Essential facts about the Camino

I am so grateful for the opportunity to hike the Camino de Santiago this summer. Here are answers to some common questions people have asked me.

What is the "Camino de Santiago"?

Milky Way in Galicia, Spain.

It was a pre-Christian route in the 8th century, then became one of the most important Christian pilgrim routes in the world during the Middle Ages (1100-1453AD).
The name Camino de Santiago comes from Saint James, an apostle of Jesus, who is supposedly buried in the Spanish city, Santiago de Compostela.
In Roman times, before St. James was buried there, people walked this route, following the Milky Way, to a town called "Finisterre" which was believed to be the end of the world.
"El Camino de Santiago" means "The Way of Saint James" in English. It is also called "El Camino".

Why is the Camino de Santiago important?

During the Middle Ages (1100-1453 AD), it was one of three important Christian pilgrim routes along with pilgrimages to Jerusalem and Rome.
The first travel guide ever written, the Codex Calixtinus, was written for pilgrims on the Camino in 1140 to give them practical information and encouragement.
The Camino de Santiago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

A Chevy El Camino, which is not the same
El Camino mentioned in the article!

Who are the pilgrims today?

Today, people from all religious backgrounds come from around the world to hike this ancient route.
A total of 277,854 pilgrims reached Santiago in 2016.
Of these pilgrims, 124,230 (44.71%) were from Spain and 15,236 (5.48%) were from the USA.

How long does it take to hike to Santiago de Compostela?

There are several routes to the city, Santiago de Compostela, where St. James' remains lie (see map below).
To walk the entire way on the Camino Francés, the most popular route, it is 780 kilometers (500 miles) from St. Jean-Pied-du-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela.
To walk all 780 kilometers would take approximately 30-35 days.

There are many ways to arrive at Santiago de Compostela. I will walk part of the French Way.

How do pilgrims get to Santiago de Compostela?

You can walk, bike, drive, or use other transportation get to Santiago from all over Europe, but most pilgrims choose to walk.
Some pilgrims continue onto Finisterre, the seaside town once believed to be the end of the earth during Roman times, and where previously, the pagan Gallaeci or Celts, built a temple to worship the sun.

Why do people do El Camino?

Today, people are inspired to walk the Camino for different reasons: some walk for religious or spiritual reasons, some for academic or athletic ones, some for adventure, some out of curiosity, some to be in nature or simply because they can!
I am hiking for three main reasons: 1) To learn more about the intersections of cultures in northern Spain by exploring their legacies in the architecture, language, and customs of places along the way 2) To connect with a community of people from all over the world who come to hike this same route that people have done for thousands of years and 3) Because I can! This will be a personal triumph for me since over the past year I have had to learn to walk again. What better way to enjoy a nice walk, and celebrate each step, than by walking through a beautiful part of a country I love?
I hope you will enjoy following me on my trek across the last 200 kilometers (124 miles) of the Camino!