Chapter 1Routes and days
- Which Camino route should you walk first?For most first-timers, the Camino Francés is the best choice. With 5 weeks, walk the full route from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port; with 2–3 weeks, start in León or Porto; with just 1 week, walk the final 100+ km from Sarria, Tui, or Ferrol.
- How many kilometers a day? How to plan your stagesMost people walk 20–25 km a day, taking about 5–7 hours. Walk a little less for the first three or four days and take a rest day every 7–10 days; make sure each stage ends at a town with lodging and factor in the day's elevation gain.
- When is the best time to walk? Weather, crowds, and winter closuresMay, June, September, and October are best—steady weather and fewer crowds than summer. July and August are the hottest and busiest; December to February are the quietest, but days are short and rainy, some albergues close, and the Route Napoléon on day one of the Camino Francés is closed.
Chapter 2Documents and rules
- Your credencial (pilgrim passport): where to get it and how stamps workYour credencial (pilgrim passport) is what gets you into pilgrim albergues and earns your Compostela in Santiago. Pick one up before you leave from a pilgrim association or parish church, or at an albergue or church at your starting point; collect stamps at your lodging and churches along the way, with at least two stamps a day over the last 100 km.
- The Compostela and other certificates: requirements and where to get themTo earn the Compostela certificate, you need to walk at least 100 continuous kilometers on the same route (or cycle 200 km), finish by walking into Santiago, and collect at least two stamps a day over the last 100 km. You can also get a Certificate of Distance, plus local commemorative certificates in towns like Fisterra, Muxía, and Sahagún.
Chapter 3Where to sleep and the daily rhythm
- How do albergues work? Municipal, parish and private, and when to bookAlbergues are shared dormitories for pilgrims, split into municipal, parish or association-run, and private. Municipal ones are cheap, first-come, first-served, and usually for one night only; private ones mostly take bookings and have more amenities. In the off-season you can find a bed on arrival, but in July, August, and after Sarria, it's best to book ahead.
- Luggage transfer: don't want to carry everything every day?Luggage transfer services take your backpack from today's lodging to your next stop, starting at around €6–7 per bag per stage. Here's how Correos, Jacotrans, Caminofácil, Pilbeo, and Tuitrans compare on routes, prices, and weight limits—note that in winter, Correos only runs from Sarria and Tui.
- Packing list: the lighter, the betterGalicia's official tourist board recommends keeping your pack under 10 kg, and many pilgrims aim for 10% of their body weight. Break in your shoes before you go—almost everything else is easy to buy along the way. Here is a basic packing list for April–October.
- Foot care: how to prevent and treat blistersMost blisters come from friction and moisture. Wear well-fitted, broken-in shoes with moisture-wicking socks, and stop to treat any hot spots right away. If you do get a blister, keep it clean, cover it with a dressing, and don't pop it yourself; seek medical help if you see signs of infection.
Chapter 4Walking with CaminoGO
- Offline maps: Finding your way without cell serviceDownload the maps for your route over Wi-Fi before you set out. Once downloaded, you can see your trail, towns, lodging, landmarks, and daily elevation data even in mountain areas with no signal—and walk tracking keeps running as usual.
- Planning your stages and changing plans along the wayPick your route, start, finish, and daily pace, and CaminoGO maps out your overnight towns—then swap stops, add rest days, or choose lodging anytime. Once you're walking, finish today's recording before editing your plan, or pause your trip if you need to head home and resume later.
- Walk tracking and the Stamp BookOnce you start tracking, CaminoGO tallies your daily distance automatically—just tap finish when you reach your lodging, or switch to distance-only mode to save battery. You can also snap photos of the stamps in your paper credencial (pilgrim passport) to keep in the “Stamp Book,” though it’s just a keepsake and can’t be used to claim your Compostela.
Walk it with CaminoGO
Offline maps, a plan that fits your pace, changes on the way, and a daily walk log with passport stamps — all in the app.
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