The difficulty of the first day on the Camino de Santiago depends entirely on your starting point. The hardest first day is the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — 25km over the Pyrenees with 1,400m of ascent. The easiest is the Camino Portugués from Lisbon or Porto, which begins on flat urban terrain. For most beginners starting from Sarria or Vigo, the first day is manageable — challenging but deeply rewarding.
This guide breaks down the first day by route so you know exactly what to expect before you set off. For general route difficulty, see our level of difficulty guide. For fitness preparation, visit our Camino fitness hub.
First Day Difficulty by Route
Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — Hardest First Day
The most famous and most demanding opening stage on the entire Camino network. From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles — 25km with 1,400m of ascent and a long, steep descent. Stunning scenery but genuinely tough, particularly in bad weather. If you are not well prepared, the split option is available — stay two nights in Saint-Jean and take a transfer to Orisson, covering the stage in two shorter days. Read our tips for inexperienced walkers before attempting this stage without preparation.
Camino Francés from Sarria — Moderate First Day
The most popular beginner starting point. The first day from Sarria to Portomarín covers approximately 22km on rolling Galician terrain — harder than it looks on paper, with a significant descent into Portomarín at the end. Manageable for most walkers of average fitness but tiring if you have not trained. The good news: day two is easier, and your body adapts quickly.
Camino Portugués Coastal from Vigo — Easiest First Day
The flattest opening day of any main Camino route. From Vigo the trail follows the coast and estuary with minimal elevation — approximately 18km of easy walking. Ideal for first-time pilgrims or older walkers. See our Camino Portugués guide for full route details.
Camino Inglés from Ferrol — Easy First Day
A gentle opening stage of approximately 15km through mixed coastal and countryside terrain. One of the easiest first days on any qualifying route. Popular with British and Irish first-time pilgrims. See our Camino Inglés guide for more.
Camino del Norte — Challenging First Day
From Irún the trail immediately climbs into the Basque hills. The first day is approximately 25km with significant elevation — beautiful but demanding. Not recommended as a first Camino for inexperienced walkers.
Camino Primitivo — Very Challenging First Day
The most physically demanding opening of any Camino route. From Oviedo the trail climbs immediately into mountain terrain. For experienced walkers only. See our Camino Primitivo guide for full details.
Why the First Day Feels Hard — Even on Easy Routes
Even on the flatter routes, the first day surprises many pilgrims. Not because of the distance — but because your body is not yet adapted to consecutive days of walking. Muscles you rarely use get activated. Feet that have never walked 18km in a row start to protest by the afternoon.
This is entirely normal and passes quickly. By day three, most pilgrims find a rhythm. The key is not to panic on day one and not to walk faster than feels comfortable just because others around you are moving quickly.
What makes the first day harder than it needs to be:
Setting off too late — the midday sun on an exposed trail is significantly harder than the cool morning air. Packing too much — every extra kilogram compounds over 20km. Our Camino packing list keeps you light. New shoes — never wear new footwear on the Camino. Break them in thoroughly beforehand. See our foot care guide and blister prevention tips. Not eating enough — your body burns significantly more calories on a long walk than it expects. Pack energy snacks and eat regularly. Walking too fast — the Camino is not a race. Find your pace on day one and stick to it.
Physical Preparation for the First Day
The single biggest factor in how hard your first day feels is how well you have prepared in the weeks before. Our 6-month training plan is the most comprehensive programme available, but even 4–6 weeks of regular walking makes a significant difference. Download our free Camino fitness ebook for workout routines and a step-by-step preparation plan.
For the specific exercises that help most, watch our 5 useful stretches for walkers video and read our guide on how to train for the Camino.
The Emotional Side of Day One
The first day is not just physically challenging — it is emotionally charged. Excitement, nerves, anticipation and the sudden reality of what you have taken on all arrive at once. Many pilgrims describe a moment somewhere on day one — usually when legs are tired and the end feels far away — where they wonder what they have got themselves into.
That moment passes. And what comes after it — the café stop, the conversation with a stranger, the village at the end of the day, the cold beer — is worth every step.
Read our guide on how to emotionally and mentally prepare for the Camino for more on this.
Weather on the First Day
The season you walk in significantly affects how hard the first day feels. Summer heat on an exposed trail — particularly on the Camino Francés or Camino del Norte — adds considerable physical demand. See our guide on walking the Camino in hot weather for practical advice. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable first-day conditions. For a full breakdown, see our best time to walk the Camino guide and our month-by-month Camino guide.
Luggage Transfers — The Single Best Decision for Day One
The most practical thing you can do to make your first day easier is transfer your luggage. Walking with just a light daypack — water, snacks, a rain jacket — instead of a full backpack transforms the experience. Luggage transfers are included in all CaminoWays packages. Your bag travels ahead to your next accommodation while you walk freely.
Tips for a Strong First Day
- Start early. Leave by 7am to make the most of cool morning temperatures and avoid the midday heat. On the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean, an early start is essential.
- Stay hydrated. Carry a refillable water bottle and drink regularly — before you feel thirsty.
- Eat regularly. Energy snacks every 45–60 minutes keep your blood sugar stable and your legs moving. Nuts, dried fruit, energy bars — pack more than you think you need.
- Set small goals. Rather than thinking about the full distance, break the day into sections. The next village. The next café. The next rest stop. It makes the distance feel manageable.
- Listen to your body. If something hurts, stop and address it immediately — particularly blisters. A blister caught early is a minor inconvenience. Left untreated, it can end your Camino.
- Talk to people. The pilgrim community is one of the greatest assets of the Camino. Other walkers will share tips, encouragement and the kind of perspective that makes hard moments feel smaller.
Plan your Camino with CaminoWays
For personalised advice on which route and starting point suits your fitness level, contact our travel team or use our Camino Planner.
FAQs
It depends entirely on your starting point. The hardest first day is the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — 25km over the Pyrenees with 1,400m of ascent. For beginners, the easiest first days are on the Camino Portugués Coastal from Vigo or the Camino Inglés from Ferrol — flat, well-marked and manageable for walkers of average fitness. The most popular beginner route, the Camino Francés from Sarria, has a moderate first day of approximately 22km.
The opening stage of the full Camino Francés from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles is widely considered the hardest single first day on the network — 25km with 1,400m of ascent. It is stunning but demanding. If you are not well prepared, use the split option and cover it over two days.
On the Camino Francés from Saint-Jean, yes — the Pyrenean crossing is the most demanding stage of the entire route. On other routes, the first day is typically harder than days two and three — not because of terrain but because your body needs time to adapt to consecutive walking. By day three, most pilgrims find their rhythm.
This varies by route and starting point. The Camino Francés from Saint-Jean is 25km on day one. From Sarria, the first day to Portomarín is approximately 22km. The Camino Portugués Coastal from Vigo starts with around 18km. The Camino Inglés from Ferrol begins with approximately 15km.
As early as possible — 6:30–7:00am is ideal. An early start means cooler temperatures, quieter trails and plenty of time to arrive at your accommodation before the heat of the afternoon. On the Pyrenean stage of the Camino Francés, starting early is particularly important due to the length and exposure of the route.
Yes — for most pilgrims, significantly so. The first two or three days are the hardest as your body adapts. By day four, most walkers have found their rhythm, their pace and their stride. The physical challenge becomes more manageable and the experience becomes more enjoyable. This is one of the most consistent things pilgrims report.
