Must-Do in 2018: 5 Roads On The Camino de Santiago

The walking season for the Camino de Santiago is well under away and is an increasingly popular walking trail year after year. Whether you are looking for the ‘easy’ way to get the Compostela Certificate, a food-focused walk or want to tackle the Camino de Santiago by mountain bike, here are five ways to 'do' the Camino de Santiago pilgrim tour.

The ‘Easy’ Way on the Camino de Santiago

Cathedral in Compostela de Santiago-UTracks Travel Pilgrims travelling from England and Ireland to walk the last stretch of ‘El Camino’ used to arrive by ship in A Coruña or nearby Ferrol. Today this has become a popular starting point of the so-called English Way to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims taking this road still qualify for the all-important ‘Compostela Certificate’. The route through Galicia takes in classic seaside towns, woodlands of fragrant eucalyptus and rolling meadows, with churches, monasteries and crosses marking the way.

The Pilgrim's Way via Portugal

Road sign on Camino de Santiago in Portugal-UTracks Travel Pilgrims looking for an alternative experience on the Camino de Santiago can now reach St James’ resting place via the south by following Caminho Portugués (or the Portuguese Way). Often overlooked and much quieter, the Portuguese path – from Lisbon to Coimbra, on to Porto and finally Santiago – combines a wealth of history with picturesque rural landscapes. While this road is traditionally walked by pilgrims, this new self-guided cycling trip makes it possible to enjoy the route by bicycle in just over two weeks.

The Foodie Way

Camino de Santiago for Foodie Lovers-UTracks Travel A new trend to the classic pilgrimage route to Santiago is to combine your passion for good food with the trail’s incredible history. Make sure to cover the best sections of the trail, which comprise the original route from Oviedo, the coastal route, and the classic French Route. The local cuisine is everywhere along these roads; from the heart of the Basque’s modern cuisine to the ancient family recipes in the small villages on the Camino. You can for example look at a 15-day Camino foodie tour so that you can experience a mix of special gourmet dinners, regional cuisine and home cooking, and of course wine tasting!

The Way for Cycling Lovers

Cycling Camino de Santiago-UTracks Travel If you begin just over half way along the Camino trail in the historic cathedral city of Leon, you can experience the best of the route. The landscape, with its monuments and villages of northern Spain, you’re then cycling in is some of the most interesting along the trail to Santiago de Compostela. But, cycling up to 45 miles per day, often over undulating to mountainous terrain, means it’s not for the faint hearted! En route, there are many occasions for pilgrims to step off their saddle and savour the rich Spanish gastronomy and excellent regional wines. UTracks has two fantastic cycling itineraries to do this part of the Spanish Camino by bike, staying in typical local atmospheric hotels.

The Full French Way of St James

Walking the Way of St James-Camino de Santiago-UTracks Travel It has represented the adventure of a lifetime for pilgrims and history buffs alike for more than 1,000 years. At present, if you have 40 days to spare, it is possible to complete the full length of the lesser known French section of the Way of St James. That route goes from Le Puy-en-Velay near the Loire River to Saint Jean Pied de Port in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Along the way there are numerous churches and monasteries dotting the landscape. While doing this full section of the Camino de Santiago, it almost feels like you’re in a ‘travelling museum’ of Romanesque art!   The holy year for pilgrims was celebrated in 2016 from 8 December 2015 until 20 November 2016. During the previous Holy Year of Mercy, in 2010, travelling to the Camino de Santiago was a must-do among pilgrims. If you have been planning on walking the iconic Camino de Compostela trail, doing it in a Holy Year of Mercy, will make your experience even more special. Accommodation in parts along the road will be very limited though, so we advise to book as early as possible. You can contact our team of experts for all the options UTracks offers along the Camino de Santiago.
Camino, France, Portugal, Spain

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