Hiking the Camino de Santiago is a profoundly rewarding experience, but it requires thoughtful preparation. With countless blogs, videos, and books available on the subject, we almost decided against adding another one. However, we realized our unique perspective—shaped by our journey—is worth sharing. Ultimately, it's essential to do your due diligence to determine what's best for you.
Based on our experience, here are some tips to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Notably, we completed the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2022, which involved living outdoors for six months and covering nearly 2,200 miles (or 3,541 kilometers). This experience has given us different expectations for hiking the Camino de Santiago.
Although there are numerous apps for the Camino, we chose not to depend on them. The trail is clearly marked, so we never worried about getting lost. We experimented with Wise Pilgrim and Camino Ninja but ultimately preferred Google Maps and All Trails. However, apps can help plan your daily distances, as Google Maps and the Camino Trail offer different routes.
We started our journey in Porto, beginning on the Coastal route before transitioning to the Central Route, then the Spiritual route, and concluding in Santiago. We hiked in early September 2024 and were fortunate to have excellent weather.
L: Day 1 from Porto. C: Amazing coastal views. R: Miles of boardwalk on the Coastal/Litoral route)
1. Choose the Right Route
There are multiple paths to reach Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Here are some popular options:
Camino Francés: The most popular route, known for its rich history and numerous amenities. Approximately 775-800 km (480-500 miles), average 25-35 days
Camino Portugués (Porto-Santiago): Offers beautiful coastal views and a less crowded path. We chose this route, starting in Porto, Portugal. We recommend taking a day to rest and explore Porto before beginning your hike. We started in Porto and headed towards the coast along the Coastal Route, then moved into the Central Route after Vila de Condo and the Spiritual Route after Pontevedra. We finally met up again on the Central Route to end in Santiago. It took us 2 weeks to complete, with 2 days off. Approximately 240km (150 miles, average 10-12 days. The Spiritual Route will add some kilometers and a boat ride (see below for the reservation link). We walked a total of 270 km (168 miles) in 2 weeks with two zero days (no walking).
Camino del Norte: A scenic route along the northern coast of Spain. Approximately 825 km (512miles), average 37-40 days
Camino Primitivo: The original route is known for its challenging terrain and stunning landscapes. Approximately 320 km (200 miles), average 14-16 days
Remember to factor in the extra miles you'll need to walk for accommodation off the trail. If your schedule allows, ensure you take some zero days (no walking) to enjoy the adventure and give your legs a rest.
2. Pack Light
Backpack: Aim for a lightweight 25L—35L backpack, as you don’t need much. We used our Zpacks Nero Ultra 38L backpack to carry additional clothing for our journey through Spain post-Camino.
Clothing: Bring quick-drying, versatile clothing. Our hiking clothes included three pairs of underwear, two pairs of socks, one short-sleeve shirt, one long-sleeve shirt, one pair of shorts, and one pair of pants. We washed our clothes daily in the sink. You need gear for the weather and a change of clothes for the evening. Most of our clothes are made from merino wool, including our underwear! The fabric is breathable, quick dry, and odor-minimizing, but it comes with a cost. However, we found it worth it.
We like Eddie Bauer, Ice Breaker, SmartWool, Unbound Merino, Ridge Merino, and Western Rise clothing brands. Check out our blog on men’s travel wear here.
Footwear: Invest in broken-in hiking or trail shoes and comfortable sandals (weather permitting) for the evenings. While I didn’t wear them, I would consider walking in Crocs due to the extensive road walking, including cobblestones. Liza wore Kuru Footwear (Atom) due to her plantar fasciitis, which she liked. I wore Altra Lone Peak sneakers.
(L: Road/Bridge walking. C: An Australian with an interesting choice of luggage! R: Zpack Nero bag with sit pad in outside mesh and more road walking)
3. Essential Gear
Sleeping Bag: Bring a lightweight sleeping bag or liner if you plan on staying at an albergue (hostel). We didn’t stay at an albergue, so we skipped this.
Water Bottle: Carry a refillable water bottle. The water is potable, but we used a filter for extra safety. We prefer the Sawyer filter as we used it on the AT trail, but there are other options.
First Aid Kit: Include blister treatment such as Luko tape, pain relievers, and personal medications.
Massage Ball: I highly recommend a small massage ball for post-hike muscle relief.
Walking Poles: These are useful for stability and reducing knee strain, but many pilgrims do not commonly use them, so we opted not to use them.
Lightweight foldable sit pad: We each carried a lightweight foldable sit pad, which came in handy for our picnic lunches and stretching. Plus, it kept our bums nice and clean!
A lightweight umbrella is worthwhile. Shade is scarce on the Camino, so carrying an umbrella was a game changer for us, especially on the Spiritual route up those hills.
“Piss off Rag” - a must-have for women hiking the trail and in restrooms that run out of toilet paper. It is odorless and can be hung on your backpack to dry. You can handwash it at night, and it is dry by morning.
4. Physical Preparation
Training: Increase your walking distance gradually and practice with your fully loaded backpack. We reduced our load after realizing our bags were too heavy during training.
Test out your shoes before walking. Ensure you walk at least 8 miles to understand how long they fit.
Walk, walk, and walk. Pack lunch and keep on walking.
(L: Sunny Spiritual Route, C: Endless cornfields, but they never served them, R: Mile Markers)
5. Health and Safety
Stay Hydrated: Public fountains are available, and we used a filter as a precaution.
Sun Protection: Wear a hat and sunglasses and apply sunscreen regularly. Also, bring ChapStick with sun protection and a lightweight umbrella for the sun and if it rains. We used our umbrellas almost every day for the sun. There is limited shade on the Camino. Please don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Blister Care: Treat hot spots immediately. We found Luko tape to be the most effective.
6. Accommodation Planning
Albergues: Budget-friendly and offer communal experiences (hostel).
Booking: During peak season, book accommodation in advance. We used booking.com without issues. We usually book places that have flexible cancellation policies. For more information on accommodation, check out our latest blog here. We stayed in private rooms with bathrooms.
Maps: Google Maps helped us plan distances, though the Camino route sometimes differed from Google’s suggestions. There were a couple of days when we hiked more miles than we planned.
7. Food and Nutrition
Breakfast: When our accommodations did not offer breakfast, we often ate hard-boiled eggs cooked in a water kettle. Sometimes, we had yogurt and granola when a market was nearby.
Lunch: The Pilgrim Menu includes an appetizer, main dish, drink, and dessert or coffee. French fries are served everywhere!
Snacks: Carry high-energy snacks like nuts, dried fruit, and energy bars.
Dinner: Plan ahead, especially if you want to eat earlier than Spain's typical 8 p.m. dining time. Check to see if your accommodation serves dinner before 8 p.m. If not, we went to the market and found food for dinner.
8. Mental Preparation
Set Intentions: Reflect on your reasons for walking the Camino and set personal goals. We enjoyed each other’s company, met new people, and embraced the journey.
Stay Flexible: Be open to changes in your plans.
9. Documentation
Before reaching Santiago, ensure you have your QR code/registration ready to get your certificate. Here is the website.
Credential: Collect stamps in a pilgrim passport to qualify for a Compostela certificate. Most cafes/tourist centers will have stamps for your passport. They ranged from varied sizes and colors. It can be fun and rewarding to collect them.
Souvenir: To show solidarity with other pilgrims, purchase a shell with a cross. They are sold along the trail in various shops and cost $3-4 each.
Upon completing the Camino and arriving at the Catedral, you'll need to find the place to get your certificate. With your back to the Catedral, go down the stairs on your right, turn right at the bottom, and proceed towards the post office. There might be a line outside, but it progresses quickly. Click here to visit their website. They will also offer you the option to purchase another certificate on fancy paper stating your name and the mileage you walked. (approx. $4.00) And, of course, they sell packaging to safely carry them home.
10. Bathroom Breaks
During the day, if you need to use the bathroom, you can find one at a restaurant or cafe, but some places require a purchase. If you are along Portugal's coast, public bathrooms are available. At other times when there are no public facilities, you will need to find a 'private spot in nature.' This option is sometimes easy but could be difficult for a woman. Liza carried her “Piss off Rag” on her backpack to eliminate the need for toilet paper. She highly recommends it and can be purchased on Amazon.
11. Enjoy the Journey
Take your time to enjoy the scenery, culture, and fellow pilgrims. The more effort you put in, the more you’ll get out of the experience. We found that taking our time and meeting new people was the best part of the journey.
(L: Liza is ecstatic to soak her achy feet. C: Spiritual Route. R: The adorable town of Barcelos)
12. Tips
If you have time, spend a night or two in Porto before starting. It is a cute town, and the port tastes good!
If you intend to walk the Coastal route from Porto, head towards the river, turn right, and continue walking. The Camino signs were confusing, so we went directly to the river.
Expect to do a significant amount of walking on roads, as we estimated it to be roughly 70% road, cobblestone, boardwalk, and 30% dirt. Remember to bring an umbrella if you want to avoid having the sun on your face. Liza dislikes hats, so she opts for an umbrella instead.
We typically begin our day between 8–9 a.m. and wrap up around 3–4 p.m. Food options are quite limited during this period, so it's advisable to inquire about dining choices with your accommodation. We contacted each place via booking.com to ask about available food options. Looking back, we realized we should have also inquired about the restaurant's operating hours. Take our advice and do so.
If you have more time, we recommend visiting Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, Tui, and Pontevedra, which are pleasant towns that can be visited for an additional day.
When you stop for a stretch break, remove your shoes and socks and let your toes be free. Drying your pretty little toes prevents blisters from occurring. Elevate those legs if you can, even if you look silly.
We followed the same routine each time we arrived at our lodging for the night. One of us would shower while the other did stretches. Liza used her Peloton app for her daily stretching exercises. Afterward, we would take a little siesta before dinner.
If you decide to walk the Spiritual Route, ensure you book your boat tickets in advance. We assumed booking two days ahead would suffice, but only 4:30 pm slots were available. It would have been better to reserve a week in advance. Reservations can be made online here. Tickets can also be purchased at the visitor's center, but it was closed when we arrived, so it's best to book ahead.
Pastries are extremely popular for breakfast on the Camino, but we prefer more protein. We would boil eggs in the hotel's electric kettle, a required appliance with our hotel reservation. Here are the instructions: Depending on the size of the kettle, put 4-6 eggs in and cover with water. Do not fill to the top. Allow it to come to a complete boil, and then let sit for 12 minutes. Remove carefully and soak in cold water.
Check out our blog on accommodations. We stayed in private accommodations, which included private bathrooms.
Live life on your terms…👣🌎
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