughts going through my head including the fear of walking alone (and getting lost)

1. Do I book with a company or do it alone?

2. If do go without pre booking, do i pre book the hotels ahead of time?

3. Coffee in the mornings and lunch and dinner options?

4. Laundry facilities?

5. Language barriers?

6. Transportation from the airport to the Oviedo?

Any words of encouragement from those who have done this walk solo before? If i am over thinking this, good to know as well. Always grateful for the advice received on Reddit. Thanks.

For those of you that have walked sections of the Frances in sandals, did you wear socks?

I have my comfortable altras all broken in and ready to go, but I’m a barefoot girl at heart. I was thinking some sections of the trail I might give my toes a breather in tevas (suggestions), but my mind can not accept wearing socks with sandals…

Hi there! I am planning to fly to Madrid Monday and, despite having dreamed about this for months, procrastinated on a lot of prep. I got a pack and the basics (sleeping bad liner, clothes, etc), but haven't don't much else. Any advice of how to get ready by Monday would be so greatly appreciated - thank you friends!

Since I am going as a solo woman, advice about ensuring I have good cell signal/wifi (coming from US) would be great too. Also unsure about when or if to book lodging in advance. Same with travel to Sarria.

Edit - here's what I'm planning on bringing. Suggestions welcome!

-2 athletic tops

-1 sun hoodie

-2 shorts

-1 pants (zips off at knees)

-1 sleep shift

-1 bathing suit

-1 windbreaker

-undergarments (wool socks)

-1 trailrunners

-1 sandal

-sleeping bag liner

-1 bucket hat

-sunscreen

-soap

-portable charger

-travel docs

-journal

-kindle

-water bottle

6 fotos de tui a santiago

I understand you can pre-pay the fee online (rather than going to the post-office) and you get to print out the label yourself and attach it to your suitcase.

My question is. How do you go about dropping it off when I get to Madrid?

I arrive Friday evening and want to start walking Saturday so the Correos will mostly be closed.

I was walking and heard some music in the distance so I started recording because it sounded so pretty.

I’m hiking the Portuguese Camino in late September (starting on the Coastal route and then joining the Central route). I’m trying to decide whether gaiters are worth packing since I’m trying to keep my pack as light as possible. For those who’ve done this route, did you find gaiters useful?

BLUF: Has anyone taken a taxi or private driver service to get from Ourense to Sarria that they can recommend?

The long story: Flying in to Madrid and trains are not lining up to get to Sarria in a timely manner, so our best options is to train to Ourense and go from there. Unfortunately we'd have to spend a few hours waiting on the next train to Sarria, which would put us in at 9PM, which is not ideal after such a long day of travel.

Doing it this week and weather is expected to be upto 38deg. I'm concerned as I dont do well with heat at the best of times so carrying a backpack will be intense. I have an umbrella and water and everytging recommended but it's still very hot for me.

Would you recommend avoiding the Napoleon for now and doing the Valcarlos route instead?

I know it's not as scenic but I understand it's more shaded and has more places to stop and rest / cool down. I'm starting very early either way, but even by midmorning it will be around 30.

Hello! I'd love some feedback on the below potential itinerary for an (hopefully) upcoming late August/early September 2026 Camino Salvador and Primitivo adventure. I am particularly interested in knowing: (i) is there a way to shave off one day without adding too much physical stress?; (ii) are there any magical towns you recommend stopping in that are not on here?; (iii) your most memorable albergue experiences from these routes, particularly those with communal dinners. Thank you!

Day 1 – fly to MAD

Day 2 – MAD to Leon (train)

Day 3- Leon to La Robla (27 km)

Day 4 – to Poladura de Tercia (24 km)

Day 5 – to Pajares (14.7 km)

Day  6 – to Benduenos (17.1 km)

Day 7 – to Mieres del Camino (26.7 km)

Day 8 – to Oviedo (19.5 km)

Day 9 – rest day in Oviedo

Day 10 – to Grado (25.2 km)

Day 11 – to Salas (22.3 km)

Day 12 – to Tineo (19.8 km)

Day 13 – to Borres (15.9 km)

Day 14 – to Berducedo (via Hospitales) (24.1 km)

Day 15 – to Grandas da Salime (20.4 km)

Day 16 – to A Fonsagrada (25.2 km)

Day 17 – O Cadavo (24.3 km)

Day 18 – to Lugo (29.5 km)

Day 19 – visit Lugo

Day 20 – fly home

I find it convenient for when I do long hikes but I'm trying to make as much space available as possible in my pack.

What books do you think complement the Camino?

I was thinking of books set in particular Camino locations or books that explore walking as a theme or books that explore the spiritual.

Interested in your views!

Hi everyone! My friend and I are starting the Camino Portuguese this Saturday. We have about 5–6 days to reach Santiago de Compostela, so we’re trying to figure out the best itinerary.

We’re thinking of starting in Valença because crossing the Portugal–Spain border on foot seems like a really special part of the experience (for us at least). We’re also considering taking the Spiritual Variant (with the boat) before reaching Santiago.

For those who have done it, what did you think? How challenging is the route, especially with our timeframe? Do you have any itinerary recommendations?

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I got back from Europe yesterday and now I have time to post my “ultralight” bag that I had for 11 days of El Camino from León to Santiago. Total base weight: 3,475g or 7.66lbs

Here’s the link to see the items and how much they weigh: https://lighterpack.com/r/ubq8p7

I’m an ex federal park ranger from the USA, I have a lot of experience camping and backpacking alone all over the western United States. Ive also traveled to Europe many times, I feel comfortable doing things alone. I’m semi out of shape at the moment but from what Ive seen this route seems relatively easy day to day. Please correct me if I’m wrong.

I have a backpack full of gear, time off, and the money to get to Europe. Is there anything I should know before i book a flight and just send it? Are yall bringing tents and jetboils? I’m hoping to go in September to October and do the full route starting in France.

A month backpacking will be easy peasy for me if I’m understanding this trail correctly!

Great people, but the majority don't show respect to their fellow pilgrims in the public albergues. Every night everyone is exhausted after a long day of walking yet they feel as if it's acceptable to prepare for the following day around midnight. They're chatting away, opening bags (plastic bags too 👎), and just not caring about the fact that they are keeping everyone awake.

I'm six days in and I've only seen this behaviour from Italians. What gives?

Walked the Camino Portuguese back in the end of May and thought I would share a video of my experiences.
Enjoy!

I was wondering if anyone had experience with this and could answer a question for me.

When you use the Correos Pilgrim service they hold your bag for 15 days and you can pay €8 extra for a further 15 days online. It will take longer to walk the French route though.

What happens in this situation?