Pilgrim's Way

El Camino de Santiago—the Way of St. James—traces a thousand-year-old pilgrimage route to the Holy City of Santiago de Compostela through some of Europe’s most intriguing landscapes, from the ancient kingdom of Castile to green, mystical Galicia, a romantic hidden corner of Spain alive with legends and Celtic heritage. We hike truly evocative portions of this famed long-distance footpath, following Castile’s sunny country lanes marked with the scallop shell, the symbol of St. James, and Galicia’s trails through mist-shrouded forests of giant gnarled oaks. Along the way, we relish the Romanesque architecture, meet fellow pilgrims along the trail, and stay in historic inns and splendid paradors—including the 5-star Parador Los Reis Católicos, a 15th century monastery on Santiago’s main square.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Burgos / León / Astorga

We meet in Burgos, the historic capital of Castile, and start our hike above the remote village of Hontanas, where we first see the trail markers of el camino—signs displaying stylized yellow scallop shells with star-rays pointing the way. After hiking through the Castilian landscape to Castrojeriz, a classic pilgrim town, we head to medieval León to explore its 9th century basilica. Continuing to the walled city of Astorga, we hike right to our charming hotel, nestled in an old stone village on the pilgrim path.

Days 3-5
Villafranca del Bierzo / O’Ceibreiro / Portomarin

Entering rural Galicia, we climb paths through woodlands and across dramatic moors of heather and Scotch broom, characteristic of the wild Galician landscape. In this isolated region, we hike past ancient thatch-roofed houses, farms with carts pulled by oxen, and tiny abandoned villages. Our path brings us to the famous Cruz de Hiero, an iron cross mounted atop Monte Irago. For a thousand years, pilgrims have carried a single stone here from their homeland to place below the cross and make a wish (don’t forget to bring yours!). The next day we hike to the mystical Celtic mountaintop village of O’Ceibreiro, whose tiny church has a chalice linked in legend with the Holy Grail. We pass through some of the loveliest stretches of the entire pilgrim trail on our hike between the whitewashed village of Portomarin and ancient Samos.

Days 6-8
La Coruña / Santiago de Compostela

A hike through the Galician countryside brings us through hamlets and farms flanked by ancient grain silos and past numerous wayside crosses. Arriving in Santiago, a medieval city of golden granite, we explore this sacred city, with its extraordinary twin-towered cathedral containing the remains of St. James. Depart on Day 8.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate. The trip involves 3-8 hours of hiking daily. Trip participants carry a daypack only, as luggage is transported by vehicle between overnight stops. Your feet should be fully prepared for the hikes—you should be accustomed to walking in sturdy, well broken-in hiking boots. Lunches are enjoyed in cafes along the way, incorporating local foods including cheeses, fresh vegetables, salamis, copa and ham, fresh fruit, and delicious bread. Please note that it is not possible to create alternative hiking or touring programs on any given day. For trip members who are not up for walking on certain days, there is the possibility of skipping the hike and continuing to the next stop in the van. On two nights (Days 3 and 7), we enjoy overnights in beautiful paradors, historic buildings of distinguished architecture that have been transformed into luxurious hotels.

Explanation of Trip Levels