WHICH CAMINO ROUTE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE – GUIDANCE + QUIZ.
The Camino de Santiago offers a variety of routes, each providing unique experiences for pilgrims. Choosing the right path depends on factors such as available time, desired difficulty, and personal interests. Below is an overview of the main Camino routes to assist you in making an informed decision.
We’ve personally walked the Camino de Santiago seven times in just the last 3 years. As such, we’ve got pretty good knowledge of all of the main routes.
Choosing the route to take is one of, if not, the biggest decisions you’ll make about your Camino experience. This guide and our quiz can hep you to make that all important decision.
Which is the most beautiful Camino route? And which is the easiest? But more importantly, which is the best route for you?
The main Camino routes
Let’s start with a basic question, is there more than one Camino de Santiago route?
There are in fact multiple Camino de Santiago routes. Over 200 Camino routes have been registered, many of them are minor alterations to the main routes. In terms of established Camino routes, there are seven that we most well known.
The main seven routes (plus two that we think will become more popular) can be found in the map below.
1. Camino Francés (French Way)
- Length: Approximately 780 km (485 miles)
- Starting Point: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France
- Duration: Typically 4 to 5 weeks
- What we liked:
- Passes through notable cities such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, and León
- Diverse landscapes including the Pyrenees, vineyards of La Rioja, and the Meseta plateau
- Great food and wine on route, many fine dining options as well as hearty grub
- Lively atmosphere and opportunity to socialize
- Great infrastructure, good on a budget and felt safe
- Lots of lovely walking trails and much less road than the other main Camino routes
- Popularity: The most travelled route, offering a well-established infrastructure with numerous albergues (hostels) and services
- What we didn’t like: Can be crowded, especially during peak seasons, there’s a risk that it could feel “generic” if you stick to the same daily stages as the majority of pilgrims.
Find our daily stages guide for the Camino Frances here.
2. Camino Portugués (Portuguese Way)
There are many different ways to walk the Portuguese route. It’s common parlance to refer to the inland version of the Portuguese route from either Lisbon and Porto as the “central” or “inland” Portuguese route.
Whilst the coastal variant, which runs from Porto to Santiago is called the “Portuguese coastal.” Within the coastal route, you can also follow the Spiritual Variant (a few days on a slightly different route entering Padron).
Phew! It gets complicated really fast – luckily we have guides for the Inland/ Central route and the Coastal route, so you can feast on as much information as you like.
- Length: Approximately 610 km (380 miles) from Lisbon; 240 km (150 miles) from Porto
- Starting Points: Lisbon or Porto, Portugal
- Duration: 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the starting point
- What we liked:
- Coastal scenery (on the coastal route) and historic towns on both
- Option to choose between the inland route and the coastal route and option to add Spiritual Variant – you can make the route you own
- It’s a lot of fun walking / taking the boat from Portugal to Spain and travelling into two countries
- Portuguese food/wine and Spanish food/wine – win win
- This can be a great budget option – especially the section in Portugal
- Flatter terrain makes it accessible to for pilgrims with varying fitness levels
- A great Camino to “dip your toe in the water” – for example, I recently took my Mum on her first Camino on the Portuguese route for a few days to try it (spoiler – she loved it.)
- Popularity: Second most popular route (the coastal variant), with increasing infrastructure
- What we didn’t like: The route doesn’t feel as challenging as others, walking form Porto takes between 10 and 14 days and it can feel like its all over too soon when arriving to Santiago.
3. Camino del Norte (Northern Way)
- Length: Approximately 825 km (513 miles)
- Starting Point: Irún, near the French border
- Duration: About 4 weeks
- What we liked:
- Stunning coastal views along Spain’s northern coast
- Passes through cities like San Sebastián, Bilbao, and Santander
- Incredible food and wine
- Getting to visit lesser known regions, like Cantabria and Asturias – each region on route has a totally different vibe
- As this is a less popular route, you see the same pilgrims along the way many times. It feels like a really collegiate experience.
- Popularity: Less crowded than the Camino Francés, offering a more solitary experience
- What we didn’t like: We had some challenges with accommodation and had to walk a few longer days, private accommodation on the coast can be expensive. This route has the most road walking of the main routes.
Find our daily stages guide for the Camino del Norte here.
4. Camino Primitivo (Original Way)
- Length: Approximately 321 km (200 miles)
- Starting Point: Oviedo, Spain
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Highlights:
- Considered the oldest Camino route
- Traverses mountainous regions with breathtaking scenery
- Popularity: Less traveled, ideal for those seeking solitude
- Considerations: Challenging due to rugged terrain; best suited for experienced hikers – we hope to hike this route in 2025.
5. Camino Inglés (English Way)
- Length: Approximately 119 km (74 miles) from Ferrol
- Starting Point: Ferrol or A Coruña, Spain
- Duration: 3 to 7 days
- What we liked:
- Historically used by pilgrims arriving by sea from
- England and Ireland
- Lush Galician countryside and coastal views
- A Coruna is a fun city and a good place to start
- Suitable when you don’t have time for the other routes
- Popularity: Gaining popularity due to its shorter length
- What we didn’t like: Fairly limited accommodation in some areas, the route only travels through Galicia.
6. Camino de Finisterre and Muxía
Length: Approximately 90 km (56 miles) to Finisterre; an additional 28 km (17 miles) to Muxía
Starting Point: Santiago de Compostela
Duration: 3 to 5 days
What we liked:
- Continues to the Atlantic coast, traditionally considered the “end of the world”
- Scenic coastal landscapes
- Feels like an emotional and spiritual adventure
Popularity: Often undertaken as an extension after reaching SantiagoWhat we didn’t like: The weather near to the coast can be inclement – even in the summer.
What we didn’t like: The weather near to the coast can be inclement – even in the summer.
Find our guide to the daily stages of the Camino Finisterre here.
Choosing the Right Camino Route for You
When selecting a Camino route, consider the following factors:
1/ Time Available: Longer routes like the Camino Francés require over a month, while shorter routes like the Camino Inglés can be completed in under a week. But, don’t forget that you can do a section of one of the longer routes.
Many pilgrims choose to walk just the last 100km – this is because this is the minimum required to obtain your Compostela in Santiago. If that’s not a consideration for you, then you could consider walking between two cities – like from San Sebastian to Bilbao or Leon to Santiago.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, get in touch. We plan bespoke Camino itineraries based on our personal requirements.
2/ Physical Fitness: Some routes, such as the Camino Primitivo, involve challenging terrain and are better suited for experienced hikers.
I would also include the Camino del Norte in this bracket. That said, the routes can be adapted to meet your own requirements for fitness and pace. Plus, with enough time you can train. So don’t rule yourself out too soon!
Find our Camino training plan here.
3/ Desired Experience: If you seek camaraderie and a social atmosphere, the Camino Francés or the Portuguese route is ideal. For solitude and reflection, consider the Camino del Norte or Camino Primitivo. But also consider the time of year when you walk, as this will determine how many people are on route.
4/ Scenery Preferences: Coastal views are prominent on the Camino del Norte and the Portuguese Coastal Way, while the Camino Francés offers diverse inland landscapes.
5/ Cultural Interests: Routes like the Camino Francés pass through numerous historic towns and cities, enriching the cultural experience. That said, every route that I’ve taken has given more than enough in terms of culture and chance for spiritual reflection.
Each Camino route offers a unique journey, allowing you to choose one that aligns with your personal goals and preferences. Whether seeking spiritual growth, physical challenge, or cultural immersion, the Camino de Santiago provides a path that caters to every pilgrim’s aspirations.
Which route should you take: A quiz
Still undecided? Find our short quiz below.
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