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How to do the Camino de Santiago

Although the preferred way of doing the Camino de Santiago is still on foot, many pilgrims choose to make their pilgrimage by bicycle or even on horseback. All these ways are perfectly valid to get their Compostela when they arrive in the Galician capital.

You can also decide to have some company and undertake this adventure in a group, with your pet, or alone. And believe us when we tell you that there will always be someone at each stage to walk with you, especially if you choose a popular Camino.

Although most pilgrims do the Jacobean route on foot, there are many other ways to do the Camino de Santiago, such as by bike or even on horseback.

Knowing how to do the Camino de Santiago is something you should take into account, as it can totally condition your pilgrimage.

The concept is the same, although depending on the means of transport you choose, you will have to travel more or less kilometers to obtain the Compostela, in addition to that some routes may vary slightly.

The Way
on foot

The Camino de Santiago on foot is the most popular to get to Santiago. In fact, statistics confirm that between 80% and 90% of pilgrims choose this way to reach Compostela. Doing the Camino de Santiago on foot is the most common option. That is why the routes are better signposted and you will not lack resources to get to Santiago on foot.

When doing the Camino on foot, stages may be longer, but the effort of the exercise is less. One of the greatest efforts is not the long walk itself, but other added challenges, such as the overload of backpacks. However, you can hire a backpack transfer service and make the Camino much more bearable in this way. It is an option that more and more pilgrims are choosing every year.

Our recommendation is that you carefully choose the footwear with which you will do the Camino on foot, because it will be the most important element of the whole experience. And of course, that you train in the days before your departure, since constant hours of walking await you for several days.

The Way
by Bike

Around a 10% and an 18% of pilgrims make the Camino de Santiago by bike. The great advantage of going to Compostela by bike is speed: you will save a lot of time and you can use it to discover new places. Another advantage is that the bike allows us to transport the backpacks with less effort, since you can carry your belongings in the saddlebags on each side of the bicycle.

To do the Camino de Santiago by bike, you will have to plan your routes more carefully, not only at the itinerary level, but also in terms of schedules. Keep in mind that if you choose this modality, the minimum number of kilometers to travel to obtain your Compostela is 200, twice more than doing it on foot. In addition, from 8 in the afternoon, pilgrims who go on foot have priority access to the hostels, so it is important that you take this into account to ensure that you will have a bed at night.

Do not forget that, since it will be your main form of transport, your bike must be well conditioned for the adventures that await you. You will also have the option of renting it for the days that your experience will last if you need it. More and more agencies offer this service nowadays.

The Way
on Horseback

Although it is a much less frequent option, the Camino de Santiago can also be done on horseback. This may be the modality that requires most preparation, since we must study the routes meticulously and be sure that our horse can complete the route without problems. That is why it is important to take into account the time of year in which we will do the Camino, avoiding the months of higher temperatures so that the horse does not suffer.

Of course, you must have previous riding experience and wear good equipment to take care of your horse throughout the Jacobean route. The minimum kilometers to travel are 100, as if you do the Camino on foot. In addition, in this case you must notify the police of your arrival in the Galician capital and thus obtain an entry permit to the Plaza del Obradoiro with your horse.

If you are decided to do the Camino de Santiago on horseback, in this case we strongly recommend that you prepare and book your trip in advance, if possible with a specialized agency. There are not many accommodations that have stables where you and your horse can spend the night, so it is better to leave home prepared so as not to find yourself without a shelter during the Camino.

Doing the Camino
with children

The Camino de Santiago is an experience suitable for everybody. You can do it by yourself, with your friends or family and even with children. There is no reason to think that children cannot do the Camino de Santiago. In fact, it is a type of journey full of learning and positive experiences. Obviously, you have to take into account the age of the children and plan your way according to this factor.

There is no specific limit of time to travel the Camino de Santiago. If you have enough free time, you can do the Camino in short stages and for a longer time. It is important that the stages you do never exceed 15 or 20 km and that you go prepared for when the little ones get tired, making the necessary stops so that they can recover.

Before doing the Camino with children, it is convenient to prepare them and do a kind of previous training, taking them on hiking trails and other excursions. The French Way is usually the preferred one for families. Being the most frequented Way, there are many hostels and pilgrims along the Way. If you have to stop early, you will find the right place more easily.

To do the Camino de Santiago with children, it is also advisable to use the services of specialized travel agencies on the Camino. The support car can be very helpful, as well as the suitcases transfer service to be able to take everything that the little ones at home may need during the tour.

The Camino de Santiago
with your dog

If you want to enjoy your holidays with your dog, the Camino de Santiago is one of the best options you have. It is a great way to enjoy your free time in nature and share the experience with your faithful friend. Of course, what you should keep in mind if you do the Camino with your dog is that it does not suffer and that it will endure the walk without problems. Your best friend must be physically prepared to do the Camino, just like you.

In addition to being prepared at the level of physical resistance, you also have to take care of the pads of the feet. Just like your feet get scuffed, the pads of your dog can get damaged if he is not used to walking on rocky or earthy places. That is why it is convenient that, if you are going to do the Camino with your dog, you carry the necessary care for him in your backpack, especially for his pads and legs. Remember to bring enough water and food every day for when it is time to rest, a raincoat and towel for him, as well as a leash and a muzzle if necessary.

When the night comes, there are quite a few accommodations that allow dogs to enter, but we always recommend that you inform yourself beforehand to avoid having to let them sleep outside. The most convenient way to find accommodation that accepts pets at each stage is by enlisting the help of an agency specializing in the Camino de Santiago that can help you organize everything with your best friend.

The Way
for singles

If you are going to undertake the Camino de Santiago alone but want to meet new people, you can always choose to do the Camino de Santiago as a single. Choosing a fairly busy path, we assure you that you will never feel alone. Whichever season you choose, there will always be people on the Camino and in the same situation. In addition, the Camino de Santiago is perfect to meet people from all over and even practice languages. A multicultural experience, no doubt.

Whether you want to go just to get to know yourself or to meet other people, there is no better trip you can do unaccompanied. You will not have any problem if you decide not to start a conversation with the rest of the pilgrims, but you will not feel completely alone, since there will be more people doing the same route as you every day.

That is why if you cannot have companions to do the Camino de Santiago, that is not a reason to miss the experience. Many pilgrims even enjoy it more this way, walking at their own pace during the day and introducing themselves (if they choose so) to their fellow travelers during well-deserved breaks in the afternoon. Be that as it may, prepare your Camino in advance and so it will become a unique adventure that you will be wanting to repeat soon.