Almost anyone can walk the Camino de Santiago. You don’t need to be an athlete — you need to be able to walk 15–20 km in a day with a daypack. Your fitness level and your chosen route matter most: beginners and older walkers can start with the gentler last 100 km from Sarria or an Easy Walking routes. With 2–6 months of preparation, the Camino is achievable for most people of average fitness.
So you’ve seen the films, you may have read the books, and your friends are telling you all about the magic of the trail and The Camino de Santiago. You know you want to go, but first, you stop to ask yourself one question; Am I fit enough to walk the Camino? Don’t worry because our Camino Fitness Bible is here to help you!
The Camino is doable for just about anyone; it all depends on your fitness level and the route you are taking. Some Camino routes are suitable for shorter walking days as they have less challenging terrain and are a little easier on the feet.
While it’s no small feat, training for the Camino de Santiago and getting your fitness to a comfortable level in order to tackle the Way of St James is more than possible, and we’re here to help you achieve that goal so that you are ready for your Camino adventure. It’s time to get Camino ready and prepare for the most rewarding and physically challenging adventure of your life. Santiago de Compostela is waiting for you!
How to test your current fitness level
Walking the Camino de Santiago is an aspirational goal for many, and it’s not without its challenges. Unless you regularly walk 20km a day, you are going to need to train for the Camino. It can be daunting trying to physically prepare for a challenge as big as the Camino de Santiago, something that could be the longest walk of your life. If you are physically prepared, you will get more enjoyment out of the whole experience.
The best way to discover your fitness level is to lace up your walking shoes and hit the trail locally. See how far you can walk and what kind of terrain you find the most difficult. This will give you a great starting point. From here, you can make your plan of action for your Camino training.
Make a Plan & Expand Your Knowledge
It’s a good idea to grab a notebook or your favourite online note-taking app and make a rough plan of action for your Camino fitness journey and your goals. This can help focus your mind and your training, and having a set of goals or tasks can be a strong motivator.
Our Camino Fitness ebook is free to download and is packed full of useful workout routines, exercises and a step-by-step workout plan for your next Camino. The book also covers stretching techniques, what to wear and the all-important nutrition. The ebook takes you through a 6-month fitness journey so that you’re ready to set off on your Camino as soon as you reach your Camino starting point.
Am I Fit Enough to Walk The Camino? Get Moving & Find Out
When you book your Camino de Santiago adventure, leave enough time for training. While it may seem daunting, you’d be surprised how much your fitness level can improve with 6 months of training. The best approach, especially at the beginning, is to get out and start walking (or cycling if you plan to cycle the Camino). If you are walking the Camino, you will want to build up to walking 20km a day comfortably. Start small with your Camino training and gradually build up your KM.
Yes, we offer some Easy Walking Camino trips. The distance on these itineraries averages 10 to 15km per day. The terrain is hilly but not challenging, with lovely villages.
It’s also recommended that you practice walking in the shoes you plan to wear on the Camino (don’t use brand-new shoes for your Camino; you need to break them in first!). It’s also worth carrying a backpack on your walks. Ideally, the day pack you plan to bring on the Camino. You can fill this backpack with snacks, water bottles, and other small things. This will give you the best possible preparation with the least surprises. Use our 6-month fitness plan for inspiration (It’s the ultimate Camino fitness bible) and goals for your walking prep. You can use a pedometer or a fitness tracker for additional motivation and tracking your progress, but it’s not essential.
Stretches
Stretching is one of the most important parts of your preparation for the Camino. The muscle may cause pain if you neglect stretching, especially with prolonged strain. We have a video about useful stretches to add to your preparation routine. If you do your stretches, you will be more likely to avoid common injuries and issues associated with walking.
Some common issues when walking the Camino include heel pain, shin splints, knee pain and more. Many of these issues can be caused by flat feet. We asked a fitness specialist to give us the best tips and tricks to manage flat feet while walking the Camino de Santiago. He offers information and some useful tips to help you make the most out of your feet – after all, they are pretty important for walking! So make sure you take some time to learn the proper ways to stretch. Don’t let an injury ruin your Camino experience.
Nutrition
As well as exercise, make sure that your fitness plan includes looking after your nutrition. Food fuels your body; the better you eat, the more nourished your body will be. In turn, you will be able to walk faster and for longer. There are three main food groups you need to ensure you are consuming in order to nourish your body during your training fully.
These are proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats. Our fitness ebook contains some advice about nutrition but does speak to your doctor or health professional if you are planning any drastic changes to your diet. As well as food, make sure to stay hydrated and drink enough water every day. Sleep is instrumental to your physical and mental well-being, and a good night’s sleep will do you the world of good as you prepare for your Camino.
Does Age Matter? Can Older Walkers Do the Camino?
Age is rarely the real barrier — consistency is. Plenty of walkers in their 60s, 70s and beyond complete the Camino every year. If you’re an older walker, give yourself a full six months to prepare, build up gradually and consider shorter daily distances on gentler terrain. For more on this, read Am I too old to walk the Camino?
What if I’m a Complete Beginner?
You don’t need any hiking experience to walk the Camino — many pilgrims set off having never done a multi-day walk before. The key is starting your preparation early and choosing a route that matches your level. For practical advice on getting started, see our guide for the inexperienced walker.
Stay Motivated
One of the most important aspects of any fitness plan is motivation. It can be hard to find the motivation, to begin with, and it can also be difficult to continue when things get tough. If you’re struggling to find motivation, it might help if you visualize your goals for this fitness journey: walking the Camino de Santiago and having a wonderful experience. We have a tip for finding Camino motivation before and during your experience, which might help. You might also find some motivation from our favourite Camino walking quotes!
Ready to Train? Follow Our 6-Month Plan
Once you know you’re ready to start, the next step is a structured routine. Follow our free 6-month Camino Fitness Plan — a month-by-month walking and training schedule created with a fitness expert, easy to print and follow.
If you would like some more information about the Camino routes or if you need help planning your next Camino adventure, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Ready to Train? Follow Our 6-Month Plan
FAQs
No, you don’t need to be very fit. If you can comfortably walk 15–20 km in a day with a daypack, you can walk most Camino routes. Your fitness level and the route you choose matter more than athletic ability.
Lace up the shoes you plan to use and walk locally. If you can manage 10–15 km without major discomfort, you have a solid base to build from. From there, 2–6 months of training will get you Camino-ready.
Age is rarely the barrier — consistency is. Many walkers in their 60s, 70s and beyond complete the Camino. Older walkers should allow a full 6 months to prepare and consider shorter daily distances. [More on walking the Camino at any age
Yes. Beginners often start with the last 100 km from Sarria or an Easy Walking route (10–15 km/day on gentler terrain) and build fitness in the months before the trip.
Some preparation is still strongly recommended. Even the last 100 km involves consecutive days of walking, so being able to repeat a 15–20 km day comfortably will make the experience far more enjoyable.
The last 100 km from Sarria to Santiago is the most popular choice for first-timers and those with limited training time — it’s enough to earn your Compostela certificate and runs on well-supported, moderate terrain. Browse all options with our Camino routes guide.
No. Most CaminoWays pilgrims use a luggage transfer service that moves your main bag between accommodations, so you walk with just a light daypack. This removes a major physical barrier and makes the daily distances far more manageable.
You don’t strictly need one, but following a plan dramatically improves your experience. Pilgrims who prepare are far less likely to suffer blisters, shin splints and exhaustion in the first few days. A structured plan ensures you build distance gradually and arrive able to walk 20 km comfortably — and repeat it the next morning.
The Camino is challenging but achievable for most people of average fitness. The difficulty depends on the route and daily distance: the popular last 100 km from Sarria averages 20–25 km a day on moderate terrain, while Easy Walking routes keep days to 10–15 km. The real challenge is repeating those distances day after day, which is exactly what training prepares you for.
Yes — and it’s one of the most overlooked tips. Train with the same shoes, socks and daypack you’ll use on the Camino, loaded with a similar 3–5 kg. This breaks in your gear, reveals pressure points and prevents surprise blisters once you start walking.
You can, but it’s strongly discouraged. Pilgrims who set off unprepared are far more likely to suffer blisters, knee pain and exhaustion by day three or four. Even a few weeks of regular walking beforehand makes a big difference.
thank you so much, plan to do Porto to Santiago end of August
Thank you for this article. I can’t wait to download the fitness Bible to get started. I envy AND admire people who can express themselves orally and written! Well done so far.
Thank you very much Jane, glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with your fitness journey!
That’s great Zenobia, wishing you the best of luck with your fitness journey!
Thanks for this breakdown. Is there a best route recommended for beginners?
Yes, we offer some ‘easy walking’ options. The distance averages 10 to 15km per day. The terrain is hilly but not challenging, with lovely villages: https://caminoways.com/camino-easy-walking-collection