Alternate Camino Routes

 

 

 

 

There are many ways that lead to Santiago de Compostela through Spain and Portugal. After all the ‘ Camino de Santiago’ is literally the ‘roads of Santiago’ and in medieval times Pilgrims came from all over Europe by paths and boat, establishing many defined routes. On this site we have focused on the most famous, the Camino Frances, but in fact there are several routes that are also popular with modern-day Pilgrims.  The descriptions below are listed in order of the volume of walkers, with the most popular routes first.

  • Camino Portuguese

  • Length: 620 km ( from Lisbon0 240km from Porto
  • Stages on foot: 25
  • Stages by bike: 11

The Portuguese Central Camino or Camino Portuguese (also known as the Inland Route) is one of the most popular paths leading to Santiago de Compostela and offers a distinct experience compared to both the Camino Francés and the Portuguese Coastal Camino. Starting from the vibrant city of Porto in Portugal, this route follows a more inland path, cutting through historic towns, rolling hills, forests, and rural landscapes. While it shares some similarities with the Camino Francés, the Portuguese Central Camino is known for its cultural richness, tranquil countryside, and a more intimate atmosphere, appealing to pilgrims seeking a blend of historical sites and natural beauty.

The Portuguese Central Camino is considered a moderate route, making it an accessible and manageable option for most pilgrims. While not as challenging as some sections of the Camino Francés or as flat as the Portuguese Coastal Camino, it offers a variety of terrain that provides a rewarding yet achievable challenge.

Stages: The section from Porto to Santiago is approximately 240 kilometers and can be completed in 10-14 days, depending on the pace of the pilgrim. Daily stages typically range from 18 to 25 kilometers, with some sections offering shorter or longer options depending on accommodations.

 

The Portuguese Coastal Camino offers a beautiful and distinct alternative to the popular Camino Francés, taking pilgrims along the stunning Atlantic coast from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This route combines the spiritual experience of the Camino with breathtaking coastal scenery, traditional fishing villages, with a less crowded, more relaxed atmosphere . With its ocean views, peaceful beaches, and charming fishing villages, it provides a more tranquil and coastal-focused experience. The terrain is generally easier, making it an accessible option for pilgrims looking for a less strenuous but equally rewarding journey.

The mix of Portuguese and Galician cultures, coupled with the serenity of the Atlantic coastline, makes the Portuguese Coastal Camino a beautiful and distinctive alternative to the traditional pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.

Stages: Most days range between 20-30 kilometers of walking, though some stages can be adjusted to suit individual fitness levels. It’s accessible to most fitness levels, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned pilgrims.

The Camino del Norte (Northern Way) is a unique and stunning route of the Camino de Santiago, running along Spain’s northern coastline. Known for its rugged coastal landscapes and challenging terrain, it offers a contrasting experience to the more famous Camino Francés. While both routes lead to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino del Norte is defined by its natural beauty, coastal scenery, and fewer crowds, attracting those seeking a more solitary and scenic pilgrimage.

The Camino del Norte is widely considered one of the more difficult Camino routes, primarily due to its challenging terrain. Pilgrims need to be prepared for frequent ascents and descents, especially along the coastal cliffs and inland hills.

Stages: The daily walking distances are similar to the Camino Francés, ranging from 20-30 kilometers, but the added elevation changes can make the stages feel more taxing.

The Camino Primitivo (Original Way) is one of the oldest and most authentic routes of the Camino de Santiago, offering a vastly different experience from the more popular Camino Francés. It traces the path that King Alfonso II of Asturias took in the 9th century from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela, making it the first documented pilgrimage to Santiago. Known for its rugged landscapes, challenging terrain, and historic significance, the Camino Primitivo is ideal for those seeking a more demanding and less commercialized route.

Much of the Primitivo feels remote, with sections passing through forests, over rivers, and across hills where few signs of modern life are visible. The lush greenery, combined with the sense of walking in ancient footsteps, creates an immersive and contemplative experience.This route is best suited for experienced hikers or pilgrims in good physical condition. The continuous elevation changes, rocky paths, and fewer services make it a more demanding and strenuous journey than the Camino Francés, though incredibly rewarding for those seeking a physical and spiritual challenge.

Stages: The Camino Primitivo typically takes 12-14 days, depending on the pace and stages chosen. Daily distances are similar to the Camino Francés, usually between 20-30 kilometers, but the difficulty is compounded by the rugged terrain. The stages in Galicia tend to become easier as the route merges with the Camino Francés near Melide.

  • Camino Ingles

  • Length: 119 km
  • Stages on foot: 6
  • Stages by bike: 3

The Camino Inglés (English Way) is a relatively short but historically significant route of the Camino de Santiago, offering a different experience from the more well-known Camino Francés. Traditionally used by pilgrims from the British Isles who sailed to the ports of northern Spain, the Camino Inglés begins in either Ferrol or A Coruña and stretches to Santiago de Compostela. It’s a less-traveled route, perfect for those seeking a shorter, quieter, and more intimate pilgrimage.

The Camino Inglés is a great choice for pilgrims looking for a shorter, quieter, and historically rich pilgrimage. With its coastal beginnings, peaceful rural paths, and deep historical roots, it offers a unique and intimate Camino experience. While less physically demanding than the Camino Francés, the Camino Inglés still provides a rewarding journey with scenic landscapes and the opportunity to connect with Galicia’s distinct culture. Perfect for those with limited time or seeking a more reflective pilgrimage, the Camino Inglés stands out as a hidden gem among the Camino routes.

Stages: The route from Ferrol typically takes 5-6 days, with each stage averaging around 20 kilometers. The stages are manageable, but there are fewer accommodation options compared to the Camino Francés, which means pilgrims may need to plan their days more carefully.

  • Camino Invierno

  • Length: 263 km
  • Stages: 10

The Camino de Invierno (Winter Way) is a lesser-known but unique and rewarding route of the Camino de Santiago, offering a distinct alternative to the famous Camino Francés. This path was traditionally used by pilgrims during the winter months to avoid the heavy snowfalls of the O Cebreiro pass on the Camino Francés. Starting in Ponferrada, the Camino Invierno takes a southerly route through the valleys and along the banks of the Río Sil, crossing into Galicia before reaching Santiago de Compostela. It stands out for its solitude, historical significance, and varied landscapes, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a quieter and less-traveled pilgrimage.

The Camino Invierno offers stunning landscapes that differ from the more predictable terrain of the Camino Francés. The route is known for its dramatic river valleys, particularly the Ribeira Sacra region, famous for its terraced vineyards that produce some of Galicia’s best wines. Pilgrims walk along the beautiful Sil River canyon, with its sheer cliffs and deep gorges, and through rolling hills, forests, and medieval villages. The vineyards and river scenery provide a distinctive backdrop that is quite different from the plains and mountains of the Camino Francés.

The Camino Invierno is considered more physically demanding than many sections of the Camino Francés, particularly due to its uneven terrain and remote nature. However, it is accessible to most pilgrims with a reasonable level of fitness and can be a rewarding alternative for those who want to avoid the crowds of the more popular routes.

Stages: The route from Ponferrada to Santiago is approximately 263 kilometers and typically takes 10-12 days, depending on the pace and daily distances. While the stages are manageable in terms of distance, the lack of infrastructure and fewer accommodation options mean that careful planning is necessary. Pilgrims need to be prepared for longer stretches without services, which adds to the physical and logistical challenges.

  • Via del Plata

  • Length: 970 km
  • Stages on foot: 36
  • Stages by bike: 16

The Vía de la Plata (Silver Way) is one of the longest and most distinctive routes of the Camino de Santiago, offering a unique pilgrimage experience that contrasts greatly with the well-trodden Camino Francés. Originating in Seville, in the heart of southern Spain, and stretching over 1,000 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela, this route follows the ancient Roman road that connected the southern provinces of Hispania to the north. The Vía de la Plata stands out for its historical depth, cultural diversity, and varied landscapes, ranging from the warm plains of Andalusia to the green hills of Galicia.

One of the most distinctive features of the Vía de la Plata is its connection to Spain’s Roman past. The route follows parts of the ancient Roman road and passes numerous Roman ruins, including the famous milestones that once marked the distance for Roman travelers. Key stops include the city of Mérida, with its spectacular Roman amphitheater, bridge, and other ancient monuments.

Because the Vía de la Plata is less traveled, especially in its early stages, there is far less infrastructure for pilgrims compared to the Camino Francés. Fewer albergues (pilgrim hostels) and services mean that pilgrims often walk longer distances between rest stops and need to be more self-sufficient. The route also starts in the warmer southern regions, where summer temperatures can be extremely high, especially in Andalusia and Extremadura, creating a more physically demanding experience than the more temperate Camino Francés.

Stages: Due to the scarcity of accommodations in certain areas, pilgrims on the Vía de la Plata may need to walk longer distances between stops than on the Camino Francés. This requires careful planning and a high level of self-sufficiency. Water and food supplies must be carried for longer periods, particularly in the more remote sections.

 

Other routes

Even this is not an exhaustive list of all the possible Camino options, just the most popular ones where you will find the best chance of accommodations and luggage transfer services operating. In France you also have two routes which feed into the Camino Frances including the beautiful Le Puy Camino or Via Podiensis. Some routes started in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium as people came from all over Europe.

Over in Italy you have the Via Francigena, another historical Pilgrimage whose destination was Rome not Santiago but still attracted many Pilgrims in its heyday and is undergoing a modern revival as well,

 

 

 

 

 

 

The website at ‘Wise Pilgrim’ offers digital guides to all the different Camino routes and is the best resource, including selling printed copies of the above map  https://www.wisepilgrim.com/

 

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