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WALKING WITH JESUS

What is the Camino de Santiago, how long does it take to walk the pilgrimage route and what’s the best time of year to go?

Camino de Santiago

KNOWN in English as The Way of St James, the Camino de Santiago is a network of routes that serve as a pilgrimage to the shrine of the apostle St James in the Santiago cathedral.

The Santiago de Compostela is in Galicia, a northwestern region of Spain where it is said the remains of the saint still lie.

 Hikers and pilgrims tackle the Camino de Santiago
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Hikers and pilgrims tackle the Camino de SantiagoCredit: Alamy

What is the Camino de Santiago?

During the Middle Ages the Camino was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages, along with the ones to Rome and Jerusalem.

According to legend, the body of St James was taken by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain, where he is buried in what became the city of Santiago de Compostela, the name deriving from the Latin Sancti Iacobi – Saint James.

There is no one precise route, but dozens. Traditionally a pilgrimage started from the person’s home and ended at the site.

But some of the routes are considered the main ones.

 There are a number of main routes to Santiago cathedral
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There are a number of main routes to Santiago cathedralCredit: Getty - Contributor

Since the Middle Ages the pilgrimage has declined in popularity with only a few hundred pilgrims a year registering in the 1980s.

In October 1987, the route was declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe; it was also named one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

Since the 1980s the route has attracted a growing number of modern-day international pilgrims.

 Pilgrims can also enjoy some beautiful scenery along the various routes
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Pilgrims can also enjoy some beautiful scenery along the various routesCredit: Alamy

Nowadays, the figure has increased to over 200,000, according to 2014 figures with people walking, using a bicycle or even on horseback or donkey.

The route does not just attract religious devotees but also people with a wide range of interests in travel, sport or simply the desire to see another country.

Esther Balboa, who has walked the route, told The Sun Online the best time of year was in the summer, despite the heat.

The most popular route is Camino Francés. Historically, most pilgrims came from France with many pilgrims meeting at the abbey in Cluny before setting off.

How long does it take to walk it?

The most common starting point on this route is Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, on the French side of the Pyrenees, with Roncesvalles on the Spanish side also being popular.

The distance from Roncesvalles to Santiago through León is about 800km.

Camino Primitivo, or Original Way, is the oldest route to Santiago de Compostela, first taken in the 9th century and which begins in Oviedo.

 The Camino de Santiago has increased in popularity since the 1980s
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The Camino de Santiago has increased in popularity since the 1980sCredit: Alamy

The second most popular route is Camino Portugués starting at the cathedral in Lisbon (for a total of about 610km) or at the cathedral in Porto in the north of Portugal (for a total of about 227km), crossing into Galicia at Valença.

Camino del Norte, or the Northern Way, is less travelled and starts in the Basque city of San Sebastián. The route follows the coast along the Bay of Biscay until it gets close to Santiago. It also does not hit the same number of historic cities and points of interest as the Camino Frances, but is a lot cooler in the summer and most consistently pretty. Most consider the French border as the natural starting point.

While the routes vary in length, most take around a month to complete, walking between 20-30km a day.

When is the best time to go and where do you stay?

Travellers on the pilgrimage, who hold a "Credencial" (pilgrim’s passport) can stay in accommodation called "albergue" for between 6-10 euros a night per bed and are similar to youth hostels.

Pilgrims are usually limited to one night's accommodation and are expected to leave by eight in the morning to continue their pilgrimage.

The final hostel on the route is Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, which lies across the plaza from the cathedral.

Today it is a luxury 5-star Parador hotel, which still provides free services to a limited number of pilgrims daily.

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