If you are already tired of a lazy vacation on the beach near the hotel and you want to experience real travel, then it’s time to pack your backpack and go along the famous Spanish hiking route.
I will tell you how to prepare for the trip, what things you can buy on the road, where to spend the night, how to get around and how much it will cost.
Well, let’s start from the beginning:
Way of Santiago (or Jacob’s Way) is the way to the tomb of the Apostle James in the city of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).
In the Middle Ages, Christian pilgrims left their homes and walked along a convenient path.
The path cleaned from sins, gave the right to receive forgiveness from God.
In modern times, travelers do not go for forgiveness.
They want to get acquainted with the history and architecture of Spain, to know themselves better.
Sometimes the purpose of the Path is a test of faith.
Many roads lead to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela – these are now official routes.
They pass through the territories of France, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Holland,and other countries.
Pilgrims choose the Path on their own and, having put on the pilgrim’s symbol – a shell, on their backpacks, they walk from 62 miles to 652 miles.
Any route of Santiago can be completed in 3-4 days if you start to take min 62 miles as your goal.
The maximum travel time is 40-50 days – this is the Silver or Northern routes.
On average, travelers complete routes in 10–20 days.
It all depends on the duration of the vacation and the starting point.
Camino De Santiago Packing List for Women
A comfortable lightweight backpack,lightweight sleeping bag,trekking boots, lightweight trekking trousers,sock, under wear thermal underwear,safety pins instead of clothespins, towels, bath items(shampoo, hair balm, soap, razor, facial washing, makeup removal, hygiene pads, cotton pads, sunblocks,) sunglasses, hat, hair brush,small mirror, medicaments.
It is important for a woman to remain attractive under any circumstances.
Therefore, cosmetics will be mandatory in the list of things for a woman to travel. It is recommended to focus on care products.
For any woman on the road, you need to ensure comfort, health, and minimal make-up.
Here is a whole Packing List For Women
Lightweight sleeping bag
It is needed for comfort and hygiene.
Pilgrim shelters may not provide bedding or blankets.
A waist or body bag
A waist or body bag for valuables such as money, documents, etc., or a micro-backpack that you can take with you to the shower or for a walk (although cases of theft in non-touristy areas of Spain are quite rare, just in case you should take precautions).
Trekking boots
Boots, sneakers or sandals, depending on the season and subjective characteristics, but the main rule is not new, but well-worn and already “accustomed” to the foot.
In new shoes, you need to regularly take long walks, for several hours, in order to identify and eliminate the cause of possible discomfort in advance.
Flip flops or slippers for walking in pilgrims’ shelters
Flip flops or slippers for walking in pilgrims’ shelters (it is customary to take off shoes and sneakers and leave them in a special place) for light walks in the evening (to take a break from shoes) and also for use in the shower for hygiene purposes.
In this regard, slates should be better without fabric elements for quick drying.
Socks
Socks thickened, trekking or sports – an important addition to shoes, will minimize the problems with chafing and blisters, and also dry quickly.
Underwear ( with bras)
Underwear ( with bras) – preference should be given to quick-drying things, because linen is usually washed every day and should have time to dry overnight.
Bathing suit
Some routes go along the sea coast and also on the way there are often natural and artificial reservoirs where you can swim and sunbathe.
T-shirts
It’s better not to wear cotton, but sports, they are less easily soiled and dry quickly.
In summer, it is recommended to add or replace one of the T-shirts with a light long-sleeved T-shirt or shirt, for warmth and protection from sunburn.
Lightweight trekking trousers
Conveniently with side pockets and detachable trousers, non-staining and quick-drying.
Not jeans!
They are heavy, take up a lot of space in the backpack, and dry for a long time.
Thermal underwear
Merino wool is better even in summer, the weather is changeable, and it can be cold in the morning and at night.
Thermal underwear takes up little space and can be additionally dressed both during the day and as pajamas at night, as well as being a dry change of clothes in case of getting wet in the rain.
Fleece
The most convenient is this one with a fully unfastened zipper in front,it is a must in winter, spring and autumn, in summer you can get by with a turtleneck from thermal underwear (if it is made of wool), put on under a light jacket or windbreaker.
The jacket
Take the jacket which is light and windproof in the summer, and warmer the rest of the time, breathable, but with light waterproof properties.
During prolonged rain, it is still recommended to wear a raincoat or poncho over the top.
Raincoat
In winter, early spring and late autumn, a reliable long raincoat is highly recommended – a poncho that covers the entire pilgrim along with a backpack, although, despite the obvious advantages, it is quite heavy (up to a kilogram) and hard to dress without assistance.
In summer, you can get by with a light one, but it is not durable in windy weather, or you need to have a separate rain cover for a backpack with disposable polyethylene.
Cap, brimmed hat, bandana or buff for sun protection in summer (hood or hat in winter).
Sunglasses are a must at any time of the year.
A light towel
No means terry and cotton, but rather thin, microfiber, special tourist or fitness.
Should take up little space and dry quickly.
Soap, or better universal shower shampoo – a small or starter container.
So-called solid shampoos are also popular.
In emergency cases, it is also used for washing clothes.
Comb, toothbrush + paste (started or small tube)
A disposable razor
Disposable wipes – a small package for various unforeseen situations.
A first aid kit is a subjective minimum set of medicines that you are familiar with, including the most necessary emergency medicines: painkillers, for colds, indigestion, for treating small wounds and other sores you are used to.
Elastic bandage – a small compact roll just in case
There are a lot of disposable patches, of various shapes and configurations, if, nevertheless, problems with corns overtake you, and / or special “magic” anti-corns, hydrocolloid “second skin” patches of the Compeed type.
A sunscreen with strong protection is a very important thing so as not to get sunburned out of habit, a small or started bottle.
Needle and thread, may be required for minor, emergency repairs to clothing.
Ear plugs – (Pilgrims in shelters sometimes make some noise during the night and morning), for those who have trouble sleeping because of this.
Safety pins instead of clothespins – a life hack of pilgrims, because it allows you to securely fasten clothes for drying not only on a clothesline, but also on a backpack, in case they did not have time to dry overnight.
Smartphone + charger (if you need to keep in touch with reality) and also for use as a watch, alarm clock, flashlight, maps, guide and camera.
Camera +charger if you lack the capabilities of a smartphone.
PowerBank or spare replacement batteries for gadgets if you are going to use them actively during the day.
Trekking poles or a wooden staff, bought or carved on the spot, take the pressure off when walking on mountain slopes and help psychologically on flat terrain.
Crockery and cutlery – usually the hostels have a fully stocked kitchen, but sometimes the dishes are missing or occupied by other pilgrims, however, my advice is to take only a minimal camping set – a tourist spoon-fork-knife and a plastic container with a lid in most emergency cases, this allows you to cook what something simple or warm in the microwave.
Matches or a lighter – may sometimes be required
Passport with visa
Insurance – preferably in the category “active rest”.
Money,Credit cards – based on an average of about 30 euros per day
The rest, and some of this, can be purchased on the spot, in case of emergency, since the Way of Santiago is still not a wilderness hike, and if you forget some of the necessary little things, they can be bought or borrowed along the way.
What Should I pack for Camino de Santiago?
Pack only what you cannot do without, since you will have to carry all this equipment on yourself.
When compiling a list of things and necessary equipment for the Way of Santiago, you must, first of all, be guided by the principle: take only what you cannot do without, since you will have to carry all this equipment on yourself for quite a long time, and the recommended backpack weight should not exceed 10% of your weight.
What Do You Wear to Walk the Camino?
Clothes are the same as for trekking.
The main thing is a windproof waterproof jacket and good trekking boots.
I would say that the pleasure of the Camino is 70% dependent on the right shoes and 30% on a well-packed backpack.
Where Do You Go to The Bathroom on the Camino de Santiago?
Municipal hostels have bathrooms.
Municipal albergues are budget hostels (shelters) for pilgrims.
The cost is 5–6 € or a voluntary donation in any amount.
On popular routes, there are 2-3 of them in each village.
Alberga has separate showers with hot water.
There are no bath accessories, and you can not buy them at the reception.
Washing machines are not in all shelters, but in those where there are, they are paid.
One washing for 2.5 €.
There are sockets in the rooms, tees are issued upon request.
You can order breakfast for 3–4 € and use the shared computer for 2 € per hour.
Are There Bathrooms on El Camino?
Yes.
All hostels have hot water, but if you take a shower after a group of people, you may find that the hot water has already run out.
Showers and toilets on the floor, separate for men and women.
Around 22:00, the albergue is closed, the lights are turned off everywhere.
The pilgrims go to bed early, as they leave at sunrise.
How Much Money Do You Need a Day on the Camino?
25-30 Eur per day.
This money goes for food and hostels.
There are many small cafes along all routes.
You can have breakfast with a tortilla – an analogue of an omelet for
2 € .
Coffee is for another 1 €.
In cities, there are usually establishments with menú del día – set meals.
Soup or salad, main course, drink and dessert cost about 12 € .
The main course is usually a meat of your choice (beef, chicken, pork), a couple of eggs and a side dish.
How Much Weight Should You Carry on the Camino?
It should not exceed 10% of your weight.
Since you will have to carry all this equipment for quite a long time, and the recommended weight of the backpack should not exceed 10% of your weight.
My Experience
Camino is not an easy walk, but a full-fledged hike with a backpack for a long distance.
When you walk 12 miles a day, your feet start to ache.
The first few days, the back will adapt to the load.
Out of habit, the calves of the legs can hurt.
During the evening and night, the body is restored, in the morning I no longer felt any pain.
If you listen to your body and adequately calculate your strength, you will not get any injuries.
The first time, I overdid it a little, trying to get through the route faster.
By the end of the campaign, my knees ached, I fully recovered only in my hometown.
If I had taken calipers or a good bandage, I would have avoided this.
