Inexperienced Walker Camino Tips
Walking the Camino de Santiago can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life — but if you are not well prepared, it can also be more challenging than it needs to be. Whether you are worrying about your fitness, your pace, or simply not knowing where to start, this guide is here to help.
I walked the French Way in the Pyrenees — from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona — with a group of friends, and I hadn’t trained at all. Some moments were genuinely tough, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Here is everything I wished I had known before I set off. For a broader overview of routes, distances and what to expect, our beginner’s guide to walking the Camino is the perfect starting point — this article focuses on the practical, on-the-ground tips that only experience can teach you. If you are looking to build your fitness before you set off, our Camino fitness hub and 6-month training plan are the perfect place to start.
Here are some tips that I found helpful during my Camino and that you can follow if you are not an experienced walker but still would like to walk the Camino.
Choose the Right Camino for You
There are dozens of Camino routes — coastal, inland, mountainous — and they are all different. Your first Camino should reflect what you enjoy, not what someone else recommends or what happens to be the most popular.
When choosing your route, think about how many kilometres you want to walk each day — this is the most important factor — along with the season, the number of fellow pilgrims, and the scenery you are drawn to. If you are unsure which route suits you best, our guide to which Camino is best for a beginner walks you through the options in detail.
When I found out I was heading to the Pyrenees, I was excited but nervous — it is one of the most stunning sections of the Camino Frances, but also one of the most demanding. That did not stop me, and I am glad it did not. But knowing what to expect made a real difference.
Plan a Manageable Distance
Some stages along the Camino routes are particularly long — over 25km — and can be genuinely challenging if you are not an experienced walker. The good news is that most routes offer a split option, allowing you to divide a longer day into two shorter ones of approximately 10km each.
On the Camino Frances in the Pyrenees, for example, the first day involves around 25km with a significant ascent. You can stay two nights in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and take a transfer to and from the trail, so you cover the stage at your own pace.
Honestly, I would have loved to stop at La Croix d’Orisson and finish the rest the following morning. My legs would have thanked me.
Transfer Your Luggage
This is one tip that makes an enormous difference to how much you enjoy each walking day. Getting your bag transferred from one stage to the next means you only carry the essentials — water, snacks, a rain jacket — in a light daypack. At CaminoWays, luggage transfers are included in all our packages. You simply leave your bag at reception each morning and find it waiting for you at your next accommodation.
Book Your Accommodation in Advance
Having your accommodation confirmed before you travel takes away a significant layer of stress while you are on the road. You will not have to worry about logistics at the end of a long walking day, and you will have your own private room where you can sleep well and recover properly. A good night’s rest genuinely makes the next day easier — particularly in the first few days when your body is adjusting. Browse our Camino accommodation options to find the right fit for your trip.
Leave Early
Try to set off as early as possible each morning. You will have the full day ahead of you and will not feel rushed. During our Camino, we left straight after breakfast — between 7am and 8am in October — which meant some mornings it was still dark when we started walking. The route was quiet, the atmosphere was different, and we caught the sunrise along the way. If you are travelling outside the summer months, I recommend carrying a small torch or headlamp for those early starts.
How To Walk With A Group
As Inexperienced Walkers on the Camino, If you decide to go with a group of friends or family, do not try to follow them and walk at the same speed as them. Take your time to find your path. Look around you and don’t hesitate to stop to admire nature or take some photos. Finding your speed is essential as you will enjoy walking more.
On my Camino journey, especially during the first day in the Pyrenees, I wasn’t prepared at all, and along the way, I established some goals for myself. For example, “Ok, you go up to this turn, and then you stop for a few seconds to take your breath and have some water or snack”. As I also love photography, I took the opportunity to stop and take some photos and videos in order to rest (don’t say it to my fellow companions).
Choose your walking companions wisely. The people around you make a huge difference. My group always waited for me at key spots and shouted encouragement when I needed it most. That support carried me through more than one difficult moment.
Wear the Right Clothes and Shoes
Comfort is everything on the Camino. Do not buy new shoes and wear them for the first time on the trail — break them in over several weeks beforehand. I wore mine to the office every morning for a month. Choose walking shoes that are waterproof, light, and well-fitting. Heavy hiking boots are usually unnecessary. Bring a second pair if you can — I brought my runners and wore them around town each evening, which gave my feet a welcome change.
For clothes, go for comfort and movement: stretch leggings, breathable tops, a long-sleeved layer for mornings, and a rain jacket. Pack comfortable clothes for the evenings too, and a pair of flip-flops or sandals. After a day of walking, giving your feet air and rest is essential. Download our free Camino packing guide for a full kit list.
Leave Early, Inexperienced Camino Walkers!
Try to leave as early as possible; you will have a full day to walk and won’t be rushing. During our Camino, we wanted to arrive in the next town early in order to enjoy the place, but also, as I was a slower walker, we decided to leave early. We left each morning straight after breakfast (between 7 am and 8 am in October), which meant that some mornings, it was still dark when we set off on our walk. It was a different atmosphere; the route was quiet, and we enjoyed the sunrise on our way. I recommend taking a torch with you if you travel outside the summer months.
Rest Days
Walking every day when you are not used to it is genuinely hard. Do not hesitate to add an extra night in one of the main towns to rest your body and explore at leisure. If you are walking a full month-long route, we recommend taking at least one rest day per week. I would love to spend an extra night in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and in Pamplona next time — there is so much to see and you will enjoy it far more when your legs are not exhausted.
Stretch — Morning and Evening
Get into the habit of stretching before you start walking each day and again when you arrive at your accommodation. If you feel any pain or tension while walking, stop and stretch rather than pushing through it. Our guide to staying fit and healthy on the Camino covers the most effective exercises to keep your body moving day after day. If you are still in the preparation stage, our Camino fitness hub and 6-month training plan will help you arrive ready.
By the last day of my Camino, every time I stopped to stretch it felt like I was rebooting — like I was starting the day fresh. It helped that much.
Take Care Of Yourself
When you arrive at your accommodation, give yourself time to recover properly. Take a long hot shower and massage your legs while you are at it — the heat helps muscles relax. Moisturise your face and body, which take a beating from sun and wind. Before bed, apply a pain-relief cream such as tiger balm — it is herbal, effective, and becomes something of a ritual by the end of the first week.
Reward Yourself Along the Way
The first walking day might be the most challenging if you are an inexperienced walker as you will use muscles that you usually don’t. The following days you may feel a little tired but with motivation, you will keep walking. Don’t hesitate to stop and reward yourself with an orange juice, a coffee, a beer or whatever you like when you take a break. You deserve it!
For me the most rewarding time was when we arrived in Roncesvalles after the long walking day through the Pyrenees and I was able just to sit down in the table with my friends and a drink and being able to say “I did it”.
Keep The Motivation for Inexperienced Walkers on the Camino
If you feel that you cannot keep walking, don’t hesitate to stop, take your breath and look around. The most important point is to keep motivated. Don’t hesitate to motivate yourself with and tell yourself often that you can do it. If you trust yourself you will be able to go as far as you want.
My motivation on this trip was the challenge of the route. Keep in mind that everything is possible if you believe in yourself.
Easy Camino Tours with CaminoWays
If you would like extra support for your first Camino, our Easy Camino walking tours are designed with inexperienced walkers in mind. Daily distances range from 8 to 15km on average, with luggage transfers and accommodation included throughout. Popular options include:
- Portuguese Coastal Easy Camino from Baiona — 12 nights, self-guided
- Classic Camino Easy Walking from Sarria — 10 nights, self-guided
- Camino Group Tours — 7 nights walking with a local guide the Camino Frances, Camino Portugues, Via Francigena or camino Ingles.
Speak to one of our Camino specialists who can help you plan the right trip for you.
FAQs
You do not need to be an athlete, but some preparation helps. Our guide to Camino fitness training has a full programme you can follow in the weeks before you travel. Even if you arrive without much training — as I did — you can still complete the Camino with the right mindset and planning.
Some preparation helps, but you do not need to be an athlete. Start walking regularly a few weeks before your trip and gradually increase your distance. Our Camino fitness hub and 6-month training plan have everything you need to arrive feeling ready. Even if you arrive without much training — as I did — you can still complete the Camino with the right mindset and pace.
For most inexperienced walkers, 10 to 15km per day is a comfortable and realistic target. Many of our Easy Camino tours are built around this distance. You can always build up gradually as your confidence grows.
The Camino Portugués and the last 100km of the Camino Frances from Sarria are the most popular starting points. For a full route comparison, see our guide to which Camino is best for a beginner.
Broken-in, waterproof walking shoes are the most important item you will pack. Never wear new shoes on the trail. Bring a second pair for evenings. Download our Camino packing list for the full kit breakdown.
Yes — and it makes an enormous difference. Luggage transfers are available on most routes and are included in all CaminoWays packages. Your bag travels ahead each day while you walk with just a light daypack.
You can take a taxi, arrange a transfer, or simply rest and continue the next day. The Camino is flexible — thousands of inexperienced walkers complete it every year by listening to their bodies and taking it one stage at a time.
Yes, particularly as an inexperienced walker. Knowing your bed is confirmed each night removes a huge amount of stress and lets you focus entirely on the walk. All CaminoWays packages include pre-booked accommodation throughout.
