Spain
The Greatest Road in Europe: Camino De Santiago
Program No. 3601RJ
Experience one of the world’s great walking routes as you learn about ancient cathedrals, religious icons and medieval Europe along the wondrous Camino de Santiago.
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14 days
13 nights
29 meals
12B 10L 7D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
11
Sarria, Portomarin, Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
12
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Free Time
Santiago de Compostela
At a Glance
Over Roman causeways, medieval roads, wooden bridges and mountain passes, people for centuries have made their pilgrimage across northern Spain to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela — the purported resting place of the apostle James — to seek forgiveness of their sins. Following in footsteps that are more than 1,000 years old, walk the Camino de Santiago and experience the legends, architecture, food and wine along the greatest road in Europe.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking 4-8 miles over mixed terrain including mountain trails with uneven surfaces, tree roots, rocky areas, and occasional steep ascents and descents. Elevations up to 4,900 feet. Please refer to the activity notes in the day-by-day itinerary for further details.
Participants attending this program should have some hiking experience and are required to be steady on their feet, have good vision, and the ability to navigate the types of terrain listed with little to no assistance.
Sturdy walking/hiking shoes are required. Collapsible hiking poles are recommended.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about the mysterious legends of the Camino de Santiago and the medieval architecture of Northern Spain.
- Seek out one of the most widely venerated relics, “Holy Galician Grail,” in O'Cebreiro.
- Savor the diverse traditional cuisine in the different regions along the Camino de Santiago.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Nacho Engel
Nacho Engel is a professional certified walking instructor who has been leading explorations in Scandinavia, Spain, and Portugal for 25 years. During that time, he spent four years living in Finnish Lapland, where he worked as a wilderness guide. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Nacho has also led explorations on the Camino de Santiago — the pilgrimage route across northern Spain — for 12 years now. He holds a degree in civil engineering from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, and he continues to make his home in Spain.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Nacho Engel
View biography
Nacho Engel is a professional certified walking instructor who has been leading explorations in Scandinavia, Spain, and Portugal for 25 years. During that time, he spent four years living in Finnish Lapland, where he worked as a wilderness guide. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Nacho has also led explorations on the Camino de Santiago — the pilgrimage route across northern Spain — for 12 years now. He holds a degree in civil engineering from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, and he continues to make his home in Spain.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Greatest Road in Europe: Camino De Santiago
Program Number: 3601
Steps Out of Time
In her reflective memoir Soper recounts a secular pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago, detailing the fascinating history and traditions of the ancient way along with its breathtaking beauty, great food and extraordinary camaraderie.
Northern Spain Adventure Map
A nicely detailed, overview map of the western (coastal) part of Northern Spain and the Way of St. James at a scale of 1:500,000. Extends as far east as San Sebastian. One Side. 33x49 inches.
The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago, The Complete Cultural Handbook
A kilometer-by-kilometer guide to the route of St. James across northern Spain with copious information on the historical and artistic sites along the way. You probably won’t want it in your daypack, but in your suitcase it will be invaluable for previews of the following day and reflections on the preceding one.
The Pilgrim's Guide to Santiago de Compostela
This is the original guide used by 12th-century pilgrims along the sacred way, reprinted with an introduction by a professor of Medieval Studies, plus endnotes and a gazetteer. It's an excellent, hugely informative presentation of this curiosity.
Pilgrimage: A Very Short Introduction
A quick, authoritative survey of the pilgrimage: its history, meaning and ongoing evolution.
Travels with My Donkey
In this wickedly comic account of grand adventures on the 500-mile pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela with a French-speaking donkey, Moore salts his anecdotes of fellow travelers and grand adventures with an account of the history and culture of the medieval Way of St. James.
Pilgrimage to the End of the World, The Road to Santiago de Compostela
An engaging, literary account of 11 weeks of travels from Le Puy along the way of St. James, 1,000 miles all told.
The Camino Made Easy: Reflections of a Parador Pilgrim, Three Walking Tours on the Way of St. James through Spain and Portugal to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre
A fascinating, detailed account of the author’s three walking tours to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre on the path of St. James. Olivia Pittet describes her personal experience as well as thoughts and feelings, some quite intimate, of those she encounters. The book is rich in historical background, sprinkled with quotes from the likes of Keats, Dickens and Stevenson and contains several black and white photos.
The Miracles of St. James, Translations from the Liber Sancti Jacobi
The English translation of a Medieval writings on the pilgrimage to Santiago, and the miracles of St. James, from the Codex Calixtinus.
Pilgrim Stories, On and Off the Road to Santiago
The sights, sounds -- and meaning -- of modern journeys along the "Camino de Santiago," according to interviews with those who travel it.
The Basque History of the World
Kurlansky's engaging portrait of the seven provinces of Basque lands takes in everything from language to culinary heritage, role in the Spanish Civil War and seafaring traditions.
A Traveller's History of Spain
This survey of Spanish history features a useful chronology, historical gazetteer and a long section on contemporary life. It covers early settlements through the Romans, Goths and Moors to the present.
Roads to Santiago, A Modern-Day Pilgrimage Through Spain
An exhilarating but erudite portrait of modern and historic Spain. Nooteboom writes quite brilliantly of Spanish art, philosophy, history, architecture and culture, as well as of the people he encountered.
Paris to the Pyrenees
David Downie's spirited book is haunted by the Gallo-Roman forebears of modern France. On ancient trails through the forests of the rugged Morvan, they continued across the celebrated wine country of Burgundy and the centuries-old Via Podiensis on the Way of Saint James.
The Camino, A Journey of the Spirit
The much-reincarnated, ever-brave entertainer treks 500-miles across Northern Spain on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, interweaving travelogue, commentary and journeys both actual and interior in this personal journal.
The Sun Also Rises
Hemingway's great novel, which encapsulates the angst of the post-WWI "Lost Generation," is the story of unmoored American and British expats travelling from Paris to Pamplona.
Wanderlust, A History of Walking
Solnit's wide-ranging, literate and thoroughly enlightening essays on the multiple means of walking touches upon, among many things, the origins of bipedalism, famous flaneurs and walking as a form of rebellion. Terrific.
Eyewitness Guide Northern Spain
A literate, visually rich guide to Northern Spain from Galicia across Asturias and the Basque Country to La Rioja to the Pyrenees.
Off the Road, A Modern-Day Walk Down the Pilgrim's Route Into Spain
An American abroad, popular NPR contributor Hitt unleashes his wit and wonder in this account of his trek, 500-miles across Spain to Santiago de Compostela. Naturally, he falls in with an odd assortment of fellow pilgrims, and adventures ensue.
Spain, A Traveler's Literary Companion
A collection of 30 stories from a who’s who of contemporary Spanish literature, including writers from Galicia, Leon, the Basque Country, Madrid and Barcelona.