Planning to walk the Camino de Santiago comes down to finding your ideal starting point, route, and timeframe. Every walker can find a path that fits their available days – for a 1-week adventure, a 2-week trip, or a full month on the trail.
At U Walk, we match you with the perfect Camino route and starting city for your travel plans, handling everything from beds to bags so you can focus on what matters, the path ahead.
Camino Routes by Duration – Find Your Perfect Start
The beauty of the Camino lies in its flexibility. Camino routes exist for every schedule – from quick, week-long trips to month-long pilgrimages, each offering its own unique mix of landscapes, culture, and challenge. Our Camino specialists will choose the ideal starting town for the days you have.
One Week Highlights
Even a short Camino walk delivers the trail’s magic, local culture, and the thrill of reaching Santiago. For a week-long trip, most pilgrims target the final 100 km, qualifying them for the coveted Compostela certificate. Two standout starting points include:
Sarria (Camino Frances)
From here, you’ll walk roughly 115 km to Santiago through green Galician countryside, past stone farmhouses, Romanesque churches, and vibrant villages.
Daily distances range from 20-25 km, with plenty of café stops and cultural highlights like Portomarín and Melide. First-timers often choose Sarria for its manageable terrain and rich experience.
Tui (Camino Portugues)
Starting at the Portuguese border town of Tui gives you a 119 km walk to Santiago. The path winds through quiet country lanes, ancient stone villages, and fragrant eucalyptus forests.
With gentle slopes and minimal elevation changes, this ranks among the easiest Camino sections. Don’t miss the medieval splendor of Pontevedra or the thermal springs of Caldas de Reis along the way.
These shorter routes pack the essence of the Camino experience into a week, perfect for those with limited vacation time but unlimited curiosity.
Two-Week Walks
With 14 days at your disposal, your options expand dramatically, allowing deeper immersion in the changing landscapes and local cultures. Daily distances typically range from 18-25 km, giving you time to absorb the journey.
Ponferrada or Leon (Camino Frances)
For a two-week walk, we usually place you in Ponferrada (209 km to Santiago). Very fit travellers can start in León (310 km) for a faster tempo. This stretch showcases Bierzo’s vineyards, mountain passes, and historic towns like Astorga and O Cebreiro.
You’ll experience the Camino Frances at its most diverse and social, where cultures blend and friendships form quickly.
Porto or Baiona (Camino Portugues)
Our team can start you in Porto for the full 240 km Portuguese Way, or in Baiona for a gentle 120 km finale.
The Porto section offers a choice between the Central route and the Coastal path, letting you decide between inland charm or ocean views. Expect vibrant towns, fresh seafood markets, and the fascinating blend where Portuguese traditions meet Galician customs.
Two weeks on the Camino allows you to fall into the daily rhythm of walking, connect meaningfully with fellow pilgrims, and sample more regional flavors along your chosen path.
Four-Week Full Routes
For those seeking the complete pilgrimage experience, the classic Camino Frances or full Portuguese route offers a month of walking, reflection, and transformation.
St Jean Pied de Port (Camino Frances)
The quintessential starting point, St Jean, marks the beginning of a 780 km walk across northern Spain.
Your month-long adventure crosses the Pyrenees, meanders through Rioja wine country, and passes countless medieval cities before reaching Santiago. This route delivers the full traditional experience – complete with camaraderie, physical challenge, and personal growth.
Lisbon (Camino Portugues)
The complete Portuguese Way from Lisbon spans approximately 610 km. Your path leads through Portugal’s historic cities, sleepy rural hamlets, and the scenic northern coastline before crossing into Spain.
Ideal for those seeking a gentler route with rich cultural contrasts and fewer crowds than the Frances.
A full month on the Camino transforms a simple walk into a life-changing experience, giving you time to absorb local traditions, build lasting friendships, and savor the satisfaction of completing the entire pilgrimage.
What Each Route Offers Walkers
Each Camino path brings its own distinct personality, terrain, and local character. Your choice shapes not just where you’ll walk, but how you’ll experience Spain and Portugal.
Camino Frances Experience
The Camino Frances experience delivers Spain’s cultural richness, historic villages, and the trail’s famous social atmosphere. You’ll wander through ancient cities like Pamplona and Burgos, tread on Roman roads, and swap stories with pilgrims from across the globe.
Its varied landscapes – from mountains to plains to forests – make it the most popular choice for walkers of all experience levels. Well-marked trails and abundant services make it perfect for newcomers.
Camino Portugues Experience
The Portuguese Way charms with its coastal breezes, rolling countryside, and relaxed pace. Both Central and Coastal variants offer gentle walking and warm local welcomes. You’ll cross medieval bridges, feast on fresh seafood, and slip into the unhurried rhythm of Portuguese and Galician life.
Routes from Tui, Porto, or Lisbon accommodate every schedule. Many consider this the most accessible Camino thanks to its modest elevation changes and well-maintained paths.
Other Notable Routes
Looking for something different? Consider these alternatives:
- Camino Ingles – The shortest official route at roughly 120 km from Ferrol, perfect for a quick 5-6 day adventure. Quieter trails wind through lush Galician landscapes with strong local traditions intact.
- Camino Primitivo – The oldest pilgrimage route, starting in Oviedo, covers 320 km. More challenging terrain brings fewer crowds but rewards walkers with dramatic vistas and peaceful solitude
- Camino del Norte – This coastal path, stretching from San Sebastian, offers stunning sea views and a blend of Basque and Galician cultures. Suited for experienced walkers seeking roads less traveled.
These alternatives appeal to those wanting unique experiences beyond the standard routes.
Matching Your Camino to Your Goals
Your ideal Camino starting point depends on what matters most to you – cultural immersion, natural beauty, physical challenge, or something else entirely.
Cultural Immersion Options
History buffs and foodies will find the Camino Frances richest in cultural experiences. Cities like Leon and Astorga boast vibrant markets and ancient cathedrals. The Portuguese Way offers a fascinating blend of two distinct cultures, with lively towns and regional specialties at every stop.
For maximum cultural depth, begin in major cities and towns like St. Jean Pied De Port, Leon, Porto, or Lisbon, leaving time to explore local museums, festivals, and cuisine beyond the trail itself.
Scenic and Peaceful Stretches
Nature lovers might prefer the Primitivo route for its mountain panoramas, or the Coastal Portuguese Way for Atlantic beaches and fishing villages.
The Sarria-Santiago section of the Frances delivers peaceful forests and rolling farmland, while the English Way provides a short but tranquil walk through Galicia’s countryside. For solitude, consider walking outside peak season or choosing alternative routes like the Northern Way.
U Walk Support Makes Planning Simple
We handle the logistics so you can focus on the experience itself, not the details behind it.
Our team arranges comfortable, locally owned accommodations with breakfast included each morning. Your luggage travels ahead daily, meaning you’ll only carry what you need for that day’s walk.
This freedom lets you fully enjoy each stage without worrying about logistics. We select places to stay based on their warmth, comfort, and convenient location along the trail.
24/7 Backup and Local Knowledge
You’ll have around-the-clock support from our local experts. We provide planning tips, answer questions, and offer advice before and during your trip. Should any issues arise, our ground team stands ready to assist. This safety net reassures solo travelers, groups, and first-timers alike.
How to Book Your Camino with U Walk
Ready to start planning? At U Walk, we help you choose the perfect Camino starting point and handle every detail of your trip.
Use our expertise to tailor your Camino to your available time – for one week, two weeks, or a full month. We’ll suggest starting points, compare route options, and recommend the best duration based on your fitness and interests.
Get Personalised Advice
Reach out to our team for friendly, personalized guidance. We’ll help you select the right starting city, plan reasonable daily distances, and create a route that matches your holiday goals or walking aspirations.
Talk to Our Team for more information.
