Places where you can start the Way of St. James
The Camino de Santiago is much more than a physical walking route; it is a spiritual, cultural and personal journey that has attracted pilgrims from all over the world for centuries. Where the Way of Saint James beginsMost pilgrims begin their pilgrimage from different points throughout Europe. In this post we will tell you the origin of this route and the different starting points of the busiest routes.
Originally pilgrims, in the Middle Ages, started the Camino from the doors of their homes. Nowadays, when doing the Camino de Santiago there are many factors to take into account and one of them is the starting point; you have to plan how many days you can dedicate to do the Camino, how many km you can do to get the Compostela on your arrival in Santiago and the physical condition you are in.
According to data from the Pilgrim's Office of Santiago de CompostelaIn a top 3 ranking of places from which most pilgrims start the Camino, we find Saint Jean Pied de Port, Sarria and Oporto.
French Way
Saint Jean Pied de Port
This French town is one of the places from which most pilgrims start their pilgrimage. French Way. This charming medieval village captivates all visitors, especially pilgrims, who walk through its cobbled streets, its houses on the water's edge and its bridge over the river Nive. It allows pilgrims to cross the Pyrenees and start their adventure to Santiago de Compostela, covering some 770km. In this case, if you dare, you will need many days, approximately one month, to cover the 31 stages that make it up. On this French Way from Saint Jean Pied de Port you will pass through representative places such as Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Burgos or León, until you reach your final destination: the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Sarria
In Viajeros Canallas we organise in 5 stages of the French Way from Sarria, one of the most popular places to start the Camino. This town in Lugo is the busiest and has a large network of infrastructure, both hostels, restaurants and all kinds of services. Starting in Sarria, you will complete the last 100km to Santiago de Compostela, thus fulfilling the minimum distance to obtain the Compostela. In this case, if you only have a few days but you would like to live this experience, this is the best option.
Portuguese Way
On the Portuguese Way, Porto has become the starting point of the Camino de Santiago. This route has become increasingly popular and this has contributed to this Portuguese city being the starting point for many pilgrims.
After Oporto, the next best-known place to start the The Portuguese Way is Tuia Galician municipality that, like Sarria on the French Way, allows you to walk 114km to obtain the Compostela and do the Camino in 5 stages.
In Viajeros Canallas we organise in 6 stages of the Camino de Santiago Portuguese from Baiona, which allows you to enjoy the Galician coast and the charming villages of the Camino. In these 124 km from Baiona to Santiago you will cross landscapes of the coast of the Rías Baixas and you can relax on its wonderful beaches, as well as visit cities like Vigo or Pontevedra, with great charm.
Primitive Way
The starting point of this Path is OviedoThe route is the capital of Asturias. It includes 14 stages with a distance of 320 km, being a beautiful route, but with greater difficulty. It is considered one of the hardest of the Caminos de Santiago.
Pilgrims who prefer to walk this Primitive Way in six stages have the option of starting in Lugo, specifically in A Fonsagrada. This choice will take you along one of the oldest and least crowded paths to Santiago de Compostela. The terrain is more difficult, but the scenery is breathtaking.
English Way
This ancient maritime route, with Ferrol as its starting point, was used by pilgrims arriving from northern Europe, mainly British, Scandinavian and Flemish. This city in the province of A Coruña, has one of the most important ports in Galicia, where years ago pilgrims disembarked to start the last km to Santiago. The English Way from Ferrol runs about 113 km to Santiago de Compostela, with stages that pass through the coast, fishing villages, and more inland areas of Galicia.
Winter Road
It is an alternative route to the French Way that in recent years has gained popularity and begins in Ponferrada, the capital of El Bierzo. It offers pilgrims a quieter and less crowded experience, especially during the colder winter months when the number of walkers is reduced. In ten stages, with a distance of 260 km, it crosses the Bierzo, the beautiful landscapes of the Ribeira Sacra and Barco de Valdeorras, until it reaches Santiago de Compostela.
Conclusions
Ultimately, the Camino de Santiago has no single physical starting point; its true beginning is in the motivation of the pilgrim to undertake this journey. Each place on the Camino de Santiago is unique and enriching; from the green landscapes of the French Way to the sea breeze of the English Way. The Camino de Santiago is an experience that leaves its mark on the pilgrims who dare to walk it.
