Camino de Santiago

Whether in Spain or Portugal, the Camino de Santiago has much to offer with its many different hiking routes! 

The Camino de Santiago is a network of walking routes that lead to the shrine of the Apostle James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The most popular route is the Camino Francés, which begins in the French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and crosses northern Spain for 780 kilometers. However, there are other pilgrimage routes, including the Camino Portugués and the Camino del Norte.

The classic Camino Francés is the most popular route and is known for its vibrant pilgrimage community and beautiful landscapes. This full-length pilgrimage is rather for experienced pilgrims, but of course can be divided into easier, shorter sections as desired. If the whole Camino francés should not be enough for you, you can additionally book the route from Santiago to Fisterra on the Atlantic coast. 
However, there are many other pilgrimage routes known as the Camino de Santiago, including, for example, the Portuguese Camino along the coast (Camino Portugués de la Costa), the Portuguese interior Camino (Camino Portugués Central or Camino Portugués Interior), the Camino Primitivo, the Via de la Plata, the Camino Ingles, the Camino Invierno and the Camino del Norte.

The Camino Portugués starts in Lisbon or Porto, Portugal, has a length of about 610 kilometers and can be hiked either as the Portuguese coastal route accompanied by the sea breeze, via A Guarda and Vigo to Santiago, or as the Portuguese interior route through vast green landscapes via Tui, Pontevedra and Padrón. Both trails are less crowded than the Camino Francés and are known for its beautiful coastal landscapes and historic cities like Porto and Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino del Norte is a coastal route along the Atlantic Ocean that begins in the Basque region and runs along the northern coast of Spain before meeting the Camino Francés. The Spanish Coastal Way takes pilgrims through exciting urban areas such as San Sebastián, Bilbao and Santander, alternating with more rural areas. This pilgrimage route is known for its rugged and beautiful coastal landscapes, but also for its hilly terrain that can present a challenge. The distance traveled is approximately 825 kilometers. 

Compared to the Camino del Norte, the Camino Francés is less demanding and the pilgrimage route is well signposted. However, during peak tourist season it can get very crowded and some find the route a bit too commercial.

In summary, the Camino Francés is the most popular and well-known hiking tour, but the Portuguese Way of St. James and the Camino del Norte are great alternatives for those seeking a quieter pilgrimage. Each route offers unique experiences and presents different challenges and rewards along the way - the encounter with oneself.