Looking back at my two Camino walks from 2019 and 2022, I often cringe at the rookie mistakes I made along the way. Back then I had unrealistic and utopian expectations, and I was humbled real fast when faced with the reality of walking the way. I’m sure you are planning your first Camino too and are looking for some practical tips and potential pitfalls. So here are my 10 expectations vs reality moments and tips for walking the Camino de Santiago successfully.
Table of Contents
Daily Distances
Expectation: I usually run 10 km in about 90 minutes, so during a normal walking day of 8 hours it will be easy to clock in around 30–40 km.
Reality: It is true that I can jog 10 km in about 90 minutes on smooth street tarmac, and when properly trained, I can powerwalk at 6 km per hour. During my Camino walks, my best achievement was a sequence of 30–33–30 km over three days, but I desperately needed the scheduled rest day afterwards. The Camino might be mostly flat, but the terrain is often gravel, sand, or uneven cobbled pavement. It is rarely flat and smooth, and even when it is, walking on tarmac soon takes its toll on your ankles. Add in exposure to the weather, which could be anything from blazing sun to rain, plus a backpack, and all these conditions will slow you down and tire you out easily.
My Tip: Don’t underestimate the walk and go gentle on your daily stages. Distances of 30–35 km should be the absolute exception. In general, I advise aiming for 25 km a day at tops. This may be a slower way of hiking the Camino de Santiago, but it allows enough time to walk at a steadier pace and also take breaks along the way. Any stages with distances in the 30–35 km range really feels rushed and can affect your overall mood, energy levels and motivation.
Sufficient Training
Expectation: Training? It’s just a flat walk in the countryside.
Reality: Kind of. Whilst the Spanish countryside is rural and beautiful, it has its challenges. You’ll walk mostly on natural paths and uneven terrain, sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill. You might cross thick sand dunes, overgrown woods, or narrow bridges. Stones, cobbled roads, branches on the forest floor, and potholes will all tire you out quickly. Some stretches are on tarmac, which can also take a toll on your ankles.
My Tip: Make sure to prepare for your hike and train as much as your free time allows it. The Camino requires fitness, and your body needs to get used to moving for 6-8 hours a day over many consecutive days with a backpack. Training helps you to keep your energy level steady and not run out of it by Day 3. Before my second Camino, Porto to Santiago (260 km), I spent 8 weeks training for the hike. Whenever I could, I walked 15–18 km (about three hours) on weekdays, and on weekends I aimed for longer distances.
The Right Footwear
Expectation: If I walk the Camino de Santiago, I totally have to buy proper walking boots.
Reality: You don’t need professional walking boots, but you do need well broken-in footwear. Well-cushioned running shoes with a good grip on their sole will serve you just as fine. If your shoes are a bit battered but very comfortable, use them. Unfortunately, there is still advice out there suggesting you must buy hiking boots, specially engineered socks, and all sorts of fancy hiking extras.
My Tip: Don’t make the same mistake I did by straying from your usual comfortable footwear. For my first Camino on the Frances route I bought Salomon hiking boots for women. These were my first ever hiking boots. Unfortunately, I have a foot deformity and needed shoes with a wider toe box, plus at least a good 300–400 km of breaking them in (I only did about 100km for breaking them in). My Salomon boots hurt from Day 1. By Day 3 my foot was completely stiff and didn’t roll naturally anymore, and by Day 5 I had lost three toenails. I limped into Santiago envious of pilgrims walking by effortlessly, while there was me shuffling along in pain. For my second hike, the best shoes for the Camino de Santiago were my well-worn, seven-year-old ASICS Gel Kayano. Apart from a mild hiker’s rash, I was fine every day and ready to tackle each new stage so I completed the 260km route without any serious injury.
Mobile Signal & Off-Grid Life
Expectation: The Camino is in the wild, rural middle of nowhere with little civilisation and no mobile signal, so I will be unreachable for my entire hike. Perfect to go off grid, disconnect and fully embrace the pampa lifestyle.
Reality: I wish! The Camino is very busy, sometimes worse than Vienna’s St Stephen’s Square or St Pancras at rush hour combined. Especially on the Camino Frances, you’ll meet pilgrims regularly, and the same faces pop up at the next café. The infrastructure is so well established that there are cafés, albergues or some form of civilisation every few kilometres. Mobile signal is consistently good, so home and work can contact you at any time.
My Tip: While it’s tempting to go completely off grid, at times I was glad I wasn’t truly cut off and had a strong mobile signal, e.g. on the Camino Portuguese it could get confusing, as it has several possible routes to Santiago and the signage wasn’t always 100% accurate. So one of the best tips for walking the Camino de Santiago I can give you is to not fully switch off. Mobile navigation is a life saver if you get lost and communication with your accommodation for last minute changes reduces more stress.
Daily Distances & Breaks
Expectation: Given an 8h day and the quick gains in kilometres, I expected to take breaks by the beach or sit in a café, have time to read my book, do some sightseeing, and truly relax from my normal everyday life.
Reality: I touched on this earlier: by underestimating distances and planning overly ambitious stages of 25–30 km a day, I ended up needing the full 8 hours just to walk and make it to my accommodation before dark. I took breaks, but only quick bathroom or meal stops, never enough time for proper solitude or inner work. Walking takes energy and focus, and poor footwear can leave you grumpy and in pain, reluctant to take detours for sightseeing.
My Tip: Everyone is different and may walk faster or be in better physical and mental shape than I am. However, I strongly advise consulting a guide for your chosen Camino route and planning extra time for sightseeing and “me time.” Otherwise, your Camino may feel rushed, leaving little opportunity to rest, reflect, or gain clarity. Plan your day to allow proper time to sit with yourself, process your thoughts, meditate, and reflect.
Camino Experience by Route
Expectation: I will have the same experience again on my future Camino walk(s).
Reality: The Camino experience differs with each route. While the Camino Frances was more social, I found the Camino Portuguese emotionally challenging, mainly walked by couples and friend groups who rarely wanted to interact with me as a solo traveller. The Camino Norte, by contrast, is ideal for introverts, as fewer people walk it.
My Tip: The Camino will have a different character depending on the route you choose, so it’s best to approach it without the expectation that you will have the same experience. If someone wants to adopt you on Day 1, that’s fine; if you haven’t met anyone to connect with by Day 4, that’s fine too. In the end this is your journey and I believe the Camino will give you exactly what you need at that stage in your life. Ultreia!
First Aid Supply
Expectation: When it comes to first aid, I will only bring the absolute necessities to avoid carrying extra weight: five plasters, one perfectly pre-cut for each day.
Reality: You will need far more than one plaster per day, possibly including cushioned plasters, tubes and Vaseline. While the Camino’s infrastructure is well developed and you are never completely cut off from civilisation, pharmacies or well-stocked drug stores are not common in rural Spain.
My Tip: Don’t be as daft as past Carolin. Invest in a proper first aid kit. Being prepared is one of the most important tips for walking the Camino de Santiago. Common issues include pain (ibuprofen, lysin, paracetamol), heat stroke, cuts and blisters (plasters and moleskin), hiker’s rash (Vaseline), pulled ligaments (Voltaren), bruises (Bepanthen), traumatised toes (toe caps) and cramps (magnesium, Buscopan). Do not bring blister plasters from Compeed. They are hard to remove and burst blisters, causing more damage and pain. Smaller injuries and minor pain can often be managed with first aid, but always prioritise your health and listen to your body. If it tells you to stop, stop walking and finish the Camino another time.
Walking Sticks
Expectation: Nordic walking sticks are pretentious and for wannabe hikers.
Reality: Without them, I would not have been able to walk to Santiago de Compostela.
My Tip: The Camino quickly humbled me with my initial judgement and disdain for walking sticks. They are a gift and a vital tool when you embark on the hike. Walking sticks take pressure off your knees and joints, help you maintain a steady walking rhythm, and distribute your energy more evenly. They give extra grip uphill, prevent sliding downhill, and can be used to test uneven or unstable terrain. They also assist with balance when crossing streams or slippery surfaces, and help reduce fatigue on long stages. One of the best tips for walking the Camino de Santiago is to invest in a good pair of sticks. For my second Camino hike, I used the telescopic hiking stick Forclaz by Decathlon. Please note these cannot be transported in carry-on luggage and must go into the hold if you are flying to Spain.
Day 1 Timing
Expectation: On Day 1, I could easily take the 7am bus from Santiago to Lugo, do three hours of sightseeing in Lugo, make the connection to Sarria (my starting point for the last 100 km) and still walk 21 km to Portomarín, all before 8 pm.
Reality: Luckily, I was able to catch my connecting bus in Lugo straight away, so there was no 3h gap for sightseeing. I arrived in Sarria shortly before noon, which was already quite late for a pilgrim. Being my very first day, I got distracted, faffed around, ran out of breath a few times, and struggled with my footwear, all of which added time and drained my energy.
My Tip: Always arrive a few days earlier at your starting point so you can settle in and begin your walk refreshed and in the morning. By noon or early afternoon, most pilgrims will have finished their daily stages, and it is often too hot to walk anyway. A typical Camino Frances day starts as early as 4 am, with rush hour around 6 or 7 am. On the Camino Portuguese it starts much later, around 9 am, which greatly annoyed me. Start early, make the most of the day, get your kilometres in, and aim to reach your accommodation by 4pm. This allows enough time for recovery, a good dinner and some on-site exploring.
Weather Conditions
Expectation: The weather forecast says it will rain for two days, but I’ll be fine because I’ve got my £5 Primark rain trousers and a waterproof jacket.
Reality: The weather in Northern Spain (Galicia) is either scorching hot or it rains buckets. You can set your clock and expect both conditions to affect your hike at some point. My cheap rain trousers were not handy, as the waterproofing only lasted for a while and soon I was soaked, sweaty and felt uncomfortable.
My Tip: Leave the rain trousers at home, but bring a lightweight, quality rain jacket or poncho. Plan to walk your Camino during the warmer spring months, in May or September. If you do get soaked, the rain will be warm rather than cold, and your clothes and shoes will easily dry overnight. This avoids unnecessary frustration, which is important because there are already plenty of challenges with the Camino lifestyle. If you didn’t bring a poncho from home, I can recommend getting one from a souvenir stand along the Camino route. Not only are they cheap at around 5€, but they are also waterproof, lightweight and easy to transport.
******
Lack of preparation, poor planning, and not investing in the right equipment are the most common rookie mistakes. But finally, there is one last expectation versus reality moment that does not feel too far out of touch. Walking the Camino de Santiago is an experience that can change your outlook on life. Introverts are nudged out of their comfort zones, conversations with fellow pilgrims open new perspectives, and those moments of connection are part of the Camino’s magic and healing power.
I believe every pilgrim is healing in some way. That healing comes through love, friendship, and care, the small acts that nurture hope along the way. And without hope, life loses its meaning and drive. Walking the Camino reminds us to carry that hope forward, long after the hike itself is over.
Thank you so much for reading my Expectations vs Reality: Tips for walking the Camino de Santiago post. If you enjoyed my content and would like to support my blog, you can do so via Buy Me a Coffee.
Till next time,
Carolin
For more Camino content check out my other posts:
- Great Accommodation on the Camino Portuguese (Coastal Route)
- A Quick Camino Frances Itinerary For a 5 Day Hike
- FREE Camino Portuguese Coastal Route Itinerary For A 15-Day Hike
- 47 Random Facts about Santiago de Compostela That Will Make You Want To Visit
- My Camino de Santiago Preparation & How to organise a Pilgrimage Hike
No Comments