Pilgrimage: We are on The Road to Santiago de Compostela

Advice: Typical mountain clothing is recommended on the walk along El Camino

SPAIN: In my mind I had a picture of forest-free mountains and valleys. But if you want mountain hiking, you will have to start your trek in the Pyrenees a bit further away from the final goal. With three moderate stages on Pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the goal of the pilgrimage, you mostly walk in terrain that alternates between oak and eucalyptus forests, cultivated fields and lush meadows.

In the 55 kilometers we had the pleasure of walking we had to put up with a bit of asphalt road and heavy traffic. But not enough to ruin the experience. There are probably more attractive parts of “El Camino”. Most likely, there is something special about getting to the finish of a pilgrimage – no matter how far you have travelled.

We passed farms and villages

Never boring. Not very exotic, but the landscape is still beautiful. At regular intervals, we walk into small villages, past old farms built in stone and sometimes stoped at places with local temptations. Whether you walk alone or not on the trail depends on the season, and if you want peaceful moments the best idea is to hike in March or April. Try to avoid the high season from July and end of August. During the summer season, the challenge will not only be walking in a queue, but also finding accommodation along the route. As we moved along, we experienced small villages, charming farms and inns with local food.

Quiet walk along El Camino

Dress up. The only pilgrims we encounter are schoolchildren joyfully and loadly walking towards the final goal further west. Apart from this it is quiet and relaxing, and the environment encourages both reflection and conversations about the realities of life. I learned a lot about total strangers – and better acquainted with myself – along the path to Santiago de Compostela.

“Everything under the sun” has been the motto of the tourist nation of Spain for many years. However, in the northwestern corner of the country we are told that “it rains 11 of 12 months in this region”. This means choosing clothes carefully – shorts do not work all the times.
I was wearing Nordic clothing in the form of membrane jacket and pants, as well as solid hiking boots – all with Gore-Tex in the textiles. It turned out to be a suitable choice in both cool mornings and warm afternoons.Typical mountain clothing is therefore recommended on the walk along “El Camino”.

1000 Years of Pilgrimage

The first and most famous pilgrim on El Camino was Bishop Gottskalk, who took the long walk around year 950 a.d. In the following centuries, hundreds of thousands followed his example. As many walking along the marked trails all the way from Paris or Le Puy outside Lyon in France – a distance of 1600km in total. The goal was the impressive cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, said to keep the relics of the Apostle Jacob. Whatever this magnificent cathedral hides, the one who sold the idea of ​​this pilgrimage – consciously or not – has provided steady income for the 166 towns and villages along the pilgrimage in northern Spain.

Santiago de Compostela

Imagine how they felt, the pilgrims who after months of struggle finally reached the stairs outside the huge cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Both relief and happiness, but maybe also a feeling of sorrow at the end of the journey. For many, the walk is often the goal in itself, and for us it is now over. Tears of joy are cried at the square in front of the cathedral, as pilgrims hug each other after weeks of walking. Now it is time to rest our sore feet before we enjoy the magnificent building from the inside.

Santiago de Compostela is most famous for being the end destination of pilgrimage: El Camino de Santiago. This is one of the most impressive cities in Spain, old but still modern and chic. Her is link to more info about the city

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