One of the top things that anyone can do on a visit to Spain is to hike the Camino de Santiago.
The Camino de Santiago is any route that follows an ancient Catholic pilgrimage dedicated to St. James, which finishes at the spectacular cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
While there are several routes, some of which begin in places such as Portugal and in Andalucia, the most common Camino route is the “French Way.”
This route begins in the French city of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France and then begins with a difficult route over the Pyrenees Mountains and into Spain. This part of the hike provides magnificent mountain scenery.
After this, the route continues through northern Spain towards Galicia. Hikers pass through the spectacular countryside all of the way.
While largely a rural route, hikers also go through Spanish cities such as Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos, and Leon before reaching Santiago and its cathedral. It’s common for hikers to visit the cathedrals of these cities to pay tribute to the saint.
Those that finish the route in one go usually hike for about four weeks to a month to finish the 700-kilometer route. It’s also to hike the trail in sections.
This is a fantastic way to see Spain, its beautiful cities and towns, and to experience a truly unforgettable experience and physical challenge. Would you be able to hike the Camino?
