18 Camino de Santiago Tips that ACTUALLY Make a Difference

[@caminotellers]

Which other pieces of advice could you add to this list?

[@claudelambert9916]

don't over think it , remember it's an adventure and of course things are going to happen , travel light and bring your sense of humour ,, enjoy !

[@johnnytiger7580]

I have walked the whole Camino started in Saint Jean Pied du Port in april/may 2024 carrying my backpack all the way. I'm 74. What is important is that you have good cushion on your walking shoes. In many places the surface is very hard to walk on for long periods. My trailrunners i used should have had a little bit moore cushion. Just like many others i got some inflammation on my shins and it was quite painfull couple of weeks. I took some pills and it helped me until my legs was ok. Take the time and go on your own pace. Slowly uphill with short steps and increase the pace to your comfortable walking speed when its flat. Walking the Camino was one of the best decision i have made in my life.

[@caminotellers]

Excellent! 👍 more tips like this please 🙏

[@sylvia-fm4qf]

1. Take time to air our your feet every 5km or so. Helps to prevent blisters. 2. If you open up to people, they will reciprocate. 3. Be kind and generous. 4. Bring one set of clothes to wear, one set to change into. Don’t overpack. 5. Hiking poles are highly recommended. Helped to reduce weight on my knees and stabilise when descending. 6. Don’t overthink it. Just go and do it… including the meseta. Buen camino 😊

[@caminotellers]

Superrrrr! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@sylvia-fm4qf]

@@caminotellers Love you both and thank you!! 🥰❤️

[@jenniferjuniper9118]

Starting next week. No I am not at all prepared. It was an impulsive decision, I have terminal cancer and it is now or never. I don’t like people talking about physical ability … you have the body you have and have to grab the opportunity when it comes up Ultreïa friends

[@cltinturkey]

Walk at your own pace and enjoy the beauty around you. Take little breaks and slow down as needed. Don't spend one minute racing or competing. Pick your pace and it's satisfying. Buen Camino! PS - I'd highly recommend the Camino Portugués from Porto to Santiago. If you walk the Coastal route, you'll have beautiful scenery all day and the increases in altitude aren't super steep. It's the best route, in my opinion.

[@jenniferjuniper9118]

@@cltinturkey thanks for your comment. I’ve committed to the Frances already. High speed train to St Jean and first 2 nights are booked. I’ll walk ? 34 days and see how far I get … you never know 🤗🤗🤗

[@caminotellers]

Jennifer! How are you? Are you already on the Camino??? Big hugs

[@caminotellers]

Good tip!

[@caminotellers]

Hope you will find your pace…

[@steveclayton4249]

Ive got a post Camino one. Stay jn touch with your Camino family. You all share a bond and anytime j need any advice or somebody needs help you are there for each other.

[@caminotellers]

It becomes a big Camino family, the only people who can actually understand you!

[@Emy53]

I had a car collision in February 2024. It took me over 4 months to recuperate fully, then we had so much rain, then a heatwave. I am so out of condition, that I can't possibly plan a Camino until maybe 2026. I am also not getting any younger. I regret not doing this several years ago, when I was retired, but then Covid hit, I got pneumonia, and still feel the fatigue. I don't mind pushing myself, and I will do it. I love watching your videos because I get inspired no matter how many times I have experienced setbacks.

[@marliesk9920]

You could start with short distances at the beginning of the Camino, and then slowly, when you get more fit, increase. Your fitness increases day by day on the Camino.

[@caminotellers]

Sooo true 🥰

[@caminotellers]

Emy, you can do more than you think, believe us! This year on our retreat we had two participants with Parkinson, people with Polio walk the Camino and without looking any farther, Ricky had a back injury that kept him Bed bound for a long time! You can do it!!!!!

[@cltinturkey]

Emy, I hope you will continue to heal and feel better. One important lesson is to walk your own Camino at your own pace. Don't listen to others or try to walk a long distance each day. Once I switched from the recommended daily distance to one that suited me well, I enjoyed each day. I ended up walking 15-20 km per day and built in one rest day each week. It was great!

[@cltinturkey]

A friend invited me to join her on the Camino Frances. At the last minute, she backed out. With one week before my flight, I changed to the Camino Portugués and did all the research I could in that week. I walked from Porto to Santiago along the coastline and am so glad I did. Once I truly decided to walk my own Camino at my own pace, the journey became wonderful. Don't be a slave to any suggested mileage or to what "they say". Walk your own Camino and you'll learn much about yourself. You'll meet wonderful people and the Camino will provide lessons when you need them. It's pretty magical. In Santiago I found a little book "After the Camino" which said "find the thing that lights you up and do it. Do it NOW." That is great advice!

[@caminotellers]

🥰

[@TheVJohnso]

Don’t be afraid to do it. I walked the end of April on the Frances at almost 71. It was amazing to experience this after reading and watching everything I could for 7 months. Thanks to Erica and Ricky for the great videos and emails they sent to make me feel I was so prepared. Have to say I wasn’t prepared to all of a sudden, almost 3 weeks in, to not be able to put any weight on my foot. Had to give in and take taxi, 2 nights in albergue, another taxi, bus, 5 days in Leon, bought hiking canes, bus to Sarria AND I finished it. Don’t be afraid to do it. Retuned home after spending additional week in Spain to find that I had walked a month on a fractured heel. Boot and crutches for 6 weeks. DONT BE AFRAID TO DO IT. I would do it again, and really hope to!

[@caminotellers]

Wow, what a great testimony ❤️

[@alanharvey1448]

Great compilation of advice. When l did my Camino I was in my 60’s, overweight and not that fit. I took it one step at a time, at my pace, and made it. Don’t think you can’t do it.

[@caminotellers]

Excellent 👌

[@EljadedCynic]

Looking forward to starting my first at the end of this month. Thanks for the content.

[@caminotellers]

French way of Portugues?

[@EljadedCynic]

@@caminotellers del Norte

[@amyrullo549]

I love this so much! I have been home over a month and I miss it every day! best hardest thing I ever did! Enjoy every second! Buen Camino!

[@caminotellers]

Amy, we just realised that we spelled your name wrongly… sorry!

[@amyrullo549]

@@caminotellers please…no worries…

[@peregrina-2011]

Hi William and Jackie!!! 👋🏼 So good to see you in this one. :)

This last comment on the video made me cry of the emotion, thanks a lot.

[@caminotellers]

You're welcome 😊we are committed to make an meaningful contribution to the humanity 🥰

[@hugocast]

Assuming positive intent was a big thing! Thank you for this.

[@caminotellers]

Absolutely!

[@paulafitz532]

Thank you 😊

[@caminotellers]

🥰

[@guneyd]

Aahh Ceci & Corty! Lovely couple! I met them in Zubiri :D.

[@caminotellers]

They are soooo cool!

[@user-rj7xy1wf2d]

Great post! Heading out on my second Camino Sept 22...San Salvador and Primitivo! Love you guys!! Rick

[@caminotellers]

Thanks Rick! Let us know how is your Camino :)

[@joecanavan8158]

Excellent video!

[@caminotellers]

Thanks Joe! We share more of the positive and motivating content, making every minute count!

[@cvswf]

this video was really inspiring, i liked listening to the advice from so many different pilgrims! really looking foward to my first camino starting in a month. i'm planning on doing at least the last 100 km of the camino portugese starting from vigo, maybe even starting from tui, we'll see. if i really liked it, i might do finisterre too.

[@caminotellers]

Awesome! Thank you! When are you starting your Camino??

[@cvswf]

@@caminotellers i will start on september 12! i'm already really excited, since this will be my first long distance hike :)

[@galahad6001]

This is an excellent post

[@caminotellers]

We decided to do things that MATTER, sharing good vibes, positive energy and hopefully good and valuable content! There is no time to loose other things

[@claser-dz]

Please do not be lazy and make the MESETA part.... (FRENCH WAY) jejejejeje

[@caminotellers]

Jajajaja ! We Agree!

[@cltinturkey]

You need supportive trail runners or hiking boots that you have worn in for about 80 km. You need a well-balanced and supportive pack and learn how to adjust it to take weight off your shoulders. You need to take MUCH less than you think. I ended up with two short sleeve and one long sleeve shirt, a jacket, a scarf, one pair shorts, one pair pants, a sleep shirt, 3 pairs socks and underwear, a bandanna, a pen and small notebook, my trail runners and one pair sandals, a hat, sunglasses, and my phone in case of emergency. Everything else I gave away. The Camino will provide and you'll be SO happy not to carry anything else.

[@caminotellers]

Thanks for this great motivation

[@user-hc5mn8cy5t]

did you only look for Americans…….and one or two Europeans?

[@caminotellers]

Have you watched the whole video?!?

[@briant1709]

I watched the whole video, 75% from the United States. Nobody from Spain, France, Belgium Australia, Japan, Korea. Some Caminos (e.g. Lebaniego) have 90% Spanish and I saw only one North American, from Canada on that. On Camino del Norte not many either.