Camino de Santiago Trail

A classic long-distance pilgrimage across northern Spain walked by thousands each year.

Time to Hike: About 780 km typically completed in 30-35 days at a steady pace with regular rest days.

Best Time to Go: Spring to early autumn - April to October are the main walkable months, with July and August busiest.

Getting there: Begin most commonly in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side and finish in Santiago de Compostela; many walkers travel east-to-west.

Costs: Budget travel is possible - municipal albergues cost a few euros and daily expenses often fall in a modest range; private hostels and hotel upgrades raise costs. No national permit fee is required but carry a pilgrim credential for albergue access and stamps.

Difficulty: Mostly moderate terrain with well-marked paths, occasional steep ascents such as the early Pyrenees crossing, long daily distances and common hazards of blisters, heat and rain.

The Camino de Santiago Frances crosses varied landscapes - from the steep green passes of the Pyrenees into the vineyards of La Rioja, the cereal plains around Burgos and the oak and eucalyptus woods of Galicia. Towns and villages supply regular services, with medieval cathedrals, Romanesque bridges and waymarkers at every stage.

Accommodation is dominated by pilgrim refuges called albergues - a mix of municipal, church-run and private facilities offering dorm beds and a social evening atmosphere. Highlights include the citadel city of Pamplona and the cathedral complex in Santiago de Compostela, plus smaller cultural stops like Logroño and León. The route’s long history and UNESCO recognition make it both a physical challenge and a cultural journey.

Major international access points for the route include flights into Bilbao or Santiago de Compostela; many walkers also arrive via train or bus from Madrid or French rail hubs to reach Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. From those airports take regional trains or buses to the nearest stage towns.

Most people start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and walk westwards to Santiago de Compostela, though shorter starts such as Sarria are common for those aiming to complete the last qualifying 100 km for a Compostela certificate.

The principal walking season runs April to October when stages are reliably passable and most albergues are open. July and August are hottest and busiest; spring and autumn offer cooler weather but more rain and fewer crowds.

No formal permits are needed to walk, but book private refuges in peak months and carry a pilgrim credential to use municipal albergues and collect stamps. Early season walkers should expect possible snow in the higher Pyrenees and regular weather changes in Galicia late in the year.