The Camino de Santiago

22. Camino Portugués

It began as a more commercial route following the independence of Portuguese territory from Spain in the XII Century. Over time, due to the renown achieved by the Cathedral of Santiago and the remains of the apostle, this route began to be used by believers who wanted to reach Santiago de Compostela and make amends for their sins. Nowadays, it has become one of the most important routes of the Camino, being the second-most travelled by pilgrims after the French route.

The Camino starts in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, continuing along a 620km route divided into 24 stages to the Cathedral, entering Spanish territory in the Galician town of Tui, one of the most sought-after starting points among those pilgrims who are doing the Camino for the first time or who don’t have enough time to complete the whole route.

This route stands out due to the combination of cultures it features, as it crosses the two linked territories of Spain and Portugal. Considered one of the less challenging routes, this one is often chosen by pilgrims wishing to avoid big hills or hard terrain that can be found on other routes, such as the Camino Primitivo.

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33. Camino del Norte

This was the main alternative route at the time when the Camino Francés was occupied by Muslim troops and therefore all pilgrims, whether from Spain or the rest of Europe, had to journey along this route, the only one which wasn’t occupied. After the liberation of Spanish territory from the Moors at the beginning of the XII Century, the French route began to gain importance over the Northern route, although it continues to be one of the most important to this day.

It begins in Basque territory, a community in the north of Spain, specifically in the town of Irún. It is the longest route (not including connections) given that it adds up to 820km divided into 32 stages, which travels along all northern Spanish territory, which is why it is sometimes also called the Camino de la Costa.

Its landscapes are without a doubt some of the most beautifulamong all the Camino routes, connecting the sea views and cliffs of the Cantabrian Sea beaches, with the green areas which charcterise the north of Spain. Although there are some steep climbs along the route, it is undeniably worth choosing this route.

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44. Camino Primitivo

The first route in history. In the year 813, a rumour went around that the tomb of the Apostle St. James had been discovered in what was then known as Gallaecia territory (modern day Galicia). King Alonfso II, the Chaste, went there to see if the rumours were true. He set off from Asturias in the direction of Santiago de Compostela, and the journey he made was considered the first St. James pilgrimage, which still exists nowadays under the name Camino Primitivo.

It starts in the Asturian capital of Oviedo, crossing the autonomous community until it enters Galicia in the province of Lugo, and finishing in Santiago after a journey of 313km and 11 stages.

Its route is one of the most demanding among the Caminos de Santiago due to the fact that it crosses the mountainous region between Asturias and Galicia. However, due to this same fact, this route is considered a route of personal growth and moreover, is much less travelled. So if you wish to do a Camino without large numbers of other pilgrims, this is the route for you.

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55. Camino Inglés

Its name is closely linked to its history, given that due to the importance of the maritime route between the British Isles and Galicia centuries ago, many English sailors completed the pilgrimage to pay their respects before the remains of the Apostle. Such was its fame that there are documented events whereby Crusaders and Templars stopped on Galician Coasts, before traveling on to Jerusalem, in order to do the pilgrimage to Santiago and ask the Apostle for protection in the Holy Land.

The route adds up to 120 km in 6 stages, beginning in the port area of Ferrol. Curiously, this route also offers another starting point, the city of A Coruña. Due to its historic importance and its ties with the Galician capital, the council of Santiago granted it the honour of being included in the Camino, allowing pilgrims to obtain the much sought-after Compostela, despite only consisting of 75km to Santiago (100km is the minimum distance necessary to get the Compostela otherwise).

The greenery and the Galician culture take precedence in this route, which journeys through the depths of the autonomous community of Galicia. If you want to appreciate the magic of this land, this route is the option you should choose for your adventure on the Camino de Santiago.

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66. Camino Portugués Along the Coast

One of the youngest routes within the Camino network. It is considered young as part of the itinerary within the Camino de Santiago. However, history can prove that it is a route as old as the classic Camino Portugués, given that many distinguished people have carried out their pilgrimmage along this route.

This itinerary stretches along the 280 kilometres that separate Porto from Santiago de Compostela, in 9 stages along the coast and 3 along the classic Camino. It is known as the Camino Monacal, or the Monastic Camino due to the large number of monasteries that can be found along the route.

In general, the route is flat and can be crossed all year round, running between cliffs, mountains and estuaries. It starts in the important city of Porto, and goes through towns such as Póvoa de Varzim, Viana do Castelo, Esposende, A Guarda, Baiona and so on.

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77. Vía de la Plata

This started out as one of the most important roadways used by the Ancient Roman Empire to connect Mérida with Astorga. Over time, this roadway came to stretch from the south of Spain all the way to the Galician capital, representing the route which exists nowadays. Its connection with Santiago came about after the Cathedral of Santiago was looted by Muslim troops, when the bells of the temple were taken to Córdoba. After they were recovered, following the fall of Al-Andalus in the Spanish Reconquista, they were returned to their rightful place along this route.

Upon reaching a certain point along this route, you have the option of continuing and joining the Camino Francés, or detouring at Puebla de Sanabria and continuing along the Camino Sanabrés. Depending on which route you choose, the number of kilometres travelled varies, however, it consists of approximately 950km spread out over 27 stages, making it the longest route with connections.

In the summer season, this route suffers high temperatures due to the fact that it originates in the south of Spain, and there are few places to sit in the shade and relax. Despite this, every year it has more and more devotees due to its status as a camino with a grand history and cultural treasures.

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88. Camino de Invierno

During the winter season, the Camino Francés was hindered at certain points due to heavy snows, and so pilgrims needed to look for an alternative route that would expose them to less risks. Their solution was that upon leaving Ponferrada, they would detour to the southwest and avoid climbing to O Cebreiro, among other challenges, and enter Galicia through the region of Valdeorras, in the province of Ourense. Due to its origin in avoiding the harsh winter, the Camino de Invierno was given its name.

From the point of the detour in Ponferrada, this route continues along 260km split into 8 stages until reaching the Cathedral. This route offers an interesting curiousity, unique among the other routes, in that along the journey, you can cross all 4 provinces that make up the community of Galicia; A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra.

Despite what the its name might indicate, this route is not only carried out in the winter months. Due to its landscapes and cultural treasures, this route is journeyed by pilgrims all year round.

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99. Camino a Finisterre

Fisterra, from the Latin finis terrae,can trace its roots to long before the birth of the way to Santiago. Numerous studies indicate that in this area, it was possible to connect the ancient city of Dugium with the renowned Atlantis and the settlement of a Celtic tribe called the “Nerios”. This is how a multitude of settlements and cults began to proliferate in honour of the sun god, who came to life again every day from the depths of the waters of the Atlantic. The Apostle St. James considered these cults to be pagan and ordered their destruction. Faced with the villagers refusal to comply, it is said that a huge flood washed away the village. All of this, together with the miracles which occurred in Muxía, inspired many pilgrims to prolong their adventure a little further upon reaching Santiago.

This is the only route that doesn’t finish in Santiago de Compostela, but rather starts there. There are 5 stages made up of a total of 120km as far as Finisterre. This route is designed so that you can visit Muxía along with Finisterre. If you hadn’t considered it, you should think about it! Both regions posess a certain charm that shouldn’t be missed.

Along this route you will have the opportunity to visit places rooted in true Galician culture; it’s an opportunity to get to know the charm of the Galician community. Moreover, along the way, you can visit the Cascada del Ézaro, the only waterfall in Europe that falls directly into the sea.

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