Walking the Camino in 8 Days

The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage that sees walkers converge on Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Santiago de Compostela has been the focus of pilgrim trails since the tomb of St James was unearthed in the 9^th century, and walks spiderweb through Spain, Portugal, and France to get to there. The longest trails can take well over a month to complete and have been compared to child birth – one of the most challenging yet rewarding things you will do in your life! However, it certainly doesn't have to be that gruelling. If you have less time on your hands (or don’t want to face a month in hiking shoes), you can still have an amazing experience on the Camino in just eight days.

The last 100 kilometres (62 miles) can be covered on one of the below tours from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela in eight days, with only six of them walking days. Along this leg there is some undulating terrain and while it is scenically hilly, there are no really steep ascents or descents to tackle. A reasonably good level of fitness is required to complete the walk and enjoy all the scenery and charm along the way (of which there is plenty!).

You will follow the yellow guidance arrows and shell symbols that line the path, stopping for a picnic lunch or checking out the charming village markets along the way. You’ll pass through rich agricultural farmland and oak groves, over old stone bridges, and wind along trickling streams as the countryside unfolds before you. Quaint villages sit along the trail showcasing local handicrafts, regional produce, and architecture aplenty. Admire the old churches, the lively town squares, and the street side cafes where you can rest your feet and get to know the locals. There are also plenty of rest areas for walkers where you can swap stories and share a deep sense of camaraderie with people from all over the globe drawn to this same pocket of the world as you.

There are different ways to tackle the trail, either with a guided group or on a self-guided adventure. Walk the Camino de Santiago over 8 days on a G Adventures small group tour that brings together a maximum of 16 kindred spirits covering roughly 20-25 kilometres (12-15 miles) each day. You’ll be accompanied by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer on the trip, who will take care of all arrangements and take the hassle out of your travels. They can give you local insights, provide information on the regions you travel through, and recommend the best place to indulge in some traditional Spanish tapas! You can expect to stay in family run hotels or pensions along the trail and a support vehicle will ferry your luggage between them so all you need to do is carry your backpack and enjoy the journey! If this tour leaves you hungry for more, you can kick it off with two days in Madrid on the Camino de Santiago Encompassed itinerary.

If you prefer to tackle the trail independently but have all the logistics taken care of, you can spend a week self-guided on the Camino with the essentials organised by Peregrine Adventures. You’ll be provided with route notes and a map to get between your daily destinations, and your luggage will be transported to your pre-arranged accommodation each day. You’ll stay in a mix of hotels, pensions and guesthouses along the way. Your journey will see you cover an average of 22 kilometres (14 miles) daily, while enjoying the flexibility to take things at your own pace. This is a great option if you want the challenges of planning taken out of the equation, so you can focus on the challenge and reward of this active adventure!