Where do I start to get the Camino Pilgrim Certificate? To receive a Compostela pilgrim certificate or the Certificate of Distance issued by the Pilgrims Office in Santiago, pilgrims must walk at least 100 km of any Camino route or cycle at least the last 200 km.
You can start your Camino at any stage along the way, but if you’d like to apply for the certificates, these are the towns where you should be starting your Camino de Santiago to complete the minimum distance required:
Where do I start to get the Camino Pilgrim Certificate?
FRENCH WAY – CAMINO FRANCÉS
Walking: Camino from Sarria. The town is 111 km away from Santiago, so technically, you only need to start your walk from the hamlet of Ferreiros, but Sarria town is much easier to reach; hence its position as the top Camino starting point.
Cycling: Ponferrada.
PORTUGUESE COASTAL WAY
Walking: Camino coastal from Vigo. While you will only need to start from the Church of St James (Igrexa de Santiago) in Vigo to cover the kms required, we recommend starting in Baiona, or even A Guarda or further afield if you have time so you can enjoy the coastal scenery that makes this route special.
Cycling: Póvoa de Varzim, Camino Coastal from Porto. You will need to start at least from Póvoa in order to receive your Camino Certificate but we suggest Porto as a much easier to access starting point for pilgrims and a must-visit city!
VIA DE LA PLATA
Walking: Camino from Ourense.
Cycling: A Gudiña.
ENGLISH WAY – CAMINO INGLÉS
Walking: Camino from Ferrol. Technically you will only need to walk from Neda (a few kilometres outside Ferrol) in order to qualify for your certificate however we recommend you start your trip in Ferrol.
*It is possible to get a Camino Certificate if you start your trip in A Coruña, given that you have walked 25kms in Ireland (and obtained the Irish Camino Certificate issued by the Camino Society in Dublin) or the UK.
Cycling: no. Since the English Way is quite a short route (less than 200km), you won’t qualify for the Compostela certificate if you are cycling however it will be still a very enjoyable experience.
NORTHERN WAY – CAMINO DEL NORTE
Walking: Camino from Vilalba. The hamlet of Baamonde marks the minimum distance required to get a Camino Certificate however we recommend starting in Vilalba, which is a bigger town and much easier to access to start your walk.
Cycling: Camino from Navia. Technically you will need to cycle at least from the village of Tapia de Casariego between Navia and Ribadeo. We suggest starting your cycle in Navia.
ORIGINAL WAY – CAMINO PRIMITIVO
Walking: Camino from Lugo.
Cycling: Camino from Grandas de Salime.
WINTER WAY – CAMINO DE INVIERNO
Walking: Camino from Monforte de Lemos.
Cycling: Camino from Ponferrada.
We hope you now know Where to start to get the Camino Pilgrim Certificate.
*Source: Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela. Please note this same rule applies to the Certificate of Distance.
Starting from these points, you will cover the minimum distance required to request the Compostela pilgrim certificate, but you can walk as much or as little as you wish. Talk to our travel specialists for advice and recommendations.
Read here to learn more about Camino Pilgrim Passports & Certificates.
For more information about our Camino routes or to book your trip, contact our travel specialists
