The Many Paths to Santiago

A Guide to Camino Routes and Why We Chose the Portuguese Way

Photo Credit: thecaminoprovides.com

When people think of the Camino de Santiago, they often imagine there's just one route leading to the magnificent cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. In reality, there are numerous paths that pilgrims have traveled for over a thousand years, each offering its own unique experience, challenges, and rewards. As Benjamin and I prepared for our first Camino experience, we spent considerable time researching these different routes before settling on the final 100 kilometers of the Portuguese Way.

The Major Camino Routes

Camino Francés (The French Way)

The most popular and well-established route stretches approximately 800 kilometers from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela. This path crosses the Pyrenees and traverses northern Spain, passing through historic cities like Pamplona, Burgos, and León. The infrastructure is excellent, with numerous albergues (pilgrim hostels), restaurants, and support services. However, its popularity means it can be quite crowded, especially during peak season.

Camino Portugués (Portuguese Way)

Starting from Lisbon or Porto in Portugal, this route covers about 610 kilometers from Lisbon or 240 kilometers from Porto. The path follows ancient Roman roads and medieval pilgrimage routes, offering beautiful coastal sections and charming Portuguese and Galician villages. The final 100 kilometers from Tui (on the Spanish border) to Santiago is particularly scenic and manageable for first-time pilgrims.

Camino del Norte (Northern Way)

Following Spain's rugged northern coast, this 825-kilometer route from Irún offers stunning ocean views and passes through the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias. It's more challenging due to its hilly terrain and fewer services, but it rewards pilgrims with dramatic landscapes and fewer crowds.

Camino Primitivo (Original Way)

Considered the original pilgrimage route, this 320-kilometer path starts in Oviedo and is known for its challenging mountain terrain and pristine natural beauty. It's the most demanding of the major routes but offers an authentic, less commercialized experience.

Vía de la Plata (Silver Way)

The longest route at nearly 1,000 kilometers, starting from Seville in southern Spain. This path follows ancient Roman roads through Extremadura and Castile-León, offering a more solitary experience with vast landscapes and extreme weather conditions.

Camino Inglés (English Way)

A shorter route of about 120 kilometers starting from either A Coruña or Ferrol on the Galician coast. Historically used by pilgrims arriving by sea from England and Ireland, it's perfect for those with limited time.

Camino Finisterre

Technically a continuation rather than a route to Santiago, this 90-kilometer path leads from Santiago to the "end of the world" at Cape Finisterre on the Atlantic coast, where pilgrims traditionally burn their clothes and watch the sunset over the ocean.

Why We Chose the Last 100 Kilometers of the Portuguese Way

After extensive research and soul-searching about what we wanted from our first Camino experience, Benjamin and I decided on the final 100 kilometers of the Portuguese Way, and here's why this choice felt perfect for us:

The Perfect Introduction Length

At just over 100 kilometers spread across six days, this section offers a substantial pilgrimage experience without being overwhelming for first-timers. The daily distances range from 16 to 25 kilometers (10-15 miles), which felt challenging but achievable for our fitness levels. We wanted to truly experience the Camino spirit without overexerting ourselves on our inaugural journey.

Eligibility for the Compostela

Walking the final 100 kilometers qualifies us to receive the official Compostela certificate from the Pilgrims' Office in Santiago. This minimum distance requirement ensures we're participating in a legitimate pilgrimage while keeping the commitment manageable for our schedules and physical capabilities.

Stunning Galician Landscape

The Portuguese Way through Galicia showcases some of the most beautiful countryside in Spain. We'll walk through ancient forests, rolling green hills, charming villages, and historic towns like Tui, Redondela, and Pontevedra. The landscape is quintessentially Galician – lush, mystical, and steeped in Celtic and Roman history.

Rich Cultural Experience

Starting in Tui, right on the Portuguese-Spanish border, gives us a unique bicultural experience. We'll cross the historic Roman bridge over the Miño River and immediately immerse ourselves in Galician culture, language, and cuisine. The route passes through towns with incredible architectural heritage, from medieval churches to traditional stone granaries called hórreos.

traditional stone granaries called hórreos

Excellent Infrastructure with Authentic Character

The Portuguese Way offers well-marked paths, quality accommodations, and good support services without feeling overly commercialized like some sections of the Camino Francés. We're staying in carefully selected hotels that range from historic paradors to charming local establishments, ensuring comfort after each day's walk.

Less Crowded Than the French Way

While still popular, the Portuguese Way sees fewer pilgrims than the Camino Francés, especially the coastal variant we're taking. This means more opportunities for quiet reflection, genuine interactions with locals, and a more intimate connection with the pilgrimage experience.

Manageable Weather and Terrain

June weather in Galicia is generally mild and pleasant, and the terrain, while including some hills, doesn't feature the extreme elevation changes or weather challenges of routes like the Camino del Norte or Primitivo. This allows us to focus on the spiritual and cultural aspects of the journey rather than survival.

A Gateway to Future Caminos

We see this as our introduction to the broader Camino family. If we fall in love with the experience (which we expect to), we're already planning potential future walks on other routes. Starting with a manageable section gives us the confidence and knowledge to tackle longer, more challenging paths later.

The Deeper Calling

Beyond the practical considerations, something about the Portuguese Way called to us. Perhaps it's the symbolism of crossing borders – both geographical and personal. Or maybe it's the appeal of walking ancient paths that have connected cultures and communities for centuries. The Portuguese Way represents a perfect balance of challenge and accessibility, tradition and comfort, solitude and community.

As we begin this journey, we carry with us not just our backpacks but also our hopes, dreams, and openness to whatever the Camino has to teach us. Every pilgrim's path is different, but we're confident that these 100 kilometers will provide exactly the experience we need.

Buen Camino to all fellow pilgrims, whatever path you choose!

Follow our journey as we walk 100 kilometers of the Portuguese Way over the next six days, sharing daily updates, insights, and discoveries along this ancient pilgrimage route.