Way of St James - Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James, is a UNESCO World Heritage
route which developed in importance as a religious pilgrimage during the Middle
Ages.
It was during the 10th century that the first pilgrims travelled along what
is now known as the Northern Way following the coast of Cantabria. The
Reconquest of modern day Navarra, Castile and Leon allowed a new route called
the French Way to be designated through this land and further routes became
recognised over the centuries such that nine
different itineraries are now listed.
The French and Northern Ways are the most popular if you're planning on a 4
to 5 week walk on foot beginning in France. Below are summaries of the main recognised routes to
Santiago on the Route of St James.
French Way
This is the best route to select if you're planning an itinerary simply
because the whole infrastructure of the route is set up for pilgrims
including a fine selection of accommodation along the way. The route originates
in France then crosses the Pyrenees at Roncesvalles before covering some 774 kilometres in Spain.
The journey passes through the provinces of
Navarra, La Rioja, Burgos, Palencia, Leon, Lugo and A Coruña. At an average of
20-25 kilometres
daily, it usually takes about 30 days to reach Santiago.
The route is well signposted with yellow arrows along its route so it's
difficult to lose your way.
Itinerary:
Roncesvalles – Pamplona – Puente La Reina – Estella –
Logroño – Nájera – Santo Domingo de la Calzada – Burgos – CastroJeriz - Carrión
de los Condes – Frómista – Sahagún – León – Astorga – Ponferrada and then they
enter Galicia via O Cebreiro – Samos – Sarria – Portomarín – Palas de Reis –
Melide – Arzúa – Santiago de Compostela.
Northern Way
Almost immediately after the discovery of St. James’ tomb in the 9th century,
pilgrims began following the Asturian-Galician ways in order to reach Santiago,
since the Castilian plateau –which would be subsequently crossed by the French
Way- was
still occupied by the Moors. This route enabled the pilgrims, who had come
overland from France or disembarked in Basque, Cantabrian or Galician ports, to
combine the traditional visit to the Saviour in the Cathedral of Oviedo or
continue along the Asturian coast as far as the Ria del Eo.
Itinerary:
Hendaya – Donosti – Zarautz – Geurnika – Bilbao – Laredo
– Santander – Santillana de Mar – Comillas – Llanes – Ribadesella; there are two
branches from here on: inland, via Oviedo (where it joins the Original Way), or
coastal, via Avilés and Luarca, entering Galicia via Ribadeo – Mondoñedo –
Vilalba – Lugo – Sobrado – Santiago.
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