Interested in hiking Camino de Santiago in Spain? Researching Camino de Santiago routes: which is the best Camino route, which is the most scenic Camino de Santiago route, which is the shortest Camino route, and which is the longest Camino route?
Looking for the Camino de Santiago route that would suit you the best? If so, let me help you to find the best Camino de Santiago route for you. Check out my overview of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes.
I’ve hiked Camino del Norte, Camino Via de La Plata from Salamanca via Camino Sanabres, and Camino a Finistere.
Before embarking on each of my Camino I did thorough research on various Camino de Santiago routes. If you are planning to hike Camino de Santiago, I hope this wrap-up of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes will help you to decide on which Camino route to take! Here you can read also about the best time to do the Camino de Santiago depending on which Camino route you choose.
After choosing the Camino route, I suggest reading my Camino de Santiago packing list which will help you prepare for your Camino adventure.
Camino de Santiago trails
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO ROUTES
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El Camino routes
Contrary to popular belief, Camino de Santiago is not one route.
Camino de Santiago never was only one route. Pilgrims arrived at Santiago from different directions (different parts of Spain, Portugal, France, and northern Europe …) and walked different Camino de Compostela routes on their way to Santiago.
Thus, Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James) is a network of routes across Europe leading to the tomb of St James Apostle in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in Spain.
Popular Camino Frances might be a synonym for Camino de Santiago in modern times. But, you might enjoy some other Camino de Santiago routes.
So, here’s an overview of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes:
Santiago de Compostela routes
1. Camino del Norte – the most beautiful Camino de Santiago route & most scenic Camino route
- Starting point: Irun in the Basque Country, Spain
- Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain
- Camino del Norte length: 514 mi (828 km)
- Camino del Norte etapas: 36 etapas (stages) in total
- Camino del Norte days: 30-34 days on average
- Camino del Norte total elevation gain: 57303 ft (17.5 km)
- Camino del Norte total elevation loss: 79382 ft (24.2 km)
- Camino del Norte average elevation per km: 324 ft (98.7 m)
- Camino del Norte best time to go: July-August
- Camino del Norte type of pilgrims: beach lovers, foodies, true hikers, solitude seekers
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino del Norte: about 6%
Camino del Norte or the Northern Way of Camino de Santiago goes from Irun via San Sebastian, Bilbao, Santander, and Gijon to Santiago de Compostela.
This Camino de Santiago route was historically taken by pilgrims coming to Santiago de Compostela from Northern Europe.
Camino del Norte is a coastal Santiago de Compostela route. This Camino de Santiago path goes along the coast of northern Spain from the Basque Country via Cantabria, Asturias to inland Galicia. Camino de Santiago del Norte is the Camino de Santiago most scenic route.
Camino del Norte is considered the most beautiful Camino de Santiago route. It is a moderately challenging hiking trail (more difficult than Camino Frances for instance).
Camino del Norte is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to fly to start Camino del Norte?
The nearest airport to Irun is Biarritz-Pays Basque Airport. There are direct daily buses from the airport to Irun.
READ MORE: Camino del Norte
2. Camino Frances – the most famous Camino de Santiago route
- Starting point: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Basque Country, France
- Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain
- Camino Frances length: 777 km
- Camino Frances etapas: 33 stages in total
- Camino Frances days: 30-35 days in total
- Camino Frances min/max elevation: 249 m / 1512 m
- Camino Frances elevation gain/loss: 4849 m /-4089 m
- Camino Frances best time to go: April – June, and September – October
- Camino Frances type of pilgrims: first-time Camino walkers, history buffs, social butterflies
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Frances: 55 %
Camino Frances or the French Way of Camino de Santiago goes from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port via Logrono, Burgos, Leon, Astorga, and Sarria to Santiago de Compostela.
This Camino de Santiago route was historically taken by pilgrims coming to Santiago de Compostela from France.
Camino Frances is a synonym for Camino de Santiago, although it is not the oldest route (the oldest Camino de Santiago route is Camino Primitivo from Oviedo).
Camino Frances is the most famous, most popular, but also the most crowded Camino de Santiago route. It especially gets crowded in Sarria (the last 100 km of the route, a prerequisite for obtaining a Compostela certificate).
Camino Frances has also the best infrastructure (many pilgrims’ hostels, bars, restaurants, shops… along the route) of all of the Camino de Santiago routes. Camino Frances is one of the easiest Camino de Santiago routes to hike. Therefore, this Camino de Santiago de Compostela route is recommended for first-time Camino goers. Camino de Santiago French Way is the best Camino route for beginners.
Camino de Santiago Frances is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Where to fly to start Camino Frances?
Biarritz-Pays Basque Airport is the nearest airport to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Fly to Biarritz-Pays Basque Airport and then take a bus from the airport to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
3. Camino Via de La Plata – the epic Camino de Santiago route
- Starting point: Seville in Andalucia
- Finishing point: Astorga in Leon (in Astorga the route joins Camino Frances)
- Camino Via de La Plata length: 702 km (+ 283 km from Astorga to Santiago via Camino Frances)
- Camino Via de La Plata etapas: 37 stages in total
- Camino Via de La Plata days: 7 weeks on average
- Camino Via de La Plata min/max elevation: 5 m / 1147 m
- Camino Via de La Plata elevation gain/loss: 7857 m / – 6995 m
- Camino Via de La Plata best time to go: April, May, and October
- Camino Via de La Plata type of pilgrims: solitude fans, inner journey seekers, long-distance trails lovers, Camino veterans (pilgrims who already walked one or more Camino routes)
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Via de La Plata: about 3%
Camino Via de La Plata, or the Silver Way, goes from Seville via Merida, Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca, Zamora, and Ourense to Santiago.
Camino Via de La Plata is one of the longest Camino de Santiago routes (along with Camino Mozarabe).
This Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route is one of the most difficult Camino de Santiago routes (along with Camino Primitivo). In spite of being mostly flat, the route is known for long walking stages, no facilities between the stages, strong summer heat, and lots of solitude.
Where to fly to start Camino Via de La Plata?
Seville International Airport (San Pablo Airport).
READ MORE: Via de la Plata
4. Camino Sanabres – a historic end of Camino Via de La Plata and Camino Mozárabe
- Starting point: Granja de Moreruela in Castilla y Leon
- Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia
- Camino Sanabres length: 234 mi (378 km)
- Camino Sanabres etapas: 13 stages in total
- Camino Sanabres days: 2 weeks
- Camino Sanabres min/max elevation: 55 m/1356 m
- Camino Sanabres elevation gain/loss: 7234 m/-7689 m
- Camino Sanabres best time to go: April-June, September-October
- Camino Sanabres type of pilgrims: crowds-avoiding nature lovers
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Sanabres: less than 0.5%
Camino Sanabres, or the Sanabres Way goes from Granja de Morerula via Puebla de Sanabria, Laza, Ourense to Santiago.
Where to fly to start Camino Sanabres?
Salamanca Airport is the nearest airport to Granja den Moreruela. Granja de Moreruela is 1 hour and 20 min by bus from Salamanca.
Flying to Madrid-Barajas Airport is also a good option for reaching Granja de Moreruela. Granja de Morerula is also 30 min by bus from Zamora, and Zamora is only 1 h by train from Madrid.
READ MORE: Camino Sanabres
5. Camino Portuguese Central – a historic Camino de Santiago route
- Starting point: Lisboa in Portugal
- Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela in Spain
- Camino Portuguese Central length: 620 km
- Camino Portuguese etapas: 26 stages in total
- Camino Portugues days: 25 days on average to walk the entire route
- Camino Portuguese min/max elevation: -10 m / 475 m
- Camino Portuguese elevation gain/loss: 12149 m/ -11923m
- Camino Portuguese best time to go: May, June, and September (wet weather starts in mid-October)
- Camino Portuguese type of pilgrims: first-time Camino walkers, social butterflies, foodies
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Portuguese: about 20%
Camino Portugues Central goes from Lisboa to Coimbra, Porto, Tui to Santiago.
It is one of the most important historic Camino de Santiago routes, traditionally traveled by pilgrims coming from Portugal. It is one of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes as well.
Where to fly to start Camino Portuguese Central?
Lisbon International Airport.
6. Camino Portuguese da Costa – one of the most beautiful Camino de Santiago routes
- Starting point: Porto in Portugal
- Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela
- Camino Portuguese da Costa length: 260 km
- Camino Portuguese da Costa etapas: 13 stages in total
- Camino Portugues Coastal days: 2 weeks
- Camino Portuguese min/max elevation: 0m / 256 m
- Camino Portuguese elevation gain/loss: 4283 m / -4089 m
- Camino Portuguese best time to go: May, June, and September (summer is too hot, winter is wet and cold)
- Camino Portuguese type of pilgrims: beach lovers, first-time Camino walkers (less crowded than Camino Frances and less physically challenging than Camino del Norte), foodies (Portuguese food, Porto and Albarino wine), social butterflies
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Portuguese: about 5%
Camino Portuguese da Costa, Camino Portuguese Coastal, or Camino Portugues de la Costa, goes from Porto via Tui to Santiago.
It belongs to the coastal Camino de Santiago routes, along with Camino del Norte.
Camino Portuguese Coastal route from Porto to Santiago de Compostela is the second most popular Camino de Santiago route (after Camino Frances).
Where to fly to start Camino Portuguese da Costa?
Porto International Airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport)
How long is the Camino from Porto to Santiago?
The Camino from Porto to Santiago is 162 mi (260 km).
7. Camino Inglese – the shortest Camino de Santiago route
- Starting point: Ferrol in Galicia
- Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia
- Camino Inglese length: 115 km
- Camino Inglese etapas: 5 etapas from Ferrol (4 etapas from A Coruna)
- Camino Inglese days: 5 days
- Camino Inglese min/max elevation: 0 m / 461 m
- Camino Inglese elevation gain/loss: 2855 m / -2610 m
- Camino Inglese best time to go: March – mid-November
- Camino Inglese type of pilgrims: to experience Galician culture, for people who have available only a short time for the Camino
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Ingles: between 4-6%
Camino Inglese or the English Way goes from Ferrol or A Coruna to Santiago.
It is a historical Camino de Santiago route traveled by pilgrims from northern Europe (most notably, England) who arrived by boat to Ferrol or A Coruna in northern Spain, and who from there continued to Santiago by land.
Camino Ingles must be started in Ferrol (not in A Coruna) to be eligible for a Compostela. A Coruna is only 96 km (less than the prerequisite 100 km from Santiago).
Camino Inglese is the shortest Camino de Santiago route and the easiest Camino de Santiago route.
Where to fly to start Camino Inglese?
A Coruña International Airport. Daily flights from Paris Orly, London Gatwick, Barcelona, Madrid…
8. Camino Primitivo – the original and the oldest Camino de Santiago route
- Starting point: Oviedo in Asturias, Spain
- Finishing point: Santiago in Galicia, Spain
- Camino Primitivo length: 310 km
- Camino Primitivo etapas: 13 etapas in total
- Camino Primitivo days: 2 weeks
- Camino Primitivo min/max elevation: 40 m / 1216 m
- Camino Primitivo elevation gain/loss: 10092 m / – 10076 m
- Camino Primitivo best time to go: June – September (to avoid the rain)
- Camino Primitivo type of pilgrims: true hikers, nature lovers, history buffs
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Primitivo: about 5 %
Camino Primitivo or the Primitive Way (also known as the Original Way) goes from Oviedo via Lugo and Melide (where the route joins Camino Frances) to Santiago.
It is the oldest Camino route. This was the first Camino de Santiago route ever walked.
Spanish King Alfonso II of Asturias took this Camino route to Santiago on his pilgrimage journey to Santiago for the first time. He was the first person who made a pilgrimage to Santiago.
Camino Primitivo is one of the most beautiful Camino de Santiago routes (along with Camino del Norte) and one of the most difficult Camino de Santiago routes (along with Camino Via de La Plata) because of the many steep ascents and descents.
Camino Primitivo is a UNESCO World Hertiatge Site.
Where to fly to start Camino Primitivo?
Asturias International Airport.
9. Camino Mozarabe – the longest Camino de Santiago route
- Starting point: Malaga , Almeria or Jaen in Andalusia
- Finishing point: Santiago ( it joins Camino Via de la Plata in Merida)
- Camino Mozarabe length: 1500 km from Almeria
- Camino Mozarabe etapas: 27 etapas until Merida (+28 etapas via Camino Via de La Plata via Ourense)
- Camino Mozarabe days: about 10 weeks
- Camino Mozarabe best time to go: spring and autumn (avoid the extreme heat in summer)
- Camino Mozarabe type of pilgrims: solitude seekers, history buffs (interested in Moorish and Roman history of Spain), foodies (tapas in Granada)
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Mozarabe: a few hundred pilgrims a year
Camino Mozarabe or the Mozarabic Way is also called the Mozarabic Caminos since there are three different starting points (three different starting paths).
The Mozarabic Way can be started in Almeria, Malaga, or Jaen. The paths unite in Cordoba, and from there the Camino Mozarabe route goes to Merida where Camino Mozarabe joins Camino Via de La Plata.
Granada and Cordoba are some of the popular starting points of Camino Mozarabe as well.
Camino Mozarabe is the longest Camino de Santiago route.
Where to fly to start Camino Mozarabe?
Malaga-Costa del Sol International Airport, or Almería International Airport
10. Camino Invierno – the historic Templar knights Camino de Santiago route
- Starting point: Ponferrada
- Finishing point: Santiago de Compostela
- Camino Invierno length: 263 km
- Camino Invierno etapas: 10 stages in total (the last 2 stages are of Via de La Plata Sanabres)
- Camino Invierno days: 10 days in total
- Camino Invierno best time to go: spring, summer
- Camino Invierno type of pilgrims: solitude fans, nature lovers, off-the-beaten-track Camino enthusiasts
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino Invierno: about 0,5 %
Camino Invierno, or the Winter Way, goes from Ponferrada via Lalin (where the Camino Invierno route joins Via de la Plata Sanabres route) to Santiago de Compostela
The Winter Way is a variant of Camino Frances used by medieval pilgrims to bypass snow-covered O Cebreiro in winter. Historically this Camino de Santiago route was related to Templar knights.
Camino Inverno is walkable all year round, but still, spring and summer are the most preferred seasons for lush green landscapes and pleasant temperatures.
Where to fly to start Camino Invierno?
Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport in Santiago de Compostela. And from Santiago take a bus or train to Ponferrada.
11. Camino a Fisterra – the historic end of the Camino de Santiago trail
- Starting point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia
- Finishing point: Fisterra in Galicia
- Camino a Fisterra length: 90.8 km
- Camino a Fisterra etapas: 4 etapas
- Camino Fisterra days: 3-4 days in total
- Camino a Fisterra min/max elevation: 4m /477 m
- Camino a Fisterra elevation gain/loss: 2227 m / -2368 m
- Camino a Fisterra best time to go: April-June, September-October.
- Camino a Fisterra type of pilgrim: who want to see ‘the End of the World’
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino a Fisterra: 1 % of all pilgrims who reach Santiago
Camino a Finisterre is the final leg of Camino de Santiago that starts in Santiago de Compostela.
Finisterre Lighthouse is the historical end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain.
Where to fly to start Camino a Fisterra?
Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport in Santiago de Compostela
12. Camino a Muxia – the alternative end of Camino de Santiago
- Starting point: Santiago de Compostela in Galicia
- Finishing point: Muxia in Galicia
- Camino a Muxia length: 88 km
- Camino a Muxia etapas: 4 etapas in total
- Camino Muxia days: 3-4 days in total
- Camino a Muxia min/max elevation: 5 m /477 m
- Camino a Muxia elevation gain/loss: 2239 m / -2480 m
- Camino a Muxia best time to go: April-June, September-October.
- Camino a Muxia type of pilgrim: who want to see the end place in The Way movie
- Percentage of pilgrims who walk Camino a Muxia: less than 1 % of all pilgrims who reach Santiago
Muxia is an alternative end to Finisterre.
Muxia is the end place in The Way movie.
Some pilgrims prefer Muxia, and some Finisterre as teh place to finish their Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Where to fly to start Camino a Muxia?
Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport in Santiago de Compostela
RELATED READ: Packing list Camino de Santiago
Q&A
What is the route of the Camino de Santiago?
Contrary to common belief, there is no single Camino de Santiago route. Camino de Santiago is a network of routes, created by pilgrims coming to Santiago de Compostela from different parts of the world.
The most popular Camino de Santiago route is Camino Frances (the French Way) which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Basque country in France.
Some of the most popular Camino de Santiago routes are Camino Portugues (the Portugues Way) which starts in Lisbon in Portugal, Camino del Norte (the Northern Way) which starts in Irun in Spanish Basque Country, Camino Inglese (the English Way) which starts in Ferrol in Galicia, Camino Primitivo (the Primitive Way) which starts in Oviedo in Asturias in Spain, and Via de La Plata (the Silver Way) which starts in Seville in Andalusia in Spain.
What is the best route to walk the Camino de Santiago?
The 5-day-long Camino de Santiago Inglese (the English Way) is the shortest and the easiest Camino de Santiago route.
The famous Camino de Santiago Frances (the French Way) is the most popular Camino de Santiago route and one of the less demanding Camino de Santiago routes. It is recommended for first-time Camino goers.
Popular Camino de Santiago Portugues (the Portuguese Way) from Lisbon is one of not so difficult Camino de Santiago routes which is also recommended for first-time Camino pilgrims.
Coastal Camino de Santiago del Norte (the Northern Way) which follows the coast of Northern Spain is the most beautiful Camino de Santiago route and one of the most difficult Camino routes. It is recommended for nature lovers and foodies.
Hilly Camino de Santiago Primitivo (the Primitive Way) is recommended for nature lovers and true hikers.
Challenging Camino Via de La Plata (the Silver Way) is recommended for solitude seekers and history buffs.
Which Camino route is the most beautiful?
The most beautiful Camino route is arguably Camino del Norte. It is a coastal Camino route that follows the coast of northern Spain. Camino del Norte goes from the Basque Country, across Cantabria and Asturias to Galicia. Camino de Santiago del Norte is the most scenic route that goes across long sandy beaches, breathtaking sea cliffs, pristine green hills, vast vineyards, charming fishing villages, pretty tourist seaside towns, picturesque medieval towns, and gorgeous cities (like San Sebastian, and Bilbao).
Which Camino route is the easiest?
The Camino Inglese is the Camino de Santiago easiest route. It takes only 5 days to hike Camino Inglese. Camino Ingelse goes only across Galicia. It starts in the city of Ferrol on the northern coast of Galicia.
Giedre Ieva
Friday 17th of March 2023
what a great help in consideration process... I wonder if I can expect a bit more ideas as I am going for first time and really looking for deep separation. Is it safe to do de Plata with very basic Spanish language? I prefer going in April as I know weather is ok at that time here and I am quite fit person, having this break for my solitude after decades .... I would like to sleep outside. But then - telephone charging, snacks or meals on the way - are there places to stop buy for this in de Plata? I would be so grateful for this essential support in my decision.
to add... I lost my dearest Friend true hiker in Mounts of California exactly year ago, April 18. And wish to mention His Memorium in Mountains .. de Norte would suit most I feel, because of its Aura, but it means I have to wait till June.. The conditions in April there are not moderate, right? So I choose between those two. One is in one time, another in another. Giedre, Lithuania
Giedre Ieva
Thursday 23rd of March 2023
@Milijana, dear, thank You for this heartful response! I feel what You say. I see it is time for me. And wish to choose right. Is it manageable to go del Plata for the first time? That would be my main question. I wonder where is main difficulty of this route? Appreciation and I am looking forward to open my winds wide and high <3 Giedre
Milijana
Friday 17th of March 2023
inHi!
Thanks for reading my post.
April is a great month to start walking Camino Via de la Plata.
Last year I walked Via de la Plata from Salamanca to Santiago from the end of May until the end of June. On the route I met pilgrims who started walking Via de la Plata is Seville in April. If you decide to walk Via de la Plata in Seville , you will need to walk about 2 months from Seville to Santiago.
In Seville go to Seville Cathedral to get your pilgrim’s passport (credentials).
You can read more about Via de La Plata here https://www.worldtravelconnector.com/la-via-de-la-plata-camino/
Regarding charging your phone, snacks, meals ... you will go through villages and towns on your route. You can always buy some snacks and drinks in bars and stores in the villages on the route. Take a power bank with you to charge your phone. But you can charge your phone in coffee bars in villages on your route when you make breaks for breakfast or lunch.
So sorry to read about losing your dear friend. May he rest in peace.
Camino del Norte follows the northern coast of Spain, which is a rainy part of the country. Summer is the season when northern Spain gets the least of rain. So, indeed , you would need to wait until June to get a favorable weather for walking Camino del Norte. Sine you said, your friend was a true hiker, I believe he would have enjoyed Camino Primitivo which goes through hills of Asturias and Galicia. It takes only 12 days to walk Camino Primitivo from Oviedo in Asturias to Santiago in Galicia. Some people walk Camino del Norte from Irun to Oviedo and then switch in Oviedo to Camino Primitivo on the way to Santiago. However, you would need to wait until June to get a favorable weather for walking Camino del Norte and Camino Primitivo.
Camino routes might seem complicated when you read about them. But trust me, just start waking and you will find your way to Santiago. There’s an expression that says ‘ Camino provides’ . Camino provides everything that a pilgrim might need on their way. So, don’t worry, start walking your Camino and the Camino will provide everything you need!
Buon Camino!
Milijana
abhi
Monday 8th of August 2022
Hey!! thanks for the insights
would it be possible for you to share a map showing your interim stops or preferred route. Google map allows that
will be helpful ...seeing the visual replica of the text?