Is the Camino crowded?

Is the Camino crowded? The busy months between May and August are the most crowded on Camino routes. It's worth remembering that the most numerous nationality on the Camino are from Spain and therefore their public holidays in this country also coincide with the busy times on the Camino de Santiago.

Is it expensive to walk the Camino?

Total Trip Costs Most pilgrim budgets fall in the $30-60 (€25-50) per day range, meaning a 30-day walk would cost $900-1800 (€750-1500). If you don't already have hiking gear, new gear could easily cost $300-600 (€250-500) if you need to get new footwear, backpack and sleeping bag.

Which Camino is best for first time?

I'd say one of the most popular Camino routes e.g. Camino Frances or Camino Portuguese from Porto is the best route for beginners. Why? Simply because these routes have a very good infrastructure which means it's easy to find accommodation, support, and help.

Can you walk the Camino in 3 weeks?

How much time do I need to walk the Camino? To walk the classic Camino Francés route from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela, most people require between 4-6 weeks, however, the time needed depends on your daily mileage and whether you take any rest days.

How many miles a day do people walk on the Camino?

How far do you walk on the Camino each day? In general, pilgrims on the Camino walk an average of 20 to 25kms, roughly 12 to 15 miles per day.

Do you lose weight doing the Camino?

I lost about 8kgs, around 18 lbs, over a four week period. So yes, I did lose a lot of weight on the Camino. However, losing weight was never one of my reasons for walking the Camino. I did not set out on the Camino to lose weight, and I must admit that it never entered my mind at any time while I was there.

How fit do you have to be to walk the Camino?

The best approach, especially at the beginning, is to get out and start walking (or cycling if you plan to cycle the Camino). If you are walking the Camino, you're going to want to build up to being able to walk 20km a day comfortably.

What are 3 reasons people walk El Camino for?

Is the Camino too crowded?

Don't go in the summer. First, it's the most crowded period. Albergues are usually packed, and people can get cranky. Second, summer in Spain is brutally hot. Go during any other season, even winter, which sees little snow on most of El Camino.

What is the quietest Camino route?

Via de la Plata: an epic trail Most pilgrims however pick Ourense city, 100kms from Santiago, as their starting point to experience the last stretch of the route, one of the most beautiful and lush. This Camino de Santiago route is best for you… if you are in search of a quiet and rural trail.

What are the busiest Camino months?

Summer (June-August) By far the most popular time to walk the Camino is summer, particularly June-August, which accounts for more than half of the yearly pilgrim traffic. St. James Day is July 25, and many pilgrims try to time their walk to arrive on this day.

How busy is Camino Francés 2023?

The most popular starting point on the Frances route is Sarria, which enables pilgrims to get their Compostella after covering the last 100 kilometres. A staggering 13 420 pilgrims who finished in Santiago started in Sarria on the Frances route in April 2023. This number climbs to 14 970 in May 2023.

How busy is El Camino?

On a summer day on El Camino, it's common that 100 pilgrims finish per hour! Every year, more than 300,000 pilgrims earn a Compostela (which means they walked at least 100 km). They come from over 100 countries. The volume of pilgrims is simply staggering.

Do you need a sleeping bag on the Camino?

The time of year that you choose to walk the Camino de Santiago may influence your decision as to whether you pack a sleeping bag or not. If you are walking in off-season, any time before March or after September, then you may wish to carry a lightweight sleeping bag rather than sleep sheet.

What is the prettiest Camino?

Generally, most people believe that the Camino del Norte is the most beautiful in terms of landscape. This is because you walk along Northern Spain and at times have the option to walk on a direct coastal path overlooking the ocean.

What is the hardest day of the Camino?

The hardest day of the Camino is on the first day of the French Way, where you have to cross the great mountain range of the Pyrenees over the Napoleon Pass. You must hike 26km to get to the first stop, but you are awarded with a stay in the stunning monastery town of Roncesvalles and two days later Pamplona.

What is the average age of people walking the Camino?

The average age of Pilgrims walking El Camino de Santiago is between 30 and 60 with nearly 60% of Pilgrims finishing the Camino being in this age group. There are also 15% of Pilgrims being over 60 years old and this is a growing group with more and more seniors walking the Camino de Santiago.