Camino de Santiago: the Why, How and Who of Walking

Aug 4
4 min read

People walk the Camino de Santiago for reasons that range from deeply spiritual to purely personal, whether that's religious pilgrimage, a physical challenge, a life transition, or simply the pull of walking across Spain on foot. The "how" comes down to choosing a route, building up physical readiness, and deciding between a self-guided trip or a supported camino de santiago tour. And the "who" is broader than most people expect: retirees, solo travelers, couples, groups of friends, and first-time long-distance walkers all show up on the trail every year. There's no single profile that fits the Camino, which is part of what makes it such an enduring journey.

At Bellarome Travel Worldwide, we've helped travelers plan Camino routes that match their fitness level, timeline, and reasons for walking, since no two pilgrims want the same experience. Below, we'll walk through what actually drives people to do this, how to prepare properly, and who tends to get the most out of it.

The Why: What Draws People to the Camino

The Camino de Santiago has been walked for over a thousand years, originally as a Christian pilgrimage to the shrine of the Apostle James in Santiago de Compostela. That religious foundation still matters to many walkers today, but the reasons have expanded well beyond faith alone.

Common motivations we hear from travelers include:

Spiritual reflection, whether tied to a specific faith or a more personal search for meaning
Marking a transition, like retirement, recovery, a career change, or the end of a difficult chapter
Physical challenge, since walking 100 to 500 miles over several weeks is a genuine test of endurance
Simplicity and disconnection, stepping away from constant screens and schedules for a slower pace of life
Community, since the Camino has a way of putting strangers on the same path and turning them into walking companions

What makes the Camino different from most travel experiences is that the "why" often shifts during the walk itself. Many pilgrims start with one reason and finish with a completely different understanding of why they came.

The How: Choosing a Route and Preparing Properly

There isn't just one Camino. Several historic routes lead to Santiago de Compostela, each with its own character.

Camino Francés is the most popular and well-supported route, running roughly 500 miles from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France
Camino Portugués starts in Portugal and offers a shorter, coastal-influenced alternative
Camino del Norte hugs Spain's northern coast and tends to be quieter, with more dramatic scenery
Camino Primitivo is considered the most physically demanding, running through mountainous terrain

Preparation matters more than people expect. Walking 12 to 18 miles a day for multiple weeks requires real physical readiness. We generally recommend:

Breaking in hiking boots for at least four to six weeks before departure
Building up daily walking distance gradually in the months leading up to the trip
Packing light, since most pilgrims carry everything on their backs unless luggage transfer is arranged
Deciding early whether to walk the full route or a shorter section, since even partial Caminos, like the last 100 kilometers required for the official pilgrim certificate, offer a full experience

This is where a structured camino de santiago package makes a real difference. Rather than piecing together albergues, luggage transfers, and route logistics on your own, a well-planned package handles the details so you can focus on the walk itself.

The Who: Is the Camino Right for You?

The range of people who walk the Camino each year is wider than most first-timers assume. We've worked with:

First-time long-distance walkers looking for a structured, achievable challenge
Retirees using the walk as a meaningful way to mark a new stage of life
Solo travelers drawn to the Camino's built-in sense of community, even when walking alone
Groups of friends or family who want a shared physical and reflective experience
Travelers recovering from a major life event, using the walk as a form of reset

Age and fitness level matter less than mindset. We've supported walkers in their 70s completing full routes and younger travelers who struggled without proper preparation. The Camino rewards consistency and pacing far more than raw athletic ability.

Choosing Between Self-Guided and Supported Camino Tours

Some travelers prefer the independence of planning their own route, booking accommodations night by night, and figuring things out as they walk. Others want the structure of a guided camino de santiago tour, with pre-booked lodging, luggage transfers, and a clear daily plan.

There's no wrong answer here, but it does depend on what kind of experience you're looking for. A supported package tends to work better for:

First-time pilgrims unfamiliar with the route logistics
Travelers with limited time who need a set itinerary
Groups who want consistency across the whole trip
Anyone who wants to focus entirely on the walking, not the planning

Why Plan Your Camino with Bellarome Travel Worldwide

The Camino de Santiago isn't a trip you want to figure out last minute. Route selection, daily distances, lodging along the way, and luggage logistics all need to work together, and getting any of that wrong can turn a meaningful walk into an exhausting one.

At Bellarome Travel Worldwide, we build camino de santiago tours around the traveler, not a fixed template. Whether you're walking for reflection, challenge, or simply the experience itself, our team handles the route planning, accommodations, and daily logistics so the walk stays the focus.

Ready to Start Your Camino?

Whatever brought you to this article, whether it's the why, the how, or figuring out if this walk is right for you, the next step is putting a real plan together. Visit Bellarome Travel Worldwide today to explore our Camino de Santiago packages and start building an itinerary suited to your pace, timeline, and reasons for walking.