{"id":2379,"date":"2026-06-01T10:45:52","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T10:45:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/best-routes-of-the-camino-de-santiago\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T10:17:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T10:17:57","slug":"best-routes-of-the-camino-de-santiago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/best-routes-of-the-camino-de-santiago\/","title":{"rendered":"Best routes of the Camino de Santiago"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to consider before choosing your Camino de Santiago route<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To choose a Camino de Santiago route, you need to consider a few essential points:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Physical and technical fitness<\/strong>: The Camino de Santiago requires endurance to handle consecutive days of effort. The Portuguese Way is flat, but the Primitive Way requires preparation. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mode of pilgrimage<\/strong>: Your means of transport determines the terrain. Cyclists look for smooth tracks, while hikers usually prefer trails. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weather and season<\/strong>: It is recommended to avoid the southern routes in summer if you cannot handle the heat. Meanwhile, if you are looking for cool temperatures, the Cantabrian coast is the best option. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Infrastructure and services<\/strong>: The French Way is the safest option thanks to its network of hostels, signage, and medical services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main routes of the Camino de Santiago<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/461-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/461-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/461-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/461-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/461-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/461.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Camino de Santiago is a network of Roman roads, medieval paths, and forest tracks that end at the Apostle&#8217;s tomb. In ancient times, pilgrims would set off right from their front doors; today, there are official routes marked with the famous scallop shell and yellow arrows. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The French Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>French Way<\/strong> is the foundational route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage; it is the route par excellence, the most international, and the one with the best infrastructure, making it the preferred choice for most pilgrims.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From a cycling perspective, it is a route of contrasts: from demanding climbs (Pyrenees) to endless plains (Castilian Meseta), ending in the green mountains of Galicia.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Starting \/ finishing point<\/strong>: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France) &#8211; Santiago de Compostela.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total distance<\/strong>: Approximately 780 kilometers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Difficulty<\/strong>: Medium. The main challenges are the mountain passes and the crowds in summer. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best thing about this Camino de Santiago route is that it is designed for &#8220;pilgrims.&#8221; You will find accommodation constantly and perfect signage. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Portuguese Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Portuguese Way is a flatter route with a mild climate. In recent years, it has gained popularity thanks to its beauty and the fact that it is more accessible than the northern routes. There are two variants:   <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Central Way (more historic and rural).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Coastal Way (borders the Atlantic, offering beautiful views).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From a cycling perspective, the Coastal variant is one of the best options; this Camino de Santiago route features many kilometers of wooden boardwalks and bike lanes.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ finishing point: Lisbon or Porto &#8211; Santiago de Compostela.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Distancia total: Desde Lisboa: 620 km; desde Oporto: 240 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total distance: From Lisbon: 620 km; from Porto: 240 km.Dificultad: Baja-Media.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Northern Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Northern Way runs along the border from France to Galicia, across the entire Cantabrian coast. This Camino de Santiago route features unbeatable views.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For cyclists, it is a &#8220;leg-breaker&#8221; route: flat stretches do not exist, and you will face constant elevation changes. Furthermore, many sections feature steps or footpaths where you cannot ride a bicycle. On this route, it is recommended to plan your stages along secondary roads.   <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ finishing point: Ir\u00fan (Gipuzkoa) &#8211; Santiago de Compostela.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total distance: Around 820 km.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: High. You will encounter technical terrain with unpredictable weather, even in summer. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Original Way<\/h3>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/460-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/460-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/460-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/460-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/460-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/460.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Original Way is the route followed by Alfonso II &#8220;the Chaste&#8221; in the 9th century, and it is considered the most authentic and challenging Camino de Santiago route. On this path, you will travel through the heart of the Asturian mountains, facing steep slopes and mud. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From a cycling perspective, it is a difficult route; we recommend bringing a bicycle with good brakes and a low gear ratio to climb the Asturian hills without any problems.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ finishing point: Oviedo (Asturias) &#8211; Santiago de Compostela.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total distance: About 320 kilometers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Very high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The English Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The English Way was the route followed by pilgrims arriving by sea from Great Britain and Ireland. It is a short but intense route that crosses the north of the province of A Coru\u00f1a. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A note for pilgrims: if you start from A Coru\u00f1a, the distance is less than the minimum 100 km required to obtain the &#8220;Compostela&#8221;. Therefore, if you want the official certificate, you must start from Ferrol. You will enjoy a very green path with a local flavor and far from the crowds.  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ finishing point: Ferrol or A Coru\u00f1a &#8211; Santiago de Compostela.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total distance: From Ferrol: 120 km; from A Coru\u00f1a: 75 km.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Medium-Low.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Finisterre and Mux\u00eda Way<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This route is the only one that does not end in Santiago, but rather <strong>begins there<\/strong>. It is the perfect epilogue for those who do not want the adventure to end upon reaching the Cathedral. Continuing to the &#8220;End of the World&#8221; to watch the sunset at Cape Finisterre is a tradition that dates back to pagan times and holds a special magnetism for cyclists, who already have the rhythm of the Camino in their legs.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Finisterre and Mux\u00eda Way is the only route that begins in Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrims who do not want their adventure to end in Santiago continue to the &#8220;End of the World&#8221; to watch the sunset at Cape Finisterre. This tradition dates back to pagan times.  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Starting \/ finishing point: Santiago de Compostela &#8211; Finisterre or Mux\u00eda.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total distance: 90 km to Finisterre, which extends to 120 km if you do the full loop through Mux\u00eda.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty: Medium.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What to consider before choosing your Camino de Santiago route To choose a Camino de Santiago route, you need to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2378,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categorizar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2379"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2380,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2379\/revisions\/2380"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}