What is El Camino De Santiago?

I recently completed El Camino de Santiago (translation: the Way of Saint James), a religious pilgrimage that ends at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. According to Americans on the Camino, the Way of Saint James has been calling pilgrims for more than 1000 years. Depending on where you choose to begin your Camino, the journey can be between 100km to 2000km.

In the early 20^th century, walking the Camino de Santiago fell out of fashion, but a resurgence in the practice has arrived in the 21^st. This seems due to three things:

1. Shirley MacLaine's book, "Out on a Limb," where she details her walk along the Frances Way (one of the major Camino routes);
2. UNESCO designating the Frances Way a World Heritage Site; and,
3. Emilio Estevez's movie, "The Way," starring Martin Sheen.

In fact, based on figures kept by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the Caminos, which saw a decline down to just 1000 or so trekkers a year in the '70s, now welcomes more than 100,000 pilgrims annually on the various Caminos.

What is a Pilgrimage?

Throughout much of history there have been major journeys that devout individuals have taken to prove their loyalty, answer the request of their leaders, or improve their spiritual status, or have their sins absolved. Just a few of the famous pilgrimages include:

• Walking or riding the Camino de Santiago, Spain;
• Walking to Mecca, Saudi Arabia;
• Riding to Canterbury, England'
• Climbing to Machu Picchu, Peru and,
• Visiting the 88 temples of The Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan.

People who embark on a pilgrimage aren't only religious or spiritual. Many walk for joy, fun, health, or as a vacation. (See "11 Reasons Why to Walk the Camino de Santiago".) 

Where to Commence Your Camino de Santiago

Traditionally, for Europeans at least, the starting point of any Camino or pilgrimage was the walker's front door. You'd literally leave your home and begin walking toward the destination.

To receive the compostelo, recognition from the Catholic Church for your journey, you must only walk 100km (about 60 miles), or bike or travel by horseback 200km (about 120 miles). But, these days there are several major routes the majority of pilgrims walk, including:

• The English Way (110 km);
• The Portugues (240km);
• The Primitivo (285 km);
• The France Way (most popular: 774km);
• The Northern Route (825km); and, 
• The Via de La Plata + Sanabres (1000km).

By far, the most popular route is The France Way. For me, I chose the Via de La Plata. I wanted a less-traveled route. It's a long walk! It's also an amazing experience. I hope this inspires you to at least consider spending a few weeks, or like me, months, walking across and experiencing the culture and landscape of Spain. 

Buen Camino!