Walking the gorgeous Camino Trail en route to Roncesvalles | Edwina Parsons
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Camino de Santiago Tours for Seniors
Many people choose to walk the Camino de Santiago in their senior years. It's often at this stage of life people have more time to travel and to accomplish lifelong goals.
However, it must be emphasised that the community of people walking the Camino is not restricted to a certain background, age or motivation.
If you're asking yourself: "Am I too old to walk the Camino?", you should consider that many pilgrims who walk the Camino are 65 years old and older, even in their 70's and 80's. It's said that the oldest person to ever walk the Camino de Santiago was
93 years young (she walked it with her 60 year old daughter!). Thus proving you are never too old to walk the Camino!
Having said that, there are some advantages of using a Camino tour company that will help seniors accomplish a Camino pilgrimage. We provide:
- daily luggage transfers so you only walk with what you need for the day (water, light jacket, fruit);
- provide comfortable accommodation full of local character;
- give you peace of mind with 24 hour support and back up;
- and, if you're on a guided tour, the local guide will reveal cultural quirks not found in a guidebook.
- Click here to read all of the benefits for an organised Camino tour.
In this article, we'll describe the best Camino de Santiago tours for seniors that are affordable, accessible, and above all, achievable.
NEW: Guided Camino Walk for Senior Travellers
This trip provides the perfect option for those wanting a guided walk along the last stage of the pilgrimage route at a relaxed pace of between 10 to 18km per day. Completing the final 115kms to Santiago means you are eligible to receive the official Compostela certificate. Along the walk you'll gain an appreciation of the historic significance of the trail while reflecting on the meditative role that walking offers.
Interwoven through the itinerary are opportunities to extend your camino experience with honey and cheese tasting, guided visits to churches and a visit to the spiritual conclusion of the camino at Fisterra on the Atlantic coast. Enjoy the camaraderie of a small group and local guide and at night stay in atmospheric towns in a selection of comfortable hotels and guesthouses where the local flavours are introduced by your hosts.
Slower Paced Rambler Camino Tours
If you're a senior who wants the luxury of extra time to smell the roses along your Camino pilgrimage, our Camino de Santiago rambler tours are perfect for you.
Choose to walk the most popular Camino section: the
Sarria to Santiago Rambler walking tour. This is a self guided walk that completes the classic final stage of the Camino de Santiago (115km or 72 miles) in 11 days. This section is normally walked in 8 days, however, an extra 3 days have been added to allow it to be walked at a more leisurely pace. Walking this slower paced tour also qualifies you for the Compostela (Pilgrim's Certificate) once you arrive in the city of Santiago.
There is also the
Leon to Santiago Rambler walking tour that covers more of the iconic trail. This section begins in the magnificent city of Leon and can take just 15 days to complete the 245km or 152 miles, however for your added convenience we've extended this walk to 20 days. This reduces the daily walking to between 4-6 hours a day and ensures you can be fully immersed in the surroundings.
Best Of Camino Tours
Our 'Best Of' Camino tours are a popular way to experience the entire length of a Camino trail if you're a senior who doesn't necessarily want to walk the whole distance (which can take up to 50 days if you walk the Via Francigena!). Join a small group of like minded walkers and a local guide as you walk the highlights of the Camino trail.
Each day a vehicle will transfer you to a start point where you'll then walk the best section of the trail, whether it's historically significant or renowned for its beauty. Then you'll be transferred to one of the Camino's atmospheric towns, including Pamplona, Burgos and Leon, with comfortable accommodation and ample leisure time to explore the charms of the town. Note that the vehicle will be on hand to provide constant support during the walk (rest your feet if necessary!).
There are Best Of Camino tours for each of the main Camino routes:
Food Lover's Camino Tours
If you want to explore the regional gastronomic delights of France, Italy or Spain, as well as walking the world famous Camino de Santiago, our Food Lover's Camino tours are for you.
Like the Best Of Camino tours, the Food Lover's Camino tours utilises a support vehicle to drive you to walk the best sections of the Camino trail. Between this enjoyable walking and exploring the towns you overnight in, you'll get to experience first class dining experiences featuring Michellin starred restaurants, producer visits, winery tours and fresh farmer's markets.
There are Food Lover's Camino tours for France and Spain:
If you still have questions or some doubt that you are too old to walk the Camino, feel free to
get in touch with our friendly team of Camino experts. We've been helping youths, seniors, and the young at heart all make their Camino de Santiago pilgrimage since 2006.
Are you planning to walk the Camino de Santiago? Do you have any queries? Let us know in the comment section below.