Q: How long is the Camino de Santiago?
A: It depends…
But before lacing your boots and setting off, let’s see if we can answer this question.
The Distance Dilemma
The Camino de Santiago is actually not one single trail, but rather a network of routes that cross Europe, making their way to Santiago de Compostela. All of these routes converge at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. In some cases, these routes join other routes before reaching Santiago. This is the case, for example, of the Camino del Norte (Northern Way), that joins the French Way in the town of Arzúa.
Along each route, you can start at any given location. There are no starting point rules. In turn, each route varies in distance to Santiago. As you can see, the distance to Santiago depends entirely on how far the pilgrim wants to walk. In many occasions, it may depend on how far the pilgrim can walk!
There is, however, one rule if you want to request the Compostela Certificate at the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela: You must walk the last 100 continuous kilometres to Santiago. Everything beyond that, in the eyes of the Cathedral Chapter, is extra credit!
What does Fresco Tours offer?
Fresco Tours offers different tours with different distances, so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs and limitations. We also offer two modalities: Full-Service Guided Tours and Independent Self-Walk Tours, as we know that pilgrims also vary in their requirements and preferences.
All our tours ending in Santiago de Compostela fulfil the distance requirement to request your Compostela Certificate at the Pilgrim’s Office. This means that all the tours ending in Santiago walk (at least) the last hundred kilometres to the Cathedral.
The classic French Way
This route is called the French Way (or Camino Francés) as it begins in France. We offer two options.
Full-Service Guided Tours on the French Way
You can choose between our A Kinder Camino Tour and our standard Camino de Santiago Tour. Both are 11 days and 10 nights long. However, the A Kinder Camino Tour starts in Sarria, which is 112 kilometres from Santiago. Our standard Camino de Santiago Tour starts in Cebreiro, which is 160 kilometres from Santiago.
Independent Self-Walk Tours on the French Way
You can choose between our A Fresco Start 115 Tour and our A Fresco Start 200 Tour. The first one starts in Sarria, which is 112 kilometres from Santiago, and the second one starts in Ponferrada, which is 200 kilometres from Santiago.
The Portuguese Way
This route is called the Portuguese Way (or Camino Portugués) as it begins in Portugal. We offer two options.
Full-Service Guided Tours on the Portuguese Way
You can choose between our A Kinder Camino Portugués Tour and our standard Camino Portugués Tour. Both are 11 days and 10 nights long. However, the A Kinder Camino Portugués Tour starts in Valença do Minho, which is 129 kilometres from Santiago. Our Camino Portugués Tour starts in Ponte de Lima, which is 168 kilometres from Santiago.
Independent Self-Walk Tours on the Portuguese Way
You can choose between our A Fresco Start Camino Portugués Tour and our A Fresco Start Camino Portugués Coastal Tour. The first one starts in Tui, which is 118 kilometres from Santiago, and the second one starts in Oporto, which is 260 kilometres from Santiago.
Buen Camino!
