Is there a minimum distance? The minimum mileages for pilgrims who want the 'Compostela'. Expand To qualify for the Compostela, pilgrims must walk at least the last 100km into Santiago. The distance required for horseriders is 100 km and cyclists 200 km. Pilgrims should remember to obtain 2 stamps per day in their credencial or pilgrim record over the final 100/200 km distance. A certificado is available for those who arrive at Santiago as pilgrims, but not meeting the Cathedral's requirements for the compostela i.e. pilgrims without religious or spiritual motivation. In addition to the Compostela or certificado, the pilgrim office in Santiago now also issues an additional Certificate of Distance to those pilgrims who would like this. It costs 3€ and records the route which the pilgrim walked, the starting point, the amount of kilometres and the date of arrival in Santiago.
What about going in winter? Advice for the Winter Pilgrim! Expand If you are thinking of going in winter, remember that the meseta is on average 800m above sea level, and that the passes over the Pyrenees, the Montes de León and O Cebreiro on the Camino francés, and the passes of A Canda and Padornelo on the Via de la Plata all reach about 1,400m. It can be very cold, foggy, wet, and windy, and you can meet deep snow. Accommodation may be less plentiful, since not all the albergues operate in the winter. Those that are open may have little or no heating so a good sleeping bag is essential. However, with sensible planning and precautions, winter pilgrimage is feasible. Please follow these guidelines: ALWAYS take local advice about weather conditions; disregard it at your peril. We cannot emphasise too strongly: MOUNTAINS ARE DANGEROUS and LOCAL PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. We know of pilgrims who have died while attempting to cross the Pyrenees in bad weather and there are more who have run into severe difficulties in sudden blizzards or fog. Note, that the Napoleon Route of the Camino Francés out of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is closed off from November to March each year and any other time when it is not safe to take this path. In this case, you must take the Valcarlos route (also signposted with Camino waymarks). Avoid going alone if you possibly can. Take warm/waterproof clothing and boots and equipment appropriate for the conditions, bearing in mind these can change abruptly and without warning. Wearing a reflective vest is a legal requirement for cycling or road walking in dark or poor visibility conditions. Take a compass and mobile phone. Tell people what your plans are, arranging for them to call the emergency services if you haven't phoned by an agreed time to report your safe arrival. If you are starting at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, ask for advice about weather and conditions at Acceuil Saint-Jacques but remember not all volunteers here are local, so check the local weather websites: Meteo France for St Jean Pied de Port Aemet.es for Roncesvalles If in any doubt at St Jean Pied de Port, always go by the lower road, it is less attractive than the higher-level route, but since it follows along the road in many places and goes through villages, much safer in bad weather. The CSJ stock a small booklet with tips and advice on this, entitled The Winter Pilgrim, by Alison Raju.
What is the path like? Information on the kind of terrains to expect on Camino. Expand All the routes are varied, from footpath to metalled highway. Some of the footpaths are gravelled, some remain deep mud, some are strewn with boulders. Some road stretches remain (though local authorities along the Camino francés have made big efforts to create separate pilgrim footpaths alongside the highway). The pass over the Pyrenees from St Jean-Pied-de-Port reaches 1400 m, as do the Montes de León and the pass at O Cebreiro. For the height profiles of the le Puy route, the Paris route, the Camino francés, and the Via de la Plata, click here. The southern part of the Via de la Plata follows the old roman road from Seville to Astorga. Many sections of it are exposed; you cross several roman bridges, and the many of the roman mile-stones are still visible. The standard waymarks on all the Spanish routes are yellow arrows, painted on walls, trees, telegraph poles and rocks. They are generally plentiful, and it's hard to get lost. Sometimes you will see the standard Camino de Santiago shell symbol as a sign or tile, or local variants of this. The standard waymarkers on the routes in France are the Grande Randonnée red and white stripes, as here:
I have difficulty with hills Advice for pilgrims who struggle with elevation. Expand There is no route which completely avoids hills. If you really are unable to manage any kind of elevation then the Camino might not be for you. Careful planning would be required using a good guidebook, website or app, to arrange alternative transport for the hilly sections. Remember, you can skip sections if you need to. The only rule (if you wanted the Certificado or Compostela is that you walk the last 100km and prove it by collecting two stamps a day in your pilgrim passport). The flattest final stretch would probably be the Camino Portugués. If starting at Tui or Valença or Baiona, where you'd encounter fewer hills than any of the other 100km start points. For basic profile maps on all routes:http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/ Please note that the CSJ has the St Christopher Fund to help with expenses for a companion to travel with elderly or frail pilgrims who need this kind of support. Contact us for more details if you think that this may help you.
Do I need to speak Spanish, Portuguese or French? Suggestions for brushing up on your languages before setting off. Expand It is possible to get by without, but on less frequented routes where there is little pilgrim-specific accommodation it is better to have at least basic Spanish. On the busier routes you will meet various non-French and non-Spanish pilgrims who generally will speak some English, but you should not expect to meet many English-speaking Spaniards, pilgrim or otherwise. Your enjoyment of France and Spain and the people you meet will be greatly enhanced if you can find the time to learn some basic French or Spanish (hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and enough vocabulary to use in shops and restaurants and to ask for a bed or room for the night). We strongly suggest investing in an evening class, or a teach-yourself book/audio course, or trying one of the many free online learning resources, such as the BBC or apps such as Duolingo, Memrise or Babbel. You may consider buying a small lightweight phrasebook too. We offer the book Camino Lingo in our online shop. The Instituto Cervantes, 102 Eaton Square, London SW1W 9AN (020 7245 0621) offers Spanish language classes. Their website is here. Or how about a Spanish language course at the University of Santiago itself? The University also offers Spanish language courses which include a week on the Camino or Spanish language courses for hospitaleros. The City Hall School of Languages in Léon offers a one-week Spanish for Pilgrims course. There is also the newly-created not-for-profit resource Spanish for the Camino from María Seco, a Spaniard living in Pontevedra on the Camino Portugués, who offers online Spanish lessons specifically aimed at pilgrims.
What is the weather like? The sort of weather to expect on Camino, depending on area and time of year. Expand The weather is unpredictable most of the year, so you should be prepared for rain (particularly in Galicia), day-time heat and cold nights, especially at high altitude. The summer months can be extremely hot, especially on the meseta, the high and very exposed plain between Burgos and León on the Camino Francés, and on the more southerly sections of the Via de la Plata. Seville is especially hot, with summertime temperatures in the 30s and regularly reaching the high 20s in May and October. See our publication "The Winter Pilgrim" for advice on doing the Camino in winter months. French weather forecasts Spanish weather forecasts Portuguese weather forecasts For a truly formidable array of weather information covering most of Europe, though especially Spain - visit web weather archive site. And visit the Pilgrim forum for up-to-the-minute exchanges about the weather.
What do I do for money? How much to budget for whilst on Camino, where you can draw money from etc. Expand You should plan to spend about €30 per day on the Camino frances if you stay in pilgrim accommodation, assemble your own picnic lunches and self-cater, or you can spend rather more if you eat out all the time, treat yourself to regular nights in a hotel or casa rural and pay to have your luggage carried. Recently returned pilgrims report that some other routes such as the Camino del Norte are more expensive, and France is more expensive than Spain. Albergues usually vary between €5 - €15 per person per night, hostals, pensiones, casa rurales, hotels €20 plus per person per night, depending on the quality of the establishment and whether you have a single or shared room. But what about this free accommodation people talk about? Well, there are indeed some free municipal albergues on the Vía de la Plata. There are many other albergues, usually those run by pilgrim assocations or religious groups, which do not charge a fixed price but are run on a voluntary contribution basis (donativo). This does not mean they should be regarded as free, as is sometimes stated in various online forum comments, rather that they rely on voluntary donations to keep open and that it is up to you to ensure you pay a fair contribution for your stay. Make sure you have cash to place in the collection box. The pilgrim menu is anything between €9 and €20, breakfast might be €3 - €5, and lunch another €5 - €10. Don’t forget to budget for extra purchases such as drinks, various toiletries and pharmacy products, and to have access to an emergency fund to cover unexpected events such as extra rest days in a hotel, or replacing lost or damaged kit. Many albergues and small shops request payment in cash and you may find 50% of your purchases are in the form of cash. There are banks and cashpoints in all of the cities and towns, also some of the larger villages. Consider getting a currency card which can be preloaded with a set amount of cash for a fixed exchange rate and then topped up by text, phone or internet as often as you need. One example is the Prepago card from Correos. Finally - use ATMs when the bank is open, if possible. If your card is "eaten" by the machine you should be able to get it back quickly....
What is a typical day on the Camino like? There is no one way of doing the Camino, but there is a traditional daily routine! Expand Hopefully, there is no such thing as a typical day on the Camino! But the traditional daily route expects that the pilgrim will start walking early; on average setting off at about 7am. They do this for two reasons: firstly to avoid the heat of the day (typically around 3pm), and secondly because they can get a good 6 or 7 hours of walking in and still arrive at their final destination for the day by early afternoon, giving them time to rest, shower, do laundry, explore their surroundings, find food and meet other pilgrims. The usual lunch time for Spaniards is about 3pm, so this is a good time to hit the local bars and restaurants too. If you're not booking your accommodation in advance, there is an additional advantage to setting off earlier. Many of the albergues will open in the early afternoon, so if you plan your arrival for then, you'll be among the first in the queue for a bed.
Common ailments on the Camino Tips for how to deal with blisters, sprains, tendonitis, sunburn, dehydration and insect bites. Expand Pilgrims unfortunately suffer the same coughs, colds and stomach upsets as anyone else. There are pharmacies in all the towns and in most of the larger villages for advice and medicines for minor ailments. If you feel very unwell please ask the hospitalero or pharmacist to direct you to the local clinic or hospital. In case of emergency call 112. Please note the advice here is very general; if you have specific medical conditions that need special management or are allergic to or cannot take any of the over-the-counter medicines mentioned or have any concerns at all about your health, this advice may not be suitable for you and you should take professional advice from your doctor before starting your Camino. The main pilgrim-specific ailments are: Blisters: Your feet need proper care and attention every day to keep you walking comfortably. You should prepare your footcare regime before you set out on pilgrimage. Choose well-fitting boots or walking shoes and break them in. Decide what type of socks or combination of sock layers you will wear and try them out before your Camino. Also decide whether you want to coat your feet with silicon-based preparations, vaseline or sports products like Bodyglide to prevent friction. Don’t have a pedicure just before a Camino as soft feet may be more prone to blisters. Wash your feet well every day, dry thoroughly and try to leave them exposed to the air as much as possible in the evening. Keep your nails trimmed and treat any fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Wearing flip flops or crocs in the showers will limit your exposure to such infections. Avoid walking with wet feet. If your feet get wet, dry out your boots as best you can and change into dry socks before continuing. Some people air their feet and change socks when they stop for a rest. Do what works for you. If you do develop hotspots, gel dressings like Compeed, lambswool or zinc oxide tape work very well at protecting the sore areas. The general medical consensus seems to be that blisters should be left alone (since the unbroken skin acts as a barrier to infection) and simply covered with a protective dressing before you start walking again. Larger blisters may have to be padded with a cushioned dressing of some sort that is taped in place. Very painful blisters that prevent you from walking may have to be drained with a sterile needle, cleaned and treated with antiseptic and dressed. This may be best left to a medical professional to avoid risk of infection. Dressings for broken blisters should be changed daily. If you have diabetes you should always seek medical advice for foot injuries of any sort. If you do develop very painful blisters, a rest day can work wonders. There are as many different opinions on types of boots, socks, anti-friction methods and dressings as there are reasons for going on Camino. Good outdoor shops should be able to advise you or visit the CSJ office to talk to experienced pilgrims. You can also check out Ivar Rekve’s Pilgrim Forum for footcare discussions. Dehydration and Sunburn: Use sunscreen, wear a sunhat and cover the back of your neck with a scarf or shirt collar. Sunglasses and UVA resistant clothing also help. Try to avoid walking in the hottest part of the day. Drink water before you leave in the morning, keep drinking regularly throughout the day, don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol. If you start to feel tired and headache-y and begin to pass smaller amounts of more concentrated urine, stop walking, rest somewhere cool and shady and rehydrate with water and if possible an electrolyte drink or oral rehydration salts. If you start to feel very unwell, urgent medical advice should be sought. Sprains: Wearing boots with suitable ankle support should help prevent the most common sprains i.e. twisted ankles. If you do suffer anything other than a very minor injury it is wise to seek medical attention. Tendonitis: Correctly fitted boots, proper hydration and stretching before and after exercise help to prevent muscle and tendon strains. Also, try not to push yourself too hard in the first few days, as most pilgrims with tendonitis develop this after their first week of walking because they are going too far, too fast. If you develop aches and pains that you cannot easily shake off you should get this checked out by a medical professional. Please note there are various physiotherapists and other practitioners offering sports massage along the Camino francés. Insect bites: Hydrocortisone cream should soothe itchy bites, if you have an allergic reaction to bites antihistamine tablets may help, a pharmacist will be able to advise you on suitable treatment. If you suspect you have been bitten by bedbugs, please see our section on Bed bugs on the Camino for advice about what to do. If you feel very unwell seek medical advice. For more information on the above topics, or any topic not covered in our FAQ, further information and discussion can be found on the Pilgrim Forum.
What do I do for water on the Camino? How much to carry with you, where is and is not safe to drink from. Expand On most sections of the Camino Francés you are unlikely to need carry more than 1 litre of water at any time because there are many places along the route to refill your bottle or buy drinks. However, on remoter routes, or in very warm weather, or on stretches of the Francés where there are longer gaps between water supplies, such as crossing the Pyrenees or the meseta, it is advisable to carry 2 litres. Always check in your guidebook prior to setting out each day to see what water refill points are available. Tap water in France is generally safe to drink, however a few smaller communities are not connected to the mains. You will find public taps, drinking fountains and bars/cafes on the way where you can refill your water bottles. Many pilgrim guides also state that all French cemeteries have a tap which is safe to drink from but recent reports suggest that such water has caused illness. If in any doubt you should ask: L'eau (du robinet) est-elle potable? Is the (tap) water drinkable? Tap water in Spain is generally safe to drink in the major cities, indeed some places, such as Madrid and Granada, pride themselves on the exceptional quality of their water supply. Elsewhere the quality of water may vary. Some coastal areas rely on desalinated water which can taste quite unpleasant. Other areas rely on underground tanks for water if the mains supply gets interrupted. In more remote areas it is best to stick to bottled water unless you are sure the tap water is safe. Ask: ¿Es potable el agua (del grifo)? Is the (tap) water drinkable? As in France, you will find drinking fountains and bars where you can refill your water bottle. If a fountain is for human consumption it should have a sign saying Agua Potable, if not drinkable No Potable or Sin Purificación. ¿Es potable el agua (de la fuente)? Is the (fountain) water drinkable? Please don’t drink out of rivers or streams, however temptingly cool and clear they look, since many harbour bacteria or parasites that can cause stomach upsets.
Bedbugs on the Camino Advice about what to do to avoid them, and what do to if you've been bitten. Expand All albergues are well aware of the problem of potential bedbug infestation and most have procedures in place to deal with outbreaks and to assist pilgrims who have come into contact with bedbugs. Please do not be deterred from embarking on pilgrimage by the thought of bedbugs, most pilgrims report having no contact with them at all during their journey. Bedbugs are not a unique feature of the Camino, but are found the world over, from the lowliest hostel to the most luxurious hotels. They are not a sign of poor cleanliness but are simply an unwelcome consequence of the enormous rise in global travel in recent years. Here are some bedbug facts to arm yourself with before you go. Bedbugs are small, flat, apple-pip shaped insects that feed on human or animal blood. They tend to hide away in dark areas such as bed frames during daytime but come out at night to feed, attracted by the carbon dioxide emitted by sleeping humans. They are not restricted to beds but can infest furniture and fixtures too. Bedbugs are not known to transmit diseases in temperate climates, but for some people their bites leave painful and itchy welts. Occasionally people have more severe allergic reactions to bites and need medical attention. Bites are often in a distinctive line or zig zag pattern and because the insects are attracted to carbon dioxide in the breath, are often mostly visible around the neck and upper chest. Bedbugs can crawl into bags, luggage, sleeping bags or clothing while you sleep, thereby hitching a lift to the next hostel. Once bedbugs are established in a dormitory, the authorities have to be notified and the albergue shut down for fumigation. So, what can you do to minimise your risks? Before you go: You can buy undersheets or sleeping bags that have been chemically treated to repel bedbugs. Some people recommend silk liners as insects find it hard to penetrate silk, others spray their sleeping bags and rucksacks with insecticide. In most cases the chemical treatments are permethrin-based. Please take advice from the retailer and always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions if you decide to spray any kit, since permethrin is very toxic to cats and aquatic creatures, and can be toxic in liquid form to humans by skin contact or inhalation. Pack a small torch and consider bringing anti-histamine pills if you normally use these at home for insect bites. On Camino: When you arrive at an albergue, examine the bunk frame, mattress and any pillows, paying particular attention to cracks, joints and seams. Use a torch if necessary. You are looking for spots of blood, clusters of black specks, cast-off skins and live bedbugs. Also check any cracks in nearby walls or other furniture for tell-tale signs. If you find anything untoward, please inform the hospitalero discreetly. If you cannot be moved into another room then you should go to another albergue. Don't spray chemicals in the albergue to try to deal with it yourself. Don't put your rucksack on or under or against the bed. Keep your rucksack tightly closed when you are not unpacking or packing. Consider sealing it in a plastic bag overnight. Try to keep covered up in bed since bedbugs usually feed on exposed skin. Shake out your sleeping bag thoroughly in the morning before packing it. If you have been bitten: Tell the hospitalero immediately and discreetly. If you do not notice the bites until you have walked on, tell the hospitalero at the next albergue that you stay at. They should be able to assist you with washing and treating your pack and possessions and may put you in a segregated room to avoid further spread of bugs. Try not to scratch itchy bites. Get advice and treatment from the local pharmacy, or if you feel unwell, seek medical attention. If you don't have hospitalero assistance, wash all your clothes in hot water and if available, use a dryer on a hot setting. Outdoors, take everything out of your rucksack, turn it inside out and open all pockets and leave in the sun for a few hours. You can spray your pack with insecticide (only use according to instructions and keep away from food stuffs and eating utensils, water sources and animals) before leaving in the sun. When you get home, do not bring your rucksack indoors, but keep sealed in a plastic bag in a shed or garage. Wash and tumble dry all your clothes at high temperature, carefully check other items, spray with insecticide if necessary. Alternatively, wrap whole bag in plastic and leave in a freezer at -17.8C (0F) for 4 days. You can see pictures and information on bedbugs and signs of infestation here and bites here. Please remember, this is likely to be the closest you will ever get to them!