How to know which route of the Camino de Santiago is the most suitable for you?
You have decided to do the Camino de Santiago, but you don't know where to start. The first decision will be to choose the route we want to follow. There are many places from where to start the adventure, so choosing one can become a real nightmare.
Each route presents unique landscapes and experiences, with its traditional meals and its added difficulties. To help you with the decision process, we have decided to review the advantages and problems of each of the routes of the Camino de Santiago.
¿Are you ready?
What route to do on the Camino de Santiago?
Camino Frances
Known as the Authentic Camino. It is the most famous of all, and therefore, the busiest. Start in France and travel throughout northern Spain through emblematic cities such as Logroño, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, and Ponferrada.
Due to its popularity, it is the best-signposted road and the one with the best infrastructure. For these two reasons, French is considered the easiest way to do with children, the elderly, or even people with reduced mobility. It is also an excellent option for cycling.
Being a busy road, many times (and especially in summer), there is a problem of housing shortages. In these cases, the best option is to have a package of the Camino de Santiago organized to avoid possible issues during the journey.
Camino Portugues
It is the second busiest road. Usually, the most typical Portuguese Camino starts from Lisbon, although there is also a popular variant, the Portuguese Coastal Camino, which begins in Porto.
The road, in general, is simple since it does not present many slopes. In this case, as in the previous one, it is a great route to do by bicycle. It can also be a good option for outings with children or people with reduced mobility.
An important point to note in this case is the variety of landscapes and terrains through which we will cross the path. It is a perfect opportunity to explore and discover the rural areas of Portugal, passing forests, villages, and magical fortresses. It is undoubtedly one of our favorites!
Camino del Norte
This road hides a spectacular virgin natural landscape. The trail follows the coast of the Cantabrian Sea and combines views of both beach and mountains, with large green esplanades.
On the other hand, in terms of difficulty, compared to the two previous roads, this is undoubtedly more complicated with areas of difficult access for pilgrims. Therefore, we advise avoiding doing this path with children or the elderly, as well as with people with reduced mobility.
It is the ideal option for those who are looking for a less touristy and busy road.
Camino Ingles
It is the least known road and has little signaling and infrastructure. We recommend doing the Camino Ingles organized and planned in advance.
This route is highly recommended for people with disabilities, provided it is done in a group and with the previously planned way.
In addition, due to the short mileage of the English road, cyclists will be left without composting.
Camino de Finisterre
It is the only one that does not end in the Galician capital but begins in Santiago de Compostela and ends in Cape Finisterre. The Way of Finisterre or Fisterra has as its meaning the end of the Earth. This prolongation of the Camino de Santiago is increasingly gaining strength.
During the four stages of the tour, while we are bordering the coast, we find picturesque Galician villages full of native people from the area. We recommend doing the route as a family (children or with older people) as the route stands out for its little difficulty. A full of great magic decision!
Camino Primitivo
It is the oldest of all the Camino de Santiago routes and stands out for being one of the most attractive routes. With its mountainous and unpopulated areas, it is also one of the most demanding roads in Santiago. We do not recommend this route to do it with children, elderly people, or people with reduced mobility. In addition, the trail has few services and infrastructure.
In contrast, pilgrims who decide to make this path can enjoy views and landscapes of great beauty in the areas of Galicia and Asturias. It is a perfect choice for lovers of tranquility and pure nature. 100% recommended enjoying as a couple as it is an area with little tourism.
Do you still have doubts about the best route for your case? In CaminoTrip, we have more than twenty options of personalized routes to make the Camino de Santiago at your own pace. Contact us for more information!
