7 Reasons Why You Should Walk the Camino de Santiago

An attempt to explain the European hype of walking ‘The Way’.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the ‘Way of St. James’, has been a famous pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. To be precise, it’s actually a whole network of routes all across Europe. The most famous one is the roughly 500 mile long ‘Camino Frances’. Each year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walk this route.

The Camino has been famous among Europeans but at the latest with the movie ‘The Way’ (2010) more and more US Americans are setting out on their own Caminos.

Why Would People Do This to Themselves?

500 miles. For most people, that’s about 15 to 20 miles per day. Maybe 6 to 8 hours of walking. Carrying a backpack with all you have. For weeks. Why would you do that?

I don’t know, really. There’s something about this way that is magical. I really wouldn’t call myself the backpacking type of traveller. But one morning I woke up and thought: ‘I’m gonna walk the Camino.’

I can’t explain how I got this idea. Some people claim the Camino calls us, but that might be a little bit too spiritual. But I can tell you exactly what I loved about it while I was there. And why I would do it again in a heartbeat.

While on my way, I asked my fellow pilgrims why they decided to come and also if they found what they had been looking for. The reasons they named were as diverse as the people themselves. And I can tell you: most of them did not find what they were expecting to find (see reason number 7). However, all — and I mean every single one of them — loved the journey. Here are the top 7 reasons that most of us could agree on:

1. Meeting People You Would Probably Never Talk to in Your Normal Life.

None of us is racist. Of course not. And we are all open minded and curious about our beautiful and diverse fellow human beings. Still, for some reason we tend to prefer talking to people who are similar to us. Psychologically speaking, that’s a lot safer. After all, similar people will be more likely to accept us and agree with us.

Why is that different on the Camino? Well, the cool thing about people on the Camino is that all of them look roughly the same: hiking gear and a huge backpack. Here, the pilgrims make one big group. We’re all in this together.

No one actually cares what you look like in real life. That you left your expensive watch at home or would normally wear a uniform. Here you are simply a fellow pilgrim. Welcome to the team.

So now that you’re part of the team, you meet new team members every day. There’s no need to worry if you belong, how to introduce yourself. That’s all already taken care of. We’re all friends by default. How cool is that?

You can start talking about the good stuff right away: Why are you here, what are your life goals, your big dreams, your biggest fears, .. and suddenly you get so many insights and new perspectives your friends at home couldn’t give you.

2. Your Whole Life in a Backpack: What’s Important Enough You’re Willing to Carry it the Whole Way?

This one doesn’t need a lot of explanation. The most popular route has roughly 500 miles. Depending on how much time you have, you’ll be on your way for a while. I’ve seen people who cut their toothbrush in half just so they could save a few grams. And I’ve seen people taking a detour to the nearest post office to send stuff home.

What’s so cool about that? I find it very cleansing to leave most of my stuff at home. It’s interesting to see how little you actually need. After coming back home I appreciated a few things even more and other things I was ready to sell or give away.

3. You’re Always on the Right Track. Just Follow the Arrows.

Let that sink in for a second:

You’re on the right track.

If you’re anything like me that statement causes an instant feeling of relief. Phew. I’m on the right track.

And to make sure you stay there, the Camino is full of yellow arrows you can follow. No map needed. No cell phone needed. Just pay some attention to the environment.

And what’s so cool about that? You don’t have to worry about organizational stuff. No mental space needed for making sure you don’t get lost. No need for planning a route… which in turn leaves lots of headspace for the good stuff. Whatever that might be for you.

And that feeling of being on the right track, … oh yes. Thanks.

4. Working Towards a Goal. Making Progress Step by Step.

Something that is very much related to being on the right track (mmmh :)) but yet it’s a bit different. I know a lot of people who love setting goals. Big ones. Small ones, .. you get the point. And I also know a lot of people (including me) who never really work on those goals.

Most people who walk the Camino have the same goal: reach the cathedral in Santiago. This is a very simple (not easy) goal. And reaching that doesn’t need an elaborated strategy. It basically comes down to this: walk. And keep walking.

What’s so cool about that? Oh, you can learn a lot from that. Massaging your feet every night, knowing that you’re a few miles closer to your goal. Continue walking even though you don’t feel like it, because you know it’s the single thing you need to do to get closer to your goal.

Realizing that if you just keep going, you will reach your goal. Because you are on the right track. You just need to keep going.

5. Team Up With Your Body: You’re in This Together.

There are studies out there stating that more than 90% of women are not happy with their bodies. I don’t know about you but I can totally relate to that. I used to work against my body a lot more often than with it.

We just talked about the simple strategy of reaching our goal: keep walking. However, as you might imagine, 18 miles per day leave their mark on the average body. I’m talking blisters, sore muscles, overworked tendons, .. stuff like that.

What’s to love about that? You basically don’t have a choice. If you want to reach Santiago, you have to team up with your body. So you will get a lot more mindful about its needs. I actually fell in love with my body on the Camino. I did mobility and stretching exercises every night, gave myself a good foot rub, and took rest days when needed.

I think that’s beautiful.

6. If You Can Do This, You Can Do Other Hard Things in Your Life.

A lot of people I met were in pain. A lot of people didn’t feel like walking anymore. A lot of people were tired. The thought of still having to walk another 350 miles if your feet hurt can be overwhelming.

And yes, most people quit. Statistics say that each year, only about 20% of those who set out on their way actually make it to Santiago. Sure, people not making it all the way can have various reasons. After all, not everyone can just take 30 to 40 days off from their job or their family.

Still, I have seen many people go home simply because it’s hard. Your body hurts, walking can be boring, sleeping in pilgrim’s hostels is not the most elegant way of housing. It can be overwhelming.

You know what else is overwhelming? When, after weeks of walking, you arrive at the Santiago Cathedral and know that you did it. You did it. And this gives you this incredible feeling of: Bring it on, life! I can do anything!

7. The Camino Doesn’t Give You What You Came for. It Gives You What You Need.

This is my most favorite reason. As I mentioned before. I have no idea how I got this idea. I woke up and knew I wanted to walk. So I did. I was in between jobs, ended a long relationship. It simply fit.

When I started walking, I thought I would have a lot of time to think. I hoped once I arrived in Santiago I would have an idea about what I actually want from life. I’m 30 years old now and I cannot say that I know who I am. What my passion is.

Let me tell you this much: I still don’t know what I want from life.

But I learned a lot about myself. So much I cannot even begin to describe it. About friendship. About who I am in a group. About how I feel in extreme situations. Meeting so many fellow pilgrims opened up a whole new world of perspectives for me. Things I didn’t even know existed.

Why You Should Walk the Camino, Too.

In addition to those seven reasons, I could add a hundred more. The fact that you see new things every day. Are outside all day. Get out of your head and feel your body. Get to enjoy the beautiful nature of Spain. Maybe lose some weight because you are walking around 40.000 steps per day.

And if I ask the people I have met, I’m sure they will add another 100 reasons of their own.

And so would you, once you have experienced it. Because whatever it is that you need — you will find it on your way.