Nowadays, more and more people are choosing to go on walking holidays, rather than your average vacation getaway. This is because walking holidays give you the chance to really get out and explore the world and everything that it has to offer. One of the best walking holidays you can choose to take is undeniably the Camino de Santiago. It has a variety of different routes that you can take to get to Santiago de Compostela. The capital of Galicia is actually a historic city, complete with a beautiful cathedral. There is definitely a lot to see there, but getting there is all the fun!
Here are a few of the best Camino de Santiago routes:
#1 – Camino del Norte
The Camino del Norte is actually not as well known as many of the others. It is sometimes referred to as the Camino del Costa. It travels along the coast, giving you views of the sea along the way. For those that love a beach view, this could be a great route to take. It is historically known for being one of the oldest routes to Santiago de Compostela. This route is also well developed, making it ideal for new travelers. It starts out in the small town of Irun, and runs alongside the coastline. The full distance is 825 km.
#2 – Camino de Madrid
The Camino de Madrid is one of the less popular routes. If you are looking for a walking holiday that is not too packed with other tourists, this may be the route for you. Along the way, there are a lot of great historic places to stop in at and visit. From churches and signs, to other relics, this route offers a lot in the way of culture. This route starts out in Madrid, and is only 322 km long. It has a pretty decent terrain, but it can be challenging in the beginning as you go through some hilly areas.
#3 – Via de la Plata
The Via de la Plata is a great route to take if you are looking for a longer holiday. This is actually the longest route leading to Santiago de Compostela. It was not really populous until just a few decades ago, when there were a lot of upgrades made. It starts out in the lower region of Spain, and is 1000 km long. That means that it can take up to 8 weeks to make the entire trip. The good news is that you can start the trip further in if you need to, based on how much time you have. Take in views of Roman architecture and culture all along the way.
#4 – Camino Frances
The Camino Frances is the most popular route along the way. It is 780-kilometers long, and starts out at St. Jean Pied de Port. Since it is more popular than others, chances are you will meet some people from different walks of life right away. The route is really very built up, and has great infrastructure. This means it is great even for those that tend to get lost. Just follow the road and the signs and take in the sights on this journey.
#5 – Camino Ingles
Finally, we have the Camino Ingles. This route takes you through the northern parts of Spain. It is actually the shortest route, at just 118 km. That makes it a great choice for those that don’t have a month to spend hiking and walking. It does have some patches of rough terrain, however it has good markings so you can be sure you will not get lost.
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