Camino Ramblings Resource Guide

  • Websites
  • Route Guides
  • Forums & Social Media
  • Blogs
  • Travel & Accommodation
  • Health & Fitness
  • Packing & Gear
  • Pilgrim Stories
  • Mobile Apps

Preparing for the Camino de Santiago involves a mix of physical, mental, and logistical preparation. Here’s a comprehensive list of online resources to help you gather information and get ready for the journey:

1. Official Websites

These websites are directly associated with the Camino de Santiago and offer authoritative information.

2. Camino Route Guides

Online resources dedicated to route planning and navigating the Camino.

  • Camino Guides by John Brierley- The Originals
    • John – Bless Him offers comprehensive guides for each route on the Camino. Includes detailed maps, stages, elevation profiles, spiritual thoughts, accommodation options, and advice for walkers.
    • A detailed website providing route descriptions, stages, and accommodation recommendations.
    • Users can filter routes based on difficulty, distance, and time.
  • Camino Guides from Amazon Includes the excellent Cicerone , Brierley & Village to Village Series – all of which I have used
    • Detailed information on all Camino Routes inc’ the most popular big 5 pilgrim routes Camino Francés, Camino Portugés, Camino Inglés, Camino Norté, Camino Finisterré plus 1 in France – The Via Podiensis or Le Puy Camino
    • Offers stages, accommodation, elevation maps, and personal advice.

3. Forums and Social Media Communities

Join communities where past and future pilgrims share experiences, tips, and advice.

  • Camino de Santiago Forum
    • A lively forum for discussing routes, tips, gear, health, and pilgrim stories.
    • The forum is useful for asking specific questions and getting personalized advice from experienced walkers.
  • Facebook - Camino de Santiago
    • A large community of pilgrims where you can ask questions, get recommendations, and find support from fellow travelers.
  • Reddit - r/CaminoDeSantiago
    • A community of over 20,000 members sharing experiences, advice, and gear recommendations.

4. Blogs

Websites offering in-depth articles, guides, and experiences.

  • A Collection of Favourite Camino Blogs from Laurie at The Camino Provides blog
    • Author of one of the most popular Camino guidebooks, John Brierley’s online guides are a great resource for route planning.
    • His books include detailed information on routes, pilgrim stories, and stages.
  • Camino de Santiago Blog  from CaminoRamblings.Com
    • A detailed blog offering personal experiences, tips on the Camino, Photos , Resources, Food , Wine and  gear reviews, and advice for first-time pilgrims.
    • Covers routes in Spain, UK, Japan & France and shares practical tips for preparing for the walk.
  • CaminoWays Blog
    • A travel company that offers Camino tours, their blog provides route details, accommodation tips, gear recommendations, and travel stories from pilgrims.

Practical Information and Planning

These sites provide help with the logistics of preparing for your Camino journey.

5. Travel & Accommodation

    • A resource for booking Camino tours, accommodation, and providing planning services.
    • From doing it yourself by emailing or calling those hard to reach Alberques like the famously hard to get a bed in the wonderful Orisson Refuge for one HUGE example on the Camino Frances – the amount of people who just turn up here and its 90% sure to be full.       ( I do know lucky folk who got a bed on spec )
    • To using Booking.com as this has most – not all places covered. Always worth calling direct if no availability on Booking.Com as its not unknown for properties to keep rooms or beds for direct customers.
    • To using organised Adventure companies like Macs Adventures or Utracks.com – both great sites  . I’ve used them all and each has its place – see the separate Travel & Accom drop down menu for why. ( Budget , length of Trip , Imaginative Trips mainly )
    • Even if you are going to book each day yourself they all offer tips on creating a tailored itinerary and provide suggested routes and accommodations.

6. Health and Fitness Resources

Focus on physical preparation, injury prevention, and health tips for the Camino.

  • Camino de Santiago Training Plan
    • USE THE PLAN ON THIS SITE – ITS BETTER THAN ANY OTHERS IVE YET TO SEE AND IS WEIGHT AND AGE BASED. A training program to help prepare for the Camino, including detailed walking schedules and strength-building exercises. With a focus on developing stamina and preventing injuries.
  • Walk the Camino.com
    • I really like the fresh look of this site and they’ve kept it simple and easy to navigate. This section of their site offers fitness advice for those preparing for the Camino- and BONUS ! --- They offer a downloadable PDF with a an illustrated fitness and pre-hike exercise booklet. Really Nice.
  • Pilgrim Health Tips – Camino de Santiago
    • The Santiago based VIAJES CAMINO DE SANTIAGO offer NOT too detailed Health tips to prepare for the Camino, including advice on joint health, walking posture, and avoiding common walking injuries. The author – Jorge Severo looks an interesting Caminista – a Galician Camino Guide of huge experience

7. Packing and Gear – You can never have too many Packing Ideas – Until now – here’s Too Many

Online resources to ensure you have the right equipment for the Camino.

  • Camino de Santiago Gear Guide – CaminoRamblings.com
    • Use the Packing guide on this site – its one of the few that’s weight based . Essential.
    • Detailed advice on what to pack, what gear to bring, and packing strategies.
    • Focuses on lightweight packing to keep the load manageable.

Camino de Santiago Packing Lists

  • A particularly good Female Packing list from Megs at Packing up the Pieces
  • One for the Boys – a Male packing list from GuyontheRoad.com  and of course a super detailed one from CaminoRamblings.com aimed at weight as well as function  – follow the homepage drop down menus on this site !
    • Always handy these detailed packing lists for the Camino, considering both the essentials and the practical needs of a pilgrim.
  • Camino Packing List – Gronze
    • Offers a comprehensive list of everything you'll need for your journey.
    • Provides suggestions based on season and personal preferences (e.g., lightweight packing, clothing for rain, etc.).
  • The Ultimate Packing List for the Camino de Santiago
    • From What’s Dave Doing? Website – its straight forward enthusiasts site. This section offers a detailed, well-rounded packing list for pilgrims, from the basics to specialized Camino gear. He’s tried it all himself and his ~one man band” approach is appealing and authentic.
  • REI Co-op – The Perfect Kit – All occasions covered
    • A comprehensive packing guide from REI co-op. These guys are HUGE in the U.S. – not so over in the UK or Europe . They’re a leading outdoor retailer. This section of their site offers suggestions on a dozen different occasions. And it’s a Co-op -nice.

8. Pilgrim Stories and Inspiration

Firsthand accounts, inspiration, and motivation for your journey.

  • Camino Diaries Fabulous Lay Out for Clear Stage identification
    • From Trekking West a  site featuring personal stories from Aussie Josh West. ( Jealous he,s got a direction in his name 🙂  It’s a refreshing site design , loads of white space , clear navigation. His stories make compelling reading .
  • CAMINO RAMBLINGS on the BBC
    • Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Ramblings programme on BBC Radio 4 - Clare Balding and her BBC team have decided to walk parts of the Camino de Santiago starting in May 2025.
      Interesting guests, strong descriptive and narration skills coupled with Clare‘s willingness to be a facilitator and enable the guests to shine makes this a gentle and enjoyable listening experience.
      Given that the Ramblings program now has an association with the Camino ( as far as my website is concerned that’s all the right words, not necessarily in the right order 🙂 😁 ) it was impossible for me to resist providing a link here. Enjoy .

9. Mobile Apps

Useful apps for navigating the Camino de Santiago. No link for these on PC – get ‘em on ya Phone

  • Buen Camino App
    • Offers route maps, stage information, and accommodations, designed specifically for the Camino.
  • Google Maps App  – of course
    • Does what its always done
  • Wise Pilgrim.com  App  – There’s on for each Spanish Camino – buy them individually or all as a pack
    • Massive detail . An app offering route details, practical information on stages, accommodations, and things to see and visit on the way.
  • Maps.me
    • A popular navigation app for offline maps, useful for navigating parts of the Camino where cell service might be limited.
  • Get Your Guide App
    • Again – HUGE - 100,000 entries for day out , week away , year away. Amazing well established App

These online resources should give you all the tools you need for a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to prepare for the Camino de Santiago. Whether you're looking for route advice, packing tips, or community support, these sites will help you plan and execute your pilgrimage safely and enjoyably.