Discover the Camino de Santiago Routes
The Camino de Santiago is not just one trail but a vast network of pilgrimage routes crossing Europe, all leading to the shrine of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, northwest Spain.
Each route offers something different: coastal paths, mountain tracks, Roman roads, vineyards, bustling cities, and sleepy villages. Some routes have been walked for over a thousand years; others are quieter, rediscovered paths.
This page gives you a complete overview of the main Camino de Santiago routes, their distances, highlights, and unique character. Each route also has its own dedicated guide where you can dive deeper into itineraries, maps, and planning tips.
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Why Walk the Camino Routes?
For centuries, pilgrims have followed these trails for spiritual reflection, cultural discovery, and adventure. Today, walkers and cyclists travel the Camino for many reasons:
- To escape routine and reconnect with nature.
- To discover Northern Spain’s culture, food, and traditions.
- To meet like-minded travellers from around the world.
Along the way, you’ll share sunrises, conversations, and tapas with fellow pilgrims — moments that make the Camino unforgettable.
Camino Routes
How to Choose Your Camino Route
There’s no single “best” Camino — only the best one for you. Here are some factors to consider:
- Time available – from 5 days (Camino Inglés) to 35+ days (Camino Francés).
- Fitness level – coastal routes are flatter; Primitivo and Francés Pyrenees are more challenging.
- Experience – beginners often walk the last 100 km routes.
- Culture & scenery – cities and vineyards, or remote forests and coasts.
- Season & weather – see our guide: Best time to walk the Camino.
Official Distances of the Camino Routes
Here are the official distances for the main Camino de Santiago routes:
- Camino Francés – 780 km
- Camino Portugués – 240 km (from Porto)
- Camino del Norte – 803 km
- Camino Primitivo – 315 km
- Via de la Plata – 1,000 km
- Chemin du Puy (France) – 727 km
- Camino Inglés – 120 km
- Camino Finisterre – 90–118 km
- Camino de Invierno – 122 km
- Camino Espiritual – 105 km
- Via Francigena (Italy) – 420 km
- Rota Vicentina (South Portugal) – 192 km
Which Camino De Santiago Route Should I Choose?
People choose their Camino de Santiago route based on several factors. The most common factors are ease of access, weather, environment, and traffic volume. The first portion of the Camino Frances can be very mountainous, while most Portuguese Coastal Way is by the sea. The final sections of the Camino Frances and the Camino Portugues are well-travelled. Some pilgrims want to walk the entire Camino from beginning to end, and others prefer to walk it in sections of a week or two.
Camino Frances
The Camino Frances, or French Way, is the most well-known and prosperous road in history. It begins in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees and crosses about 770km (approximately five weeks on foot) to Santiago de Compostela. It is the most recommended Camino de Santiago for pilgrims walking the Camino for the first time or those walking with children. Since the apostle’s tomb was discovered in the 9th century, this path has been active, and the current course was developed in the 11th century. If you have only one week and you want to see Santiago, we recommend walking the last 100km of the Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago.
Camino Portugues
The Camino Portugues, or Portuguese Way, promises a quieter and flatter experience for walkers and cyclists. The route takes you along northern Portugal’s Atlantic coast, past quaint seaside towns and picturesque beaches, before encountering the typical Spanish road all the way to the finish point in Santiago de Compostela.
Camino Finisterre
The Camino Finisterre or Finisterre Way is the only Camino route starting in Santiago and this path takes you to the small fishing ports of Fisterra and Muxía on the dramatic coast of Galicia. This is a perfect Camino if you want to continue your journey and experience the ‘real Galicia’ and spectacular scenery. You will need four to six additional days to Fisterra or Muxía. Finisterre, you will meet the cliffs, and lighthouse with a strong end-of-the-world. Muxia’s impressive church perched on a rocky seashore commemorates the arrival of the Virgin Mary on a stone boat.
Camino del Norte
The Camino del Norte or Northern Way is the third most popular Camino de Santiago Route. It runs along Spain’s North Coast. This is the second-longest path to Santiago de Compostela (800km). This Camino provides terrific stretches of beaches and cliffs that draw more pilgrims each year. It offers a variety of landscapes, country lanes, mountainous trails and coastal paths. The section after Santander is one of the quietest Camino. Top sights: San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, Gijón and Ribadeo.
Via de la Plata
The Via de la Plata is the longest Camino route (1000km). It begins in Seville and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. This Camino during the middle ages was used by pilgrims from the South of Spain and North Africa. It is a quieter choice than the Camino Frances or the Camino Portugues. This path weaves through a beautiful area known for its forests and lakes with many Roman ruins and UNESCO World Heritages. From the picturesque Ourense, renowned for its hot springs, the road gets hillier with pine and oak forests. The final leg leads north through Galician farmland villages and hamlets.
Camino Ingles
The Camino Ingles, or English Way, was one of the main Camino de Santiago Routes for pilgrims from the British Isles and Scandinavians. They sailed to the northern Spanish coast and walked to Santiago de Compostela overland. Nowadays, there are two ways: The Original Camino Ingles starts in Ferrol, which enables you to get your Compostela, and the so-called Celtic Camino, which starts in A Coruna. For the first few days, you walk along the coast with incredible sea views, then follow a path inland, past ancient chapels and churches and green, tree-lined pathways to the city of Santiago.
Camino Primitivo
The first pilgrimage to the Apostle’s tomb in Santiago was made by King Alfonso II of Asturias in the 9th century. A very scenic yet challenging walk, the Camino Primitivo or Original Way, starts in Oviedo and travels about 328km south-westerly towards Santiago. It has fewer amenities along the way and the route has a lot of steep ascents, so we recommend it to those that have some experience and are looking for a quieter Camino Experience. The Route, however, is excellent as it takes you from mountainous Asturias to lush Galicia across beautiful valleys, mountains, and scenic viewpoints. The last 100km of the Camino Primitivo starts in the Roman city of Lugo, which is still surrounded by magnificent 2000- year-old Roman walls and towers. This final section is not particularly difficult, but it is still more remote than its counterparts in Galicia; it meets the Camino Frances, on the second walking day, in Melide and continues for the next 50 km to Santiago.
Handpicked hotels on our Camino de Santiago Routes
With all of our Camino tours, your accommodation is booked in handpicked hotels, your luggage is transferred each day and you will receive all of your walking notes and maps in advance. Read more on Camino hotels and Camino food.
Services That Make Your Camino Easy
With CaminoWays, your journey is stress-free:
- Handpicked hotels for rest and comfort.
- Luggage transfers so you walk light.
- 24/7 customer support.
- Maps and walking notes provided in advance.
👉 See our Guided Tours
👉 Or explore Self-Guided Tours
Luggage Transfers
Travel light on the Camino with our Camino Luggage transfers. Leave your bag at reception by 8 am, and it will be delivered to your next accommodation by 4 pm that same day. Simple! This service is available on all our Camino de Santiago Routes.
You can download our Camino Beginners Guide to learn more about the Camino de Santiago routes, including the history, trails and travel planning. If you are in the planning stages, make sure to check out our Camino Fitness Bible.
FAQs
How many Camino de Santiago routes are there?
There are over a dozen recognized Camino de Santiago routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. The main ones are the Camino Francés, Camino Portugués (Coastal, Central and Variante Espiritual), Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo, Camino Inglés, Via de la Plata, Camino Finisterre, Camino de Invierno, Chemin du Puy (in France), Via Francigena (in Italy), and the Rota Vicentina (in southern Portugal). Each one has its own history, landscape, and pilgrim profile.
Which Camino de Santiago route is the easiest?
The easiest Camino routes are the flatter coastal options and the final 100 km sections. The Camino Portugués Coastal from Vigo to Santiago is widely considered the easiest 100 km option, followed by the Camino Inglés from Ferrol and the Camino Francés from Sarria. These routes have well-marked, gentle terrain, frequent villages, and good infrastructure, making them ideal for first-time pilgrims.
Which Camino route is the most challenging?
The Camino Primitivo is generally considered the most physically demanding, with steep mountain ascents through Asturias and remote sections with fewer services. The Camino del Norte is also challenging due to constant elevation changes along the coast, and the Camino Francés Pyrenees crossing from Saint-Jean to Roncesvalles is a tough first day. These routes are best for pilgrims with hiking experience and good fitness.
Which Camino is best for first-time pilgrims?
First-time pilgrims most commonly choose the last 100 km of the Camino Francés from Sarria, as it offers the most social atmosphere, the best support infrastructure, and the classic Camino experience in just 6–7 days. The Camino Portugués Coastal from Vigo is another excellent first-timer option for those who prefer flatter, quieter terrain along the Atlantic coast.
Which Camino route is the shortest?
The Camino Inglés is the shortest official Camino route at 120 km from Ferrol. The Camino Finisterre and Camino Espiritual are also short at around 105–118 km. For pilgrims wanting just to qualify for the Compostela certificate, the final 100 km of any major route (Sarria on the Francés, Vigo or Tui on the Portugués, Vilalba on the Norte, Lugo on the Primitivo) is the standard choice.
Which Camino route is the quietest?
For pilgrims seeking solitude, the Camino Primitivo, the Via de la Plata, and the Camino de Invierno are the least crowded routes. The middle sections of the Camino del Norte (especially after Santander) and the Chemin du Puy in France are also remarkably quiet. These routes offer a more contemplative experience away from the busier Francés and Portugués.
Are there Camino de Santiago routes outside of Spain?
Yes. The Camino Portugués starts in Portugal (in Lisbon, Porto, or Tui), the Chemin du Puy is one of the four traditional French routes starting in Le Puy-en-Velay, and the Via Francigena is the Italian "Camino" running from Canterbury to Rome (with sections culminating in Rome rather than Santiago, but considered part of the same European pilgrimage tradition). The Rota Vicentina is in southern Portugal.
Which Camino route is best for cycling?
The Camino Francés is the most popular cycling route, with well-paved paths and excellent infrastructure. The Camino Portugués Coastal is also great for cyclists due to its flatter terrain. Cyclists must complete at least 200 km to earn the Compostela certificate, so common cycling starts include Ponferrada (Francés), Porto (Portugués Coastal), and Navia (Norte).
Which Camino route do all pilgrims eventually share?
All routes converge in Santiago de Compostela, but several share their final stages. The Camino Francés and Camino del Norte merge in Arzúa, the Camino Portugués Coastal and Central reunite in Redondela, the Camino Primitivo joins the Francés in Melide, and the Variante Espiritual rejoins the main Camino Portugués near Padrón. This means the final approach to Santiago is often walked in shared company, regardless of which route pilgrims started.
Camino Ways Route Planner
For over 1000 years, pilgrims from all over the world have walked the Camino Way across Europe in their quest for spirituality. Making the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, they encountered various people, cultures and beliefs, leading to friendship and new experiences. This continues today, with the Camino de Santiago being the most well-known and well-loved walk in the world. More than just a walk, the Camino de Santiago is an unforgettable and unique journey for the body, mind, and soul.
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