OVERVIEW

Travelling the Road to Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St James are said to be buried, is one of the oldest and most interesting journeys in Europe. The idea of pilgrimage seems to touch a chord in many of us and pilgrims on the road to Compostela are as taken with the journey as with the destination. These days, pilgrimage is an exciting and challenging opportunity to depart from our usual lifestyles and experience the world beyond the horizon. Walking gives us the opportunity to slow down, to appreciate the world through which we normally race. The physiological benefits of longer distance walking are many, including an increased sense of well-being.

CLIMATE

Seasonally, the best time to go on this pilgrimage is during March and April or September and October. These months provide a good travel window between the very hot and quite cold temperatures. However, the best time to go is really when you experience the urge to go on pilgrimage. It may well be this year!

EXPERIENCE

The journey presents challenges such as coping with tired and sore muscles; sometimes little sleep; dealing with the blistering sun of Navarra and Rioja and the colder temperatures of the Galician heights. As if in compensation for these challenges, most villages and tabernas offer a rich and earthy selection of delicious regional cuisines, including wonderful local red wines.

The journey, interspersed with vignettes of the rich and violent history of battles between Moorish and Christian armies, added a further dimension to our slow trek along the dusty, rocky paths. There is the freshness of travel - where one is reborn every morning, ready to follow the sun westwards as a simple pilgrim, carrying two loads - a visible pack and an unseen (but felt) emotional weight. We became far more aware of the elements, the earth beneath our feet, the need to drink fresh water, the open sky above and the ever-present sun.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

Take equipment that is as light as possible. For clothing, a Goretex shell and trousers, comfortable boots and a pair of sandals or joggers, UV-proof sunglasses, sunhat, beanie and gloves are all essential items. As you will need to take a sleeping bag for some of the refugios in Galicia, you will need a pack which has a minimum volume of 35 litres. Don’t forget your pilgrim’s staff and scallop shell - the accoutrements of a pilgrim on the road to Santiago.

FITNESS LEVEL

A medium level of fitness is required. The best preparation is to begin at least six weeks before your departure and walk for at least 2 hours per day for 4 days a week and as many day walks as you can manage. The pilgrimage is suitable for people of almost any age. Walkers tend to average 20-25km a day, that’s a pace of about 4-5km per hour. Your body will let you know the distances suitable for it. Don’t overdo it, especially the first 3 days of your journey. If you think you will need more time for your walk, allow time for it.

EXAMPLE ITINERARY FOR THE SANTIAGO PILGRIMAGE

DAY 1 - 10 Walk from Pamplona to Burgos a distance of 200km

DAY 11 Rest day in Burgos.

DAY 12 Coach to Leon.

DAY 13 - 28 Walk from Leon to Santiago a distance of 305km.

DAY 29 - 30 Explore the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela.