In September I was able to walk some sections of the Camino Frances. This is one of the pilgrim routes that leads to Santiago de Compostela, and dates back centuries. The full route stretches over 750 km if started at St Jean Pied de Port in France. In recent years the camino has gained in popularity, with people coming from all over to walk the old pilgrim trails.

I started my walking shortly before the city of Logroño, meeting friends there. Here we walked until the city of Burgos. I then skipped the flat section known as the mesa to continue walking from Astorga. Having reached Galicia, and the town of Sarria I paused my pilgrimage until the future. This was inpart to an aching and problematic knee that needed rest. In total I had walked approximately 300km over 2 weeks.

Spending Time on the Camino is often about more than just walking. It can be a very sociable experience or more solitary if you wish to walk alone. There is a great camaraderie amongst the pilgrims or walkers along the way.

The route is always passing through small towns and villages. Along the route are numerous Alberges or pilgrim hostels, these are often no more than 5 to 10 km apart on the route. Often found in beautiful peaceful villages, like shown above on the approach to Agés. Below is the small pleasant Albergue in the village of San Juan de Ortega.

You do not have to be an experienced walker to follow the route, it is easy with shells and arrows marking the way. I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about walking the Camino. Even if it is just a small part of the route to begin with, is to go and try it. I think many other pilgrims along the way would also recommend it and have great experiences on the camino.

The scenery is often changing from province to province. Seen above is the mountains on the approach to the village of El Acebo. Then as you approach Galicia province the weather often becomes wetter, with the land is becoming much greener and often used for farming.

I look forward to returning to walk on the Camino again in the future. Hopefully next time I will be able to walk more sections, perhaps even complete the Camino Frances route.