Camino de Santiago without experience: How to start?

Peregrino en el Camino de Santiago - MarBom/iStock

How to prepare for the Camino de Santiago without having experience

Once the decision to start the Camino de Santiago has been made, the most important thing is to take into account what are the minimum conditions to be able to do it without affecting our health.

Physical preparation is a key point to which we must pay attention along with other factors that will help us make our journey more pleasant and avoid problems that may arise during the route. It is necessary to have certain objects or tools that will give us greater security until we reach Santiago de Compostela.

If we are going to do the Camino de Santiago on foot, it is necessary to have prior physical preparation, since each stage is several kilometers long, normally between 15 and 25 kilometers. It is advisable to start walking three months before starting the Camino de Santiago. If, on the other hand, you do not have previous physical preparation, do not worry, you can start with softer walks and then gradually increase the pace and distance. You can do 3 kilometers a day and then increase to 15.

Pay attention to the weather conditions of the places you will pass along the way. In the northern part of Spain it is very likely that it will rain, wind and cold, so it is advisable to wear a pair of raincoats, warm clothing and comfortable shoes that do not cause foot injuries.

Finally, among the necessary items to carry out the Camino de Santiago, a complete pilgrim's first aid kit is essential in which to add plasters, ampoule products, anti-inflammatories and any other type of antiseptic. Along with it, a sleeping bag for the shelters and all the necessary items for personal hygiene.

Camino de Santiago para principiantes; ¿Por dónde empezar?

Guide to the Camino de Santiago for beginners: The questions you have to ask yourself

Launching the Camino de Santiago adventure and starting to plan it is easier than it seems, you just have to know how to ask the right questions and start answering them one by one. We want to provide you with a quick, basic and simple reference guide with the most important topics when organizing your Jacobean experience for the first time. For this, we have developed a questionnaire below with direct links so you can find the answer to all your questions.

Going to this questionnaire is a first step if you are going to start organizing the Camino de Santiago; in it we will not go into depth in the topics, we will simply tell you where to find all the answers. If on the other hand you have more specific questions, take a look at this list of frequently asked questions about the Camino de Santiago, you will surely find what you are looking for.

How do you want to do it?

First of all you must decide how you want to travel to Santiago, if you travel the Camino on foot or by bike (by far the two most popular ways to cross it) or if you want an alternative way, such as traveling on horseback or along the coast.

In the first two ways of moving, most of the guides you will find on the Camino de Santiago are focused, for the last two you will have to look deeper - since there is less information - although there are more and more companies that are dedicated to taking you on horseback or traveling the coast to Santiago de Compostela on guided trips.

When are you going to do it?

The decision of when to do the Camino de Santiago is fundamental, since the climatology and the conditions of each season affect us more than ever when walking outdoors for many tens of kilometers. The time of year in which we walk the Camino is also directly related to the crowds of pilgrims, something that we should try to avoid if we can, in search of a more authentic Jacobean experience.

Keep in mind that the high season of the Camino (when more pilgrims travel) takes place between June and early September. During this period of time, there are some routes more recommended than others to walk more on our own. The same happens with the weather of the different seasons: there are some routes that help us to better take the high temperatures of summer, while in winter there are others that help us to better carry the constant rainfall and cold.

Which route do you want to go?

You do not have to know if it is the first time you travel, but the Camino de Santiago is a group of many routes (it is not a single route to travel). Many pilgrims, when they refer to the Camino de Santiago, are really talking about the French Way, the busiest route of all, but you do not have to close to that choice.

There are many and very varied Jacobean routes throughout the peninsula, such as the Portuguese Way, the North Way, the Primitive Way or the English Way. We help you choose a route on the Camino de Santiago if you make your debut this year.

How much time will you spend?

How long will it take to do the Camino de Santiago? You have to answer this answer. There are pilgrims who only seek to walk a few kilometers to reach the Cathedral of Santiago as soon as possible, while others reserve more than a month to travel the French Way from the Pyrenees. In the middle is the majority of pilgrims, those who seek to devote between 5 and 15 days for their pilgrimage. This decision is almost always conditioned by our free time, our vacations, but it must also be done taking into account our physical preparation and our experience.

If this is the first time you are doing the Camino de Santiago, do not go for it all. Start by planning a pilgrimage of a week or ten days and evaluate your feelings upon completion. If the experience has met your expectations (or has exceeded them), you can always return next year expanding your trip and dedicating more time.

How much do you want to spend?

This question directly related to the previous one. The more days you spend on the Camino de Santiago, the more you spend, since you will have to pay for food and bed every day, although the budget increase is not exponential, far from it.

 If you are going to spend more a month traveling the Camino, the normal thing is that you adjust your budget, opting for the popular menu of the pilgrim (or even cooking yourself) and sleeping in public hostels economically. Before leaving, you should make an approximate calculation about what the trip will cost you, so as not to take surprises.