How to find an untraveled route to Santiago de Compostela

A few of the routes to Santiago

First, decide you’re going to go.

The untraveled route is the route you haven’t taken yet. Or maybe it’s your old route with new eyes.

Go on foot. Bike. Horse. Rollerblade, skateboard, pogo stick.

Start climbing from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or descending from Roncesvalles — it really doesn’t matter. Avoid the debate and start in Pamplona. Start in Burgos or Vézelay, León or Le Puy. Start from Taizé with a chant in your head.

Go from Granada and ascend the Mozárabe, or north from Sevilla on the Vía de la Plata — or start where they merge at Mérida.

Start in Lisbon or Lubin, Lagos or Lund. Throw a dart and choose randomly. Start in Sarria and walk the last 100km. Start in Lavacolla, only 10k away.

After the war, walk to Kanyakumari, then turn and walk back to the far tip of Spain. That’s what Diego did.

Start in California, walk to the Atlantic, fly to Portugal, pass through Santiago and continue on to wherever.

Go well-prepared in the winter and hope for the best. Or walk into Santiago with the throngs on St. James’ Day, Sunday, July 25.

Try ten miles max per day for at least a day.

Go when you’re 60. Or 72. Or now.

Walk out your front door and keep on walking.

Just go.

Posted by Brett Stuckel | Comments (5)  | February 3, 2010
Category: Adventure Travel, Backpacking, Simplicity, Vagabonding Advice


5 Responses to “How to find an untraveled route to Santiago de Compostela”

  1. Caitlin F. Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    I went on the Camino Ingles which starts in the Northwest corner of Spain (Ferrol) and is about 125 kilometers to Santiago. Though the markings for the Camino were confusing, I really enjoyed this walk- several days were along the gorgeous coastline. It was definitely a road less traveled, I think we saw two other pilgrims the whole time.

  2. Joel Carillet Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    Brett, your posts about this path have been entirely enticing; it’s now firmly on my list of places to visit. Thanks.

  3. Shalabh Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Brett, Santiago de Compostella has been on my list of places to visit since I read Coelho’s ‘The Pilgrimage’. Each of your posts on the topic is making me more and more impatient to do this, to do this asap. Thanks for the inspiration.

  4. Catherine Says:
    February 4th, 2010 at 5:34 am

    Thanks for the post. Santiago de Compostela has long been a route I would like to walk some day. I love the suggestions! Maybe I will start in California… 🙂