Why walk el Camino?
Updated 11/09/2024
I was recently interviewed on the radio about our company, Hike the Way. The interviewer was great and after we discussed some of the logistics of the trip, he asked me one question that deeply resonated within me: "Why do people walk the Camino?" I thought it would be interesting to share my thoughts with on this article about the top five reasons people walk the Camino de Santiago, so here we go:
1. Spiritual Reasons
Historically, the Camino de Santiago originated as a religious pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James. Today, around 25% of pilgrims walk with a spiritual or religious motivation. While some may walk to deepen their Catholic faith, many others seek a greater sense of purpose, a connection to nature, or answers to life’s deep questions..
If you decide you’d like to walk the Camino for spiritual reasons - regardless of your specific beliefs - and you complete at least the last 100km of any Camino route ending in Santiago, you are eligible for the Compostela certificate. Catholics that walk during a Holy Year can earn a plenary indulgence (forgiveness of all sins) from the Church. It is for this reason that Holy Years tend to concentrate higher numbers of pilgrims on the trail.
2. Exercise and well-being
For many, the Camino is a physical challenge as walking is a fantastic way to improve their exercise. Even though experienced hikers and backpackers walk the Camino every year, the majority of people have little to no experience in walking long distances over many days. One of the exciting parts of the Camino is getting ready to take on this new challenge.
A popular saying is “Your Camino begins when you book it”. So even if you’re not walking until a year from now, your Camino journey has already begun. You'll soon find yourself researching what shoes to bring, how to train, learning about what you should pack and practicing walks with a backpack. You'll soon be doing research on Facebook and reading blogs about the Camino. Before you know it, you'll feel part of the close-knit community of Camino walkers.
You will be amazed at how your body is able to quickly adapt to walking long distances, after a couple of days.
You don't need to train everyday in preparation for el Camino. While I recommend going out on walks to train and get a measure of your abilities, the real journey begins on the actual Camino trail, where you’ll learn to pace yourself and grow stronger with each day. The Camino is something that you need to really experience to understand. Part of the journey is pushing yourself and seeing how your body adapts and watching yourself as you get stronger and more confident.
Walking on the Camino is also a unique experience compared to training at home. While the walking is just as challenging, the beauty of the scenery, the camaraderie of the people, and the cultural landmarks along the trail make each step worthwhile.
3. Adventure
The Camino is not your typical vacation. Rather than resting on a beach, pilgrims dive into a rugged, authentic adventure. Afterward, many call it "the vacation they didn’t know they needed." Without familiar amenities, you’ll experience a true journey of faith and exploration.
An adventurous spirit is the guiding force for many pilgrims along the Camino. The Camino has a great component of adventure as it represents a largely unfamiliar environment for you, as you navigate language barriers, weather, and a different culture that you are used to at home.
Booking accommodations ahead of time is a great idea, as the Camino lacks chain hotels or fast food outlets—offering instead local cafés and family-run inns, each filled with character and history. There is also no service or Wi-Fi on many of the paths (hotels do have Wi-Fi), so you are trusting that “the Camino will provide”.
Surrender to the moment, to the feeling of adventure that pilgrims have shared along this ancient journey for more than 1,000 years
The spirit of the Camino calls to those who appreciate the “good old days”. When we didn’t have cell phones glued to ourselves and a road trip wasn’t planned online through an online portal, but with a map and a destination. Pilgrims always remark how “old and authentic” everything looks. And that’s because the Camino hasn’t changed much in 1200 years!
The smallest villages have just a few houses and perhaps a stone church, you can still pet donkeys along the road and your hotel might be ran by the 3rd generation of the family who built the place. Stepping onto the Camino is stepping back in time and finding yourself immersed in pilgrimage that has a history of over a thousand years.
4. Disconnect to Reconnect
In our fast-paced world, the Camino offers a rare opportunity to truly disconnect. On this journey, you’re able to break away from work emails and daily obligations, allowing you to reconnect with yourself. At first, the silence may feel unusual, but over time, the feeling of peace becomes invaluable.
The Camino is a simple way to reconnect with your inner self and understand yourself better.
At first it may seem strange to not constantly think about what’s going on back home, or not check your phone every 15 minutes but soon you find a peace and silence in the journey. It takes a few days to adjust to the ways of the Camino, but the reward is clarity and a feeling of peace that you will find revealing.
Walking the Camino isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s an inner journey. Many find new clarity and peace, often making changes in their lives upon returning home. Some even join support groups, as returning to everyday life can be challenging after such a transformative experience.
5. Fun
While the Camino provides ample opportunity for reflection, it’s also simply fun! Spain offers a stunning backdrop with charming cafés, vibrant pilgrims, and awe-inspiring landscapes. After a long day of walking, you might find yourself dipping your toes in a river, laughing with new friends at a local café, or gathering in a village square.
Meeting people from around the world is commonplace on everyone's Camino journey. Many pilgrims form lifelong friendships, keeping in touch after the trip, vowing to return together and reliving their Camino memories for years. Language barriers add to the fun as everyone finds creative ways to communicate.
Many pilgrims walk alone and just trust that they will make new friends along The Way, and they do.
Food in Spain is always amazing and it’s great to try different local dishes in each place you visit. It’s even exciting just to visit a supermarket and get foreign chocolates or snacks for later on. Food is definitely a key component of fun on el Camino.
The Camino creates lifelong memories. Each pilgrimage is unique, and you’ll leave with stories to share and a fondness for the journey. Whatever your reason for walking, you'll find that the Camino experience will far exceed your expectations. El Camino never disappoints.
Buen camino, friends.