What is the Camino?

The Camino de Santiago (the "Way of St. James") is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Spain that all lead to one place: the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle James are buried. Over 500,000 people walked the Camino last year, and it continues to grow in popularity and international influence.

People have walked these paths for over a thousand years — originally for purely religious reasons , and today for motivations ranging from dealing with a loss, trying to discover themselves, desire for adventure. All these reasons still boil down to a deeply spirtual experience where many pilgrims are conciously searching for meaning and purpose.

Pilgrims from all over the world walk for several days to several weeks. They walk over mountains, across rivers, through forests, on cobblestones, gravel, and highways, into small villages and large cities all to end in Santiago de Compostela. They encounter physical and mental challenges while enjoying deep social comradery and the culture and beauty of Spain.