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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSince the late 1990s, the number of walking routes has increased tenfold, and many walkers will seek less-visited alternatives to the classic Camino<\/strong> Franc\u00e9s<\/strong>. There are long and short, difficult and easy options to suit any pilgrim’s requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip<\/strong>: popular routes are likely to be more crowded, so plan your itinerary in advance using my tips and a few guidebooks for those routes I’ve already walked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Santiago de Compostela, Spain \u2013 a mini-guide to the capital of Galicia<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The classic: long, varied and exceptionally popular route<\/strong> Camino Franc\u00e9s (the French Way)<\/strong> is the route that still sees more people walk it than all other Caminos combined. It starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port<\/strong> on the French side of the Pyrenees and covers approximately 770 km (about four weeks on foot) across northern Spain en route to Santiago de Compostela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For many people, this Camino de Santiago is a tough challenge that requires both mental and physical endurance. It passes through the vineyards of La Rioja<\/strong>, the sparsely populated farmlands of the Meseta<\/strong> (<\/em> the central plateau of Spain) and hills over 1300 m in the rural green Galicia<\/strong> (the northwestern region of Spain, whose capital is Santiago de Compostela). <\/p>\n\n\n\n You cross isolated stone villages and major cities such as Pamplona<\/strong>, Burgos<\/strong>, Logro\u00f1o<\/strong> and Leon<\/strong>. They are full of the history of the route, from ancient stone bridges to huge medieval cathedrals. The road can be extremely hot in summer and frosty in winter. Some sections are rural tracks and paths along fields and forests, others go along busy paved roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But only one in five people walks the entire distance from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, so most of this route is less crowded than you might think. In fact, nearly half of Camino Franc\u00e9s travelers start from Sarria<\/strong>, only 114 km before Santiago. This modest Galician town happens to be the last starting point that meets the minimum 100 km requirement for receiving the official certificate – the Compostela<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best routes of the Camino de Santiago: which last 100 km are worth walking<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you can’t walk the whole Camino Franc\u00e9s at once, I recommend splitting it into sections. That’s what I did with the French Way – first walked from Leon to Santiago<\/strong>, then five years later its first segment from the French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port<\/strong> to Burgos<\/strong> (or, if you can, to Leon).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The difficulty of this route lies in several mountain crossings: at the beginning you have to cross the Pyrenees in one day, then from Ponferrada to O Cebreiro there is also a steep ascent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Beginner\u2019s route – almost no mountains, ocean views<\/strong> The Portuguese route, the second busiest of the Camino de Santiago, stretches over 600 km from Lisbon in Portugal to Santiago<\/strong> (about 3 and a half weeks). But the most popular starting points are the beautiful city of Porto<\/strong> in northern Portugal (240 km from Santiago, roughly 10 days). And Tui<\/strong>, where the route enters Spain (115 km). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The short version (Porto or Tui) is entirely within the physical abilities of any person. The route has a small number of hills, though much of the walking is on hard surfaces\u2014roads, sidewalks, cobblestones. The latter can be quite tough on your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The landscape becomes greener as you move north, and you can walk this route year-round. Although it\u2019s better to avoid the July and August heat in the south. A popular option starting from Porto is the Camino Portugu\u00e9s de la Costa<\/strong> (Portuguese Coastal Route), which runs near the Atlantic Ocean. Most Ukrainians choose this route (some even walk only it every year\u2014they are addicted to ocean views as well as delicious seafood and wine). For a first Camino, it’s really ideal\u2014easy, fast, and with good infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended reading: Camino Portugues \u2013 Portuguese route from Porto along the ocean<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Four weeks along Spain\u2019s northern coast through mountains and beautiful cities<\/strong> The Northern Way, which about 20,000 people travel a year, runs parallel to northern Spain\u2019s coastline for more than 600 km from Ir\u00fan on the French border to Ribadeo, then another 200 km inland through Galicia to Santiago de Compostela. Many pilgrims on the Norte are looking for a less-visited alternative to the Camino Franc\u00e9s. It\u2019s similar in length, but in the Middle Ages far fewer pilgrims used it, as is still true today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although some sections run along beautiful beaches and deep cliffs, most of the route is inland. On some days, you won’t see the ocean at all, and instead of sand you\u2019ll have to walk a lot on asphalt. You pass through large cities\u2014 San Sebasti\u00e1n<\/strong>, Bilbao<\/strong>, Santander<\/strong>, Gij\u00f3n<\/strong>. Also lovely coastal towns such as Comillas, Ribadesella, and Luarca<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The route is considered difficult, due to the mountainous sections of the Basque Country. There are several long sections\u2014over 30 km a day. But long beaches and incredibly beautiful cliffs on this route will give you some of the most stunning landscapes you can find on the Camino de Santiago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended reading: My Camino del Norte \u2013 journey along Northern Spain by the ocean<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Two weeks through the green mountains of Asturias and the hills of Galicia<\/strong> Camino Primitivo (the Original Way)<\/strong>, about 320 km long, follows in the footsteps of the first recorded pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint James, made by King Alfonso II of Asturias from Oviedo in the 820s<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is considered one of the most challenging routes due to the hilly terrain for the first eight or nine days. That\u2019s why it\u2019s impossible in winter because of snow in the mountains. But the ascents and descents only enhance the beauty of the scenery, and the route is achievable for any prepared walker<\/strong>. The number of pilgrims on this route is relatively small, but its popularity is growing each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you leave the hills, you reach the city of Lugo<\/strong>, surrounded by a 2.2 km excellently preserved Roman wall. In the town of Melide, the Primitivo joins the Camino Franc\u00e9s for the last 55 km to Santiago. Here the number of pilgrims increases drastically and you will immediately notice how the route atmosphere changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I walked this route in 2024, with very lucky weather in September\u2014almost no rain. So I recommend this time of year\u2014compared to spring and early summer it is much drier here. Most people who walked the Primitivo in spring complained about very wet weather and muddy paths, because most of this route is away from paved roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended reading: My Camino Primitivo \u2013 on foot from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n From Santiago to the \u201cend of the earth\u201d<\/strong> This route does not lead to Santiago but instead goes from it to the small fishing ports of Fisterra<\/strong> (Finisterre) and Mux\u00eda on the dramatic coast of Costa da Morte in Galicia<\/strong>. Traditionally, most pilgrims don\u2019t want to stop when they reach Santiago. Three to four extra days to Fisterra<\/strong> or Mux\u00eda (four to five days for both places) could be the perfect conclusion for your Camino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The name Fisterra\/Finisterre means “End of the Earth\u201d: surrounded by cliffs and crowned by the Cabo Fisterra<\/strong> lighthouse (Finisterre Cape), it truly feels like the end of the earth. In Mux\u00eda, a dramatically beautiful 18th century church stands on a rocky seashore. It marks the place where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared in a stone boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is about 86 km from Santiago de Compostela to Fisterra or Mux\u00eda. The distance from Mux\u00eda to Finisterre is 30 km. The route runs mostly through flat countryside; only before reaching Cee (a resort town before Finisterre) will you encounter hills to cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a very quiet and deserted route as most pilgrims travel to Fisterra or Mux\u00eda by bus. So, give yourself a chance to reach the End of the Earth, enjoying the views and the last kilometers of your hiking adventure\u2014possibly the best of your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recommended reading about a short and quiet version of the Camino:<\/strong> Short, relatively easy route within Galicia<\/strong> The “English Way” is about 115 km (five days) to Santiago from Ferrol<\/strong>. It runs in the north of Galicia. Its name comes from medieval pilgrims from Britain, Ireland, and other northern places who sailed to ports like Ferrol and then traveled by land to Santiago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This route is for those who have very limited time. Because of this, the popularity of the Ingl\u00e9s has sharply increased over the last decade. Around 15,000 pilgrims walk it each year. It includes segments along scenic coastal bays as well as sections through green rural landscapes and through medieval towns of Pontedeume<\/strong> and Betanzos<\/strong>. An alternative starting point is the lovely city of A Coru\u00f1a<\/strong>, which is only two to three days\u2019 walk from Santiago. If you wish, you can combine Ferrol with A Coru\u00f1a.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Camino Franc\u00e9s<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
830 km<\/strong>
Difficulty ***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere to start<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Camino Portugu\u00e9s (from Porto)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
280 km
Difficulty *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Camino del Norte<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
850 km
Difficulty ***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Camino Primitivo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
320 km
Difficulty ****<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Camino Finisterre – Mux\u00eda<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
120 km
Difficulty *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
My Camino Moz\u00e1rabe \u2013 St James\u2019s Way through Andalusia<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nCamino Ingl\u00e9s – English Way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
120 km
Difficulty *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nCamino Routes Comparison<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n