Setting off on the adventure of the Camino de Santiago answers a call that echoes in the hearts of thousands of people every year. It is part personal challenge, part cultural journey, part communion with nature and part self-discovery. For a first-timer, though, the idea can feel every bit as daunting as it is exciting. Am I fit enough? Which route should I choose? What on earth do I put in my backpack? If those are the questions going round your head, you have come to the right place. This definitive guide is designed to clear up every last doubt and help you take the first steps towards an experience that, we promise you, will change your life.
The Essential First Step: Choosing Your Camino and When to Walk It
Before you so much as lace up your boots, the most important decision is to set the framework for your adventure. The route you pick and the time of year you walk will shape your experience more than anything else.
Which Camino de Santiago Route Should You Choose?
There are dozens of pilgrim routes to Santiago, each with its own character, history and level of difficulty. If this is your first time, it makes sense to choose a route with good infrastructure and clear waymarking. Here are the most popular ones:
- Camino Francés: This is the Camino, the busiest and most sociable of them all. Its popularity has given it an excellent network of albergues (pilgrim hostels), plenty of services and faultless waymarking. It is the obvious choice if you want to meet other pilgrims along the way. You can start right at the beginning, in the fabled Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, taking on the legendary opening stage to Roncesvalles, or pick a starting point closer to the finish, such as Sarria, and walk the final 100 km you need in order to earn your Compostela.
- Camino Portugués: The second most popular route. It comes in two main variants: the Central route, which runs inland, and the Coastal route, with spectacular views over the Atlantic. It is generally flatter than the Camino Francés, which makes it a wonderful option for beginners or for anyone who would rather avoid steep climbs. Common starting points are Porto and Tui, the latter on the Galician side of the Portuguese border.
- Camino Inglés: A short route, ideal if you have less than a week to spare. Beginning in Ferrol (or in A Coruña, though its roughly 75 km fall short of the minimum; even so, registered residents of A Coruña and anyone who can prove they have already walked 25 km on a certified pilgrim route can still receive the Compostela), it threads through the green of rural Galicia and the Rías Altas. It is a quieter option, but very well served.
The Best Time of Year to Walk the Camino
The weather is a decisive factor. The best seasons by far are spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October). In those months the temperatures are mild and pleasant for walking, and the landscape is at its very finest. Summer (July and August) is high season, which means more pilgrims and more heat, especially out on the plains of Castilla y León. Winter, by contrast, is really only for very experienced, well-equipped pilgrims, as many areas can see snow and a good number of albergues close their doors.
Physical Preparation: Your Body Is Your Best Walking Staff
You do not need to be an elite athlete to walk the Camino, but getting into decent shape beforehand is essential if you are to enjoy the experience and, above all, to avoid injury. The aim is to accustom your body to the sustained effort of covering several kilometres a day, day after day.
Why Your Training Should Build Gradually
Ideally, start preparing around three months before your departure date. If you are not used to walking, begin with short outings of 45-60 minutes, three times a week, then build up the duration and the distance little by little. In the final month, aim for at least one long walk a week that comes close to the average length of a stage (around 20-25 km).
Training in Camino Conditions
Your training should be as realistic as you can make it. That comes down to two essentials:
- Walk on varied terrain: Do not limit yourself to tarmac. Seek out dirt paths, gravel tracks, climbs and descents. This will strengthen your ankles and prepare you for the range of surfaces you will meet along the way.
- Train in your own kit: It is vital to do your practice walks in the same boots and with the same backpack (loaded to the weight you will actually be carrying) that you will take on the Camino. That way the footwear moulds to your feet and you can fine-tune the straps for comfort, spotting any rubbing or discomfort in good time.
Strength Work and Stretching
Round off your walks with some strength work, especially for the lower body (quads and calves) and the core (abdominals and lower back), since a strong trunk will help you carry the weight of your backpack. And do not underestimate stretching: always give it a good 10 minutes before and, above all, after every session. Your muscles will thank you for it.
Packing Essentials: What to Put in Your Backpack
Packing is almost a ritual in itself. The pilgrim's mantra is "less is more". Every gram counts when you are carrying it on your back for hours on end. Here is what you genuinely need.
The Golden Rule: 10% of Your Body Weight
As a general rule, your backpack, with everything in it except water, should not exceed 10% of your body weight. If you weigh 70 kg, it should come in under 7 kg. It is a strict limit, but a necessary one if you are to avoid overloading and injuring your back and knees.
Backpack, Footwear and Clothing
- Backpack: Look for something between 35 and 45 litres. It should be ergonomic, with adjustable shoulder, chest and hip straps and a ventilated back panel. A waterproof rain cover is indispensable.
- Footwear: This is the single most critical piece of kit. You can go for mid-cut walking boots (more ankle support) or trail running shoes (lighter and more flexible). What matters most is that they are comfortable, breathable and waterproof (with a Gore-Tex type membrane). Never set off in brand-new footwear; wear it in for months beforehand.
- Clothing (the three-layer system):
- Base layer: 2-3 technical T-shirts (synthetic or merino wool) that wick sweat away. Steer clear of cotton.
- Mid layer: A fleece or a lightweight insulated jacket to keep the cold out.
- Outer layer: A waterproof, breathable rain jacket or windproof shell to shield you from rain and wind.
- Trousers: Two pairs of walking trousers. One full-length pair and one zip-off pair make the ideal combination.
- Socks: Three pairs of technical anti-blister socks. They are an investment your feet will be enormously grateful for.
A Basic First-Aid Kit and Other Must-Haves
Your first-aid kit should be small but complete:
- Blister supplies: Compeed, plasters, a hypodermic needle, povidone-iodine antiseptic.
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, paracetamol).
- High-factor sun cream and lip balm.
- Petroleum jelly or anti-chafing cream to apply to your feet before setting off.
- Small scissors, tweezers and surgical tape.
Do check with your doctor or pharmacist before you travel, particularly if you take other medication, and never lance a blister without thoroughly disinfecting both the area and your instruments.
Other essentials: a lightweight sleeping bag or sleeping-bag liner (compulsory in many albergues), a microfibre towel, flip-flops for the shower and for the evenings, a cap or sun hat, sunglasses, walking poles (highly recommended for taking the strain off your knees), a head torch, a refillable water bottle or hydration system, earplugs, and your personal ID along with your credencial, the pilgrim's passport.
Planning Your Stages and Your Accommodation
Once you have settled on a route and sorted your kit, it is time to think about the day-to-day. Good planning brings peace of mind, but always leave a little room for improvisation.
Setting Your Daily Stages
Camino guidebooks divide the routes into stages averaging 20-25 km, which is a sound benchmark for a beginner. Listen to your body, though: in the first few days it is wise to walk shorter stages while you find your rhythm. Do not become fixated on reaching a particular point; the Camino is not a race. The beauty of it lies in enjoying the journey, not only the destination in Santiago de Compostela. If you are looking for inspiration when choosing your stretches, take a look at the 10 most beautiful stages on the Camino.
The Comfort of an Organised Trip
For a first-time pilgrim, the logistics of tracking down and booking a bed every single day can be stressful and drain energy you would far rather spend walking, especially in high season when availability is tight. This is where the experience of a specialist agency such as OurWay makes all the difference. We plan your route around you, with the best accommodation booked and waiting at the end of every stage. We also offer services such as backpack transfer from one night's accommodation to the next, an enormous relief that lets you walk light and focus purely on the magic of the experience. With OurWay, your only concern is putting one foot in front of the other.
The Credencial and the Compostela
The credencial is your pilgrim's passport. It is a document you have stamped at albergues, churches and town halls all along your route. It proves that you have walked the Camino, and it is essential if you want to sleep in the public albergues. When you reach Santiago, if you have covered at least the final 100 km on foot (or 200 km by bike), you can present your stamped credencial at the Pilgrim's Office to receive the Compostela, the official certificate of your pilgrimage. One important detail: over those final 100 km (or 200 km by bike) the Pilgrim's Office requires at least two stamps a day; along the rest of the route, one a day is enough. We explain it all in our guide to earning your Compostela.
Final Tips for Your Adventure
- Eat and drink well: Start the day with a proper breakfast, take short breaks for something light (nuts, fruit) and make the most of the "menú del peregrino", the pilgrim's set menu, at dinner. Drink water steadily, before thirst sets in.
- Look after your feet above all else: At the end of every stage, wash and dry your feet meticulously. Check for blisters forming and deal with them straight away. Let them air as much as you possibly can.
- Follow the yellow arrows: The waymarking on the Camino is excellent. Trust the yellow arrows and the scallop shells; they will see you safely to your destination.
- Prepare yourself mentally: There will be hard days, physically and mentally. That is all part of the process. Accept the challenge, stay flexible and remember why you decided to set off in the first place. The emotional reward is immense.
In Closing: Your Adventure Is About to Begin
Preparing for the Camino de Santiago is, in itself, the beginning of the journey. With this guide you have the tools and the knowledge to organise your pilgrimage safely and thoughtfully. Choosing the right route, training properly, packing light and planning sensibly are the keys to success. But remember that the true spirit of the Camino reveals itself step by step: in every conversation with another pilgrim, in every sunrise, in the silence of the paths.
If all this has inspired you to experience this one-of-a-kind adventure, OurWay will help you get everything ready so that all you have to think about is enjoying it. Why wait any longer?
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