Hiking Ancient Trails and Paradors of Northern Spain
Pilgrim’s Way: El Camino de Santiago
Overview
Be part of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage—El Camino de Santiago—across a landscape alive with legends. Our perfectly designed journey showcases the very best landscapes and villages along this famous trail all the way to Finisterre, mythical Kilometer 0, where we make the traditional barefoot walk on the beach. Our paths wind through foothills and forests and past exquisite Romanesque and Gothic churches. Trails are marked with scallop shells, the symbol of St. James. One of the joys of this journey is sharing the trail with pilgrims from all over the world. Along the way, we are welcomed in our carefully selected hotels, including two nights at the acclaimed Parador dos Reis Católicos in Santiago. Our expert Trip Leaders bring the history and heritage of El Camino alive with every step, right down to introducing you to the delicious specialties of each region you travel through. Buen camino!
Arrive: Burgos, Spain
Depart: Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Highlights
- With decades of experience on the Camino, we've honed this itinerary to perfection!
- Hike the most scenic portions of Spain's El Camino in nine well-paced days
- Complete the final stretch at Finisterre, walking the sands barefoot in true pilgrim tradition
- Enjoy Trip Leaders who ensure the traditions of the Camino are very much a part of your journey
- Stay in historic hotels, including the 5-star Parador dos Reis Católicos, a 15th century monastery in Santiago's central square
Itinerary
From medieval Burgos, whose Old Quarter is dominated by a masterpiece of a Gothic cathedral, we hike the Camino to remote Hontanas and across the sun-splashed plains of Castile to historic
León. We'll explore
León's soaring Gothic cathedral before heading to the walled city of Astorga. At the start of the trip, we are given a document known as the "Pilgrim's Passport," which we carry on the trail and have stamped at points along the journey.
We climb through heather and Scotch broom as we hike to the Cruz de Ferro, where for a thousand years, pilgrims have left a stone from home to make a wish (be sure to bring your stone!). One of our overnights is in charming Villafranca del Bierzo, built in the 11th century at the confluence of two rivers and surrounded by mountains. In its heyday, Bierzo had six pilgrim hospices and eight monasteries. Entering Galicia, the cultural and geographical transition is dramatic, and now we begin to hear the ancient Galician tongue, Gallego. A spectacular trail brings us to the village of O Cebreiro, long associated with the legend of the Holy Grail. Some of the most picturesque stretches of the entire pilgrim trail greet us as we hike to the whitewashed village of Portomarín.
Hiking through hamlets and farms flanked by ancient grain silos, we arrive in Santiago, where all roads lead to the vast central plaza and extraordinary twin-towered limestone cathedral containing the remains of St. James. Santiago is one of Spain's most beautiful cities and its basilica is always full of a jostling mix of pilgrims. We finish our pilgrimage in Finisterre, walking the last part of the trail barefoot along the beach. Depart on Day 9.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 14 miles a day and being on your feet for up to 8 hours a day. You will also need to be able to keep up with the moderate but steady pace of the group as there are no alternative hiking options available. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 8 miles
- 4-6 hours
- 1,000 feet gain/loss
- Day 5 - 14 miles, 8.5 hours, 900 feet gain, and 1,000 feet loss
Our hikes are over easy to moderate terrain, with well-marked paths throughout. We will occasionally walk a few miles on pavement, but most of the hiking will be on dirt paths. The first two days of the trip include a half day of hiking and a half day of learning about the history of the Camino in the local towns. The rest of the days include a morning hike until around 1:00 pm and an afternoon hike from 2:30 pm until 5:00 pm.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercise. Stair climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.
While we have timed our trip for ideal hiking weather, you should be prepared for a variety of conditions. In spring and fall, the days are usually warm and dry but not too hot. Nights can be quite cool. There is typically sunshine, but showers can occur at any time.
You will be welcomed each night in our carefully selected hotels and paradors, including two nights at the extraordinary Parador Dos Reis Catolicos. While not luxurious, the rest of our accommodations are in nice hotels that are comfortable and well located on the Camino. Since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
A buffet breakfast is served at our hotel each morning with fruit, bread, whole grains, cold cuts, cheese, butter, ham, olive oil, tomato, yogurt, coffee, and tea. We'll enjoy lunches in cafés or restaurants along the trail that offer local foods including cheeses, fresh vegetables, salamis, ham, fresh fruit, and bread. These are the typical restaurants where pilgrims stop to eat, and they give us a great chance to be part of the community. Pilgrims come from all over the world to hike El Camino, and are always very friendly and willing to share their experiences. Some of the items you'll see on the menu are hearty soups, a variety of cheeses and hams from the region (including jamón serrano), salads, pimientos del padrón (roasted green peppers), and trout served the Spanish way (expect to see the whole fish!). We often don't convene for our lunches until around 1:00 pm as lunch starts late in Spain. Dinner is at our hotel or a nearby restaurant and includes other local specialties like lamb and fresh seafood. Please note that in Spain, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 8:00 pm.
Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need during the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day).
Client Testimonials
"What a fabulous experience We loved the trip. The guides were well prepared and extremely knowledgeable."
Ann and John L.
Beaverton, OR
"Such a wonderful trip! We have recommended it to many friends already! The attention to detail, the provision of wonderful food, wines, snacks, and even happy hours at the end of most days hiking were just the best."
Ann C.
Seattle, WA
"If there was a rating above excellent, I would assign it to the components of this trip: guides, food, and itinerary design. Even the "van time" was well planned (and relatively brief) so that it was a break between walks, rather than dead time. Thank you!"
Betsy S.
Kennebunkport, ME
"This trip was beyond wonderful. Every detail was planned perfectly, extraordinary guides, and beautiful hikes. We love Wilderness Travel—we will be planning trip number four with you, and we tell all our friends about how great your company is."
Chris R.
West Chester, PA
"I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the Trip Leaders were a very positive part of the trip."
Denice W.
Portland, OR
"I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the guides were a very positive part of the trip."
Denise W.
Portland, OR
"Wilderness has once again delivered an amazing trip for all aboard. Great leaders, great guests, and a great experience. This is a complex intinerary—different hotels every night, all the meal arrangements along the way—and yet there was not a glitch the whole trip, including perfect weather! Everything was handled perfectly."
Dickie A.
Fernandina Beach, FL
"Another well designed WT journey—from the itinerary, lodges, timing on the trail and at the historic sites. This was a spiritual journey for me, and it will stay in my heart forever."
Dorothy F.
Basalt, CO
"Excellent! This was my first experience with Wilderness Travel, and I was more than pleased."
Ellen M.
Aiken, SC
"The trip was a fabulous experience—physically, socially,and spiritually. We're impressed with the entire organization and can't wait to travel with Wilderness Travel next year. I am already perusing the catalog!"
Gwen M.
Houston, TX
"A fantastic experience! Our Trip Leaders were both wonderful—always on top of everything, with great personalities."
J. Robertson
Houston, TX
"I had high expectations for this venture, but it was so much more than I had imagined. It was a fantastic experience that will stay in the forefront of my memories."
Jan P.
Portland, OR
"I cannot say enough good things about this trip. Everything was expertly organized, every day was different, I felt extremely well looked after!"
Janet W.
Calgary, Alberta
"Thank you so much for a life changing adventure. It is one I will never forget."
Joan W.
Owen Sound, Ontario
"A very interesting hiking trip with lots of history and legend attached to it. Great guides and good food made for another memorable WT adventure."
Johanna T.
La Jolla, CA
"This was just what I like in a trip; being out and about in the countryside and towns. The Trip Leaders were exceptional in having local cuisine and wines arranged at our meals. I really enjoyed the variety of hotel accommodations."
Jon D.
Montgomery, AL
"The trip was the perfect mix of culture, hiking and cuisine with a truly outstanding leader."
Joseph C.
Campbell, PA
"It was a fascinating and inspiring trip. We would recommend it highly."
Judith S.
Chevy Chase, MD
"Best tour I've been on, and one of the best trips of my life!"
Judy C.
Albany, CA
"Loved this trip! It was great, every minute of it. Wonderful hotels, and loved the picnics."
Julie A.
Little Rock, AK
"This was a trip of a lifetime! Couldn't imagine it could have turned out so well. From the Trip Leaders, my fellow travelers who started as strangers and ended up as friends, to the paths we hiked, the food we ate, the hotels we visited, the local guides we had along the way, it couldn't have been a better experience. Don't change a thing!"
Katherine B.
Santa Clara, CA
"Journey of a lifetime—great guides, fascinating cultural education, and wonderful food and wine."
Kathy I.
Charlotte, NC
"An excellent trip: beautifully curated and expertly led."
Kay R.
Doylestown, PA
"Hiking the Pilgrim's Way was an awesome, humbling, spiritual experience."
Kelly H.
Honeoye Falls, NY
"Would do it again!"
Ken B.
Gig Harbor, WA
"This was a most enjoyable experience! Everyone had a great time."
Linda G.
Wilton, CT
"Rob's sense of humor was contagious, and his knowledge of geology and history added to the overall experience."
Linda M.
New Bern, NC
"Starting in the flat cropland and moving through the heather, then the rolling hills and on through the Galacian forests was to us the perfect survey of the countryside."
Linda M.
New Bern, NC
"The Pilgrim's Way trip through northern Spain far exceeded our expectations in every way! It was our first time visiting the country, and we knew we would have a fantastic experience going with Wilderness Travel again. The daily choices of spectacular scenic hiking, unbelievably fabulous gourmet food and wine of the region, comfortable and charming hotels, and our delightful and outstanding leaders made it an OVER THE TOP nine days on the Camino De Santiago!"
Margaret T.
Holtville, CA
"Amazing experience! I can't imagine a better way to experience the Camino de Santiago! WT has really organized a great Camino experience for those of us without the time or endurance to tackle a 6-week strenuous walk. Our group was able to experience full walking days along the most varied and beautiful parts of the Camino, while also taking in the local art, architecture, cathedral tours, wonderful meals, and history along the way."
Margaret V.
Danville, CA
"This was my very first WT experience and it far exceeded my expectations. Exceptional value!"
Marjorie G.
Montgomery, AL
"Wonderful accommodations and extraordinary food! I loved the variety of the hikes, the history and the culture, and the laughter and fun we shared on the trip. At the end of every day I would think, wow, this was the best day ever, yet the next day would prove to be just as wonderful, up until the very end."
Mary Jo B.
Seattle, WA
"An unforgettable experience! I thought the itinerary was an excellent blend of culture, history, and hiking."
Mattie V.
Tampa, FL
"Great trip, great company, great way to see northern Spain!"
Mike C.
El Dorado Hills, CA
"I so enjoyed this trip. Spain has romanced me. I will be coming back."
Paige W.
Tucson, AZ
"Loved, loved, loved this trip! Everything was perfect—the hiking, the food, the hotels, the weather, the countryside, the villages, the churches, the larger cities, our guides, and the nicest group of people you could ever meet!"
Peggy C.
Moraga, CA
"Our guides were amazing, always helpful, timely, respectful, and genuinely invested in our trip experience and safety. Perfect!"
Sally S.
Winston-Salem, NC
"This was a wonderful trip that more than met my expectations. The accomodations were more than adequate, the meals were delicious, and I couldn't have asked for better guides."
Sara C.
El Dorado Hills, CA
"On a scale from 1-10 this was a 15!!!!!"
Sherry S.
Long Beach, CA
"Absolutely EVERYTHING about this trip was perfect: itinerary, food, lodgings, trip leaders, educational opportunities. A perfect example of why Wilderness Travel will always be our first choice when planning adventures."
Susan W.
Albuquerque, NM
"Our Pilgrim’s Way began with rain as we left the splendor of the Burgos Cathedral and ended with rain as we walked the shell-strewn sands of Finisterre. But in between? Well, in between, it was filled with joy, beauty, dancing, singing, dramatic readings, witches, history, camaraderie, delicious food, delectable wines, charming villages, vibrant cities, hidden restaurants, incredible trip leaders, friendly people, time for reflection, the hypnotic crunch of one’s boots on the path and, oh, yes, sunshine that had us peeling off layers of clothes as we walked through the exquisite and varied landscapes of the camino."
Virginia V.
Salem, OR
"Everything about this trip was thoroughly enjoyable—the itinerary, the people, the food, and the leaders. Even the weather turned out to be exceptional. This is our second trip with WT, and we hope to do more!"
Yolanda (Yoli) S.
Miami Beach, FL
FAQs
The Camino de Santiago can be done any time of year, however, the months of April-June and September-October are the best months to experience the trail. Read more about the differences between each month below.
Most pilgrim trails funnel into a few main routes within Spain on their way to Santiago de Compostela, with the classic "Camino Frances" (French Way) being the most popular. This is the route that we recommend, and have selected the most beautiful hiking sections for our journey.
El Camino de Santiago — the Way of St. James — is the name for the hundreds of miles of collective pathways that have guided pilgrims to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela for more than 1,000 years. The reason for the great pilgrimage was (and still is, for many) a matter of faith in the miraculous power of St. James.
The trail follows everything from country roads to cow paths as we travel through rural regions that see few outsiders aside from pilgrims. Of course, all hiking days are a bit different, and the weather always has the final say, but the following is a sense of a typical day on the trail.
- We have handcrafted a journey that in just nine days brings you to the best of the landscapes and villages, skipping areas that parallel highways or developed areas.
- Our expert Trip Leaders share phenomenal knowledge of the culture and history of the region and bring El Camino and its traditions to life.
- Our support van is available several times a day to provide refreshments or to give you a lift if you'd like to shorten the hiking day.
- You'll be welcomed each night in our carefully selected hotels and paradors, including two nights at the extraordinary Parador Dos Reis Católicos. No barebones hostels, we want you to rest in comfort as you make this historic pilgrimage!
- We bring you all the way to legendary Finisterre, with a grand finale at "the end of the earth," mythical Kilometer 0 on the pilgrim trail.
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.