Santiago Way
The Santiago Way
El camino of Santiago (St. James Way) can be tackled by walking, cycling or horse riding, for spiritual enrichment and to discover its natural beauty and heritage. It is the trip of a lifetime, a unique experience that will continue to inspire even after the journey is over.
The most popular ways are:
The Northern Way: along the North Coast and through the Basque Country
The Northern Way is a magnificent coastal Camino starting in San Sebastian, located in the Basque Country.
The beautiful trail winds its way through mountains and along the coast of the Cantabrian Sea, with views that contrast the deep blue of the sea with the intense green of the mountain, speckled with countless “caserios” (traditional Basque farmhouses).
Along this route you will discover how the marine and agricultural cultures coexist and interact as well as the urban and the rural environment. You will get the chance to taste the cuisine and enjoy the hospitality of the locals. Following the lush Northern coast of Spain into Cantabria and Asturias. You might like to sample the region’s delicious cuisine or go for a swim in one of the many beaches along the way.
The French Way (El Camino Frances) which starts in St. Jean Pied de Port and crosses the Pyrenees along the Spanish-French border to Santiago de Compostela.
Following you can check the stages and distance:
Saint Jean Pied de Port - Roncesvalles (25 km)
Roncesvalles - Larrasoaña (28 km)
Larrasoaña - Cizur Menor (20 km)
Cizur Menor - Puente La Reina (19 km)
Puente La Reina - Estella (22 km)
Estella - Los Arcos (21 km)
Los Arcos - Viana (19 km)
Viana - Navarrete (22 km)
Navarrete - Najera (16 km)
Najera - Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21 km)
Santo Domingo de la Calzada - Belorado (22 km)
Belorado - San Juan de Ortega (24 km)
San Juan de Ortega - Burgos (27 km)
Burgos - Hornillos del Camino (18 km)
Hornillos del Camino - Castrojeriz (20 km)
Castrojeriz - Fromista (25 km)
Fromista - Carrion de los Condes (19 km)
Carrión de los Condes - Ledigos (23 km)
Sahagun - El Burgo Raneros (18 km)
El Burgo Raneros- Mansilla de la Mulas (19 km)
Mansilla de las Mulas - Leon (28 km)
León - Villadangos del Paramo (21 km)
Villadangos del Paramo - Astorga (26 km)
Astorga - Rabanal del Camino (20 km)
Rabanal del Camino - Molinaseca (25 km)
Molinaseca - Villafranca del Bierzo (30 km)
Villafranca del Bierzo - O Cebreiro (30 km)
O Cebreiro - Triacastela (21 km)
Triacastela - Sarria (22 km)
Sarria - Portomarin (22 km)
Portomarin - Palas de Rei (24 km)
Santiago de Compostela
Before you start your Camino de Santiago, make sure you get your pilgrim passport (credential). The stamped credential is also necessary for the pilgrim to obtain a Compostela Pilgrim Certificate on reaching Santiago de Compostela. You must walk at least the last 100 km to Santiago de Compostela or 200 km if you are travelling by bike or horse.
The scallop shell is one of the most iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago and today it is used to guide those pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostela along the many different routes. Painted on tiles, walls, path, etc… the scallop shell (or ‘vieira’ in Galician and Spanish) will help travellers find their way.
Compostela Certificates are issued free of charge by the Pilgrims Office in Santiago but donations are welcome.
