Children on the Camino

There are an increasing number of children walking the Camino with their parents, although it is unusual to see family groups outside the school holidays. There are often school and scout parties of teenagers walking the last 100km from Sarria. Most refuges will accept children and some will be able to accommodate families in separate rooms if these are available.

Phone ahead to find out if an albergue has suitable accommodation for young children and if they are allowed to stay. You may all have to sleep in a mixed sex dormitory. You may also need to keep young children with you at all times.  Spain allows unaccompanied minors to stay in albergues from the age of 16. 

We advise trying walking or biking with your children, starting with day-trips, then a weekend or a week while camping or hostelling, at a cooler time of year, nearer home. Then you can decide if your family is ready to tackle the Camino.

See Ivar Revke’s Pilgrim Forum for discussions on this subject, such as this one.