John Brierley: Camino Guidebook Author

Statue on the Compostela Trail to Santiago

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John Brierley: Camino Guidebook Author

The Renowned Spiritual & Informative Writer of the Camino Trails

If you’re considering a Camino pilgrimage, or if you’ve already journeyed a route, the name John Brierley will probably be very familiar to you.

John is the author of several Camino guidebooks that are known for their strong attention to detail and spiritual commentary. He regularly walks the Camino trails and keeps his guidebooks up to date.

Pilgrims on a self guided walk along the Camino in Spain | <i>Sue Finn</i>

Renowned Camino Guidebook author John Brierley

With titles such as A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago and A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino Portuguese: The Portuguese Way of St James, and the subtitle A Practical & Mystical Manual for the Modern Day Pilgrim, John’s writings are a trusted source on the Camino route.

The shells and arrows that mark the Way can be found everywhere on the Camino | <i>Sue Finn</i>

The shells and arrows that mark the Way can be found everywhere on the Camino | <i>Sue Finn</i>

About John Brierley

Formerly a Chartered Surveyor in Ireland, when John was at a career mid-point he decided to take an opportunity for a business sabbatical, what he calls being “off the treadmill for a year!”

He travelled to Scotland with his family to reassess life and his own impending existential crisis and ever since he’s ‘reordered his priorities towards a spiritual perspective’. John believes in the ‘idea of business sabbaticals as an antidote to burn out and pilgrimage as a way to reappraise life's purpose became his abiding passion’. This notion of self discovery and reflection is common amongst pilgrims along the Camino paths.

“My main emphasis and interest is the exploration of the inner spiritual pathways that lead to self discovery as opposed to discovery of the physical landscape alone. I find that taking time out from our ‘normal’ activities to adventure into nature invariably leads to reflection on the deeper issues of our lives and our reason for being here.”

Different Options on the Camino de Santiago

There are many different routes that lead from all corners of Europe to the final resting place of the apostle St James in Santiago de Compostela. The most well-known pilgrimage walk takes you from the Pyrenees along the Camino Frances to the famous cathedral. Below, we have listed several links to the different options you have on this trail.

For those that are interested in the other options to walk, or cycle a Camino pilgrimage trail, please take a look at our complete Camino Trails overview.

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Meet John in Sydney

UTracks is proud to be hosting John Brierley for a night of inspiration and reflection on the Camino trails. If you're in Sydney the evening of Wednesday 23rd October, please register your attendance and come along.

Listen to John as he discusses the many Camino routes that exist across Europe and how pilgrims can spread economic and environmental impacts by exploring less well known paths. He will also explore how taking time out from our normal lives to walk a Camino leads to self discovery and reflection.

Our UTracks Camino expert Jaclyn will also be on hand to present a showcase of the wide range of Camino trails on offer for walking and cycling; including new trips such as Sicily's Magna Via Francigena and Spain's Camino Sanabres and the Lighthouse Way.

John and Jaclyn will be available to answer your Camino questions and offer advice and insights. Feel free to bring your guidebooks for John to sign (new editions will also be available to purchase on the evening).

Details: Wednesday, 23 October 2019 at 6pm in the UTracks Sydney office (Level 5, 71 York Street). Attendees must register and confirm – do so at this link.

Have you used John's guidebooks on a Camino pilgrimage? Let us know which trail you walked in the comments.

Camino, John Brierley

Comments (2)

Jenny Heesh

I’m on my third Brierley guide since 2012 for the Camino Frances. I like the Brierley guides for the Mystical Paths and JB’s personal reflections. The guidebook isn’t purely a guide with maps and elevations etc - not only does it have all the practical information needed - it also serves as my bible on the Camino. I never go on camino without it.

5 years ago

William | UTracks

His guidebooks do add another meaningful dimension to walking the Camino. Thanks for sharing Jenny. What's your next Camino going to be?