Walking the Camino de Santiago

For centuries pilgrims have been trekking the entwining network of Camino trails to Santiago de Compostela to pay homage to St James, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, who is said to be buried there.

However, walking the Camino is no longer just a religious pilgrimage, but attracts those seeking a challenge through this stunning landscape. So join us, whether you're looking for a religious pilgrimage, a spiritual journey or simply to take on one of the world's greatest long distance treks, on the Camino de Santiago.

Featured Camino Routes

Why trek the Camino de Santiago with KE?

With a 24/7 team at the end of the line, all you have to do on your Camino walk is put one foot in front of the other and relax, taking in the stunning surroundings. You can leave the concern of accommodation (which we pre book) and luggage transfer (which we'll do) to us. 

However, don't take our word for it, here's a quote from a KE Customer:

"What an experience on the Portuguese Camino, so many different nationalities were met along the way, beautiful scenery and surroundings and the arrival at the square in Santiago de Compostela was amazing. Luggage transfer was seamless and the hosts of all varying accommodations were welcoming and extremely helpful." 
Mrs Twining on the Portugese Way

The Camino Routes

While there are dozen of tiny trails, there are in fact 2 main walking Camino routes to Santiago de Compostela: the Portuguese Way and the French Way. Both finish in the same location, however the routes are very different; one taking you along a quieter Atlantic coast and the other through the heart of Spain's rugged countryside.

The French Camino Way

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Known as the French Way, the route is in fact mostly in Spain. Starting at Sain-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the full route is over 780km long, with most people joining in along the way, completing at least 100km of the trail to earn their certificate. The French Way is the most popular route to Camino de Santiago and it brings an incredible sense of camaraderie.

Portuguese Way

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Meandering along the Atlantic coast, between historic fishing villages, the Portuguese Way starts in Lisbon, with most pilgrims joining along the way in places such as Porto and Tui to complete the required 100km. Although pilgrims have been walking this route for centuries, it’s less travelled than the French Way, which makes for a quieter route.

History of the Camino de Santiago

Since the unveiling of St James' Tomb in the 9th century, millions of pilgrims have walked a Camino to visit the tomb at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Today, walking the Camino de Santiago is undertaken by people from around the world, not just for religious motivations but for the challenge of completing a scenic long distance trail and the experience of the journey along the way.

Remember Your Pilgrim Passport

When walking the Camino de Santiago, be sure to stamp your ‘Pilgrim Passport,’ an essential item for anyone traversing the Camino. The passports serve as proof and documentation of your journey and are typically stamped at various locations along the way, such as cafes and churches. These stamps are not only a way to track progress but also necessary to earn the Compostela certificate at the end of the pilgrimage. Plus they make a great memento of your trip!

Why do the Camino with an organisation?

Thousands of people walk the Camino de Santiago every year. Some like to organise their own trip, while others like to book it themselves. So, why should you book your Camino with KE?

The short answer is certainty and comfort. Along the Camino trail there are plenty of places to stay but most of them are hostels with limited availability and no forward booking, operating on a first come, first served basis. This means that people get up at 5am just to make sure they can find accommodation for that night.

In contrast, we have pre-booked your comfortable hotel room so you can truly immerse yourself in the journey without the fret of having to secure available accommodation for that evening.


We will also arrange for your luggage to be transferred between your hotels on both our guided and self-guided journeys. This offers an enormous relief, making your journey much more comfortable and enjoyable - you will be the envy of all pilgrims! 

More Information About the Camino de Santiago

July and August are the the most popular months on the Camino, however this is also the hottest time of year. May, June and September offer the best conditions for hiking the Camino de Santiago, with delightful weather, reduced chances of heavy rainfall and a good number of fellow pilgrims to accompany you – all without the excessive crowds.

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We offer over 360 active adventures in 100 countries worldwide. Best known for our pioneering itineraries and challenging trips with an 'edge', we also offer a range of easier guided and self-guided walking, cycling, family and wildlife journeys throughout the world. Based in Keswick in the Lake District, we are passionate about creating unique travel experiences for our customers.

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