Walking the Camino de Santiago Changed My Life

Article Summary: 

• Everyone walks the Camino de Santiago for reasons that are unique to them. And we all have very personal experiences on our journey. 
• With a little bit of preparation, most people can walk the Camino de Santiago or at least part of it. That still counts!
• The Camino is a life-changing experience and everyone comes away with a new perspective. The Camino stays with you, even when you’re back home. 

I first learned of the Camino de Santiago during my art history studies at university, and it stuck with me for years even though the thought of walking so far terrified me. 

The Camino de Santiago is a network of ancient walking routes through Europe. They culminate at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain where the remains of St. James are believed to lie.

It’s not just a walk – the Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage, and pilgrims have been walking these routes since the 9th Century.

In 2017, I found myself tired of going through the motions in my life. My job was no longer fulfilling and I needed a change of scenery. I decided that it was time to stop thinking about the Camino and just go. 

It wasn’t only a break from my day-to-day life that I was looking for, but also an incredible travel adventure. I wanted to connect with different people. And I hadn’t yet been to Spain. They say something special happens on the Camino and I wanted to find out what that was.

I am a seasoned solo traveler. But walking for five weeks across a foreign country alone was very daunting. I am not a long-distance walker nor am I a camper. I knew preparation for this would not be the same as for my other travels. I had to train to walk far distances daily. I also needed a sturdy backpack and proper shoes, alongside other gear for the Camino.

It was important to me that I walk all 800 kilometers at once. So I took a leave from work and set out on my five-week pilgrimage. 

The Camino is not a walk around the block, but it’s also not Mount Everest. If I can do it, most people can. And here’s some insight into my experience so you can know what to expect (and why I think you should do it too).

My Experience on the Camino de Santiago 

The most popular Camino route is the Camino Francés. This 800 km walk begins in St. Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees and ends in Santiago de Compostela. I was walking alone and this was my first Camino. Because of the popularity of this route, I felt it would be the best one for me to do for the first time.

Going from the frenetic pace of daily life to the slowest travel you could imagine took a while to get used to. And a shadow of unknowns hung over me for the first few days. 

Could I do this? What if I got lost? What if I couldn’t find a place to sleep? These questions walked with me like an annoying travel buddy.

Even though I was only walking, embarking on a journey like this required me to overcome a lot of mental hurdles.

It was both a physical and mental test to keep going when I was tired. Staying focused on my goal of reaching that cathedral in Santiago de Compostela kept me going. 

It also helped me to take time before and during my Camino for spiritual reflection.

I thought about what my intentions were for my journey. What was I seeking? What did I hope to discover about myself? And who would I dedicate my daily walk to? You don’t have to be religious or spiritual to walk the Camino. But it becomes evident that this walk is quite sacred. 

Soon enough, I settled into the Camino groove and realized nothing bad would happen to me. The terrain wasn’t as difficult as I anticipated. The yellow arrows and shell waymarkers would always help me find my way, and I found a bed every night.

I relaxed and began enjoying my gorgeous surroundings. I reveled in the silence and solitude of rural Spain. I started to make friends. 

My daily walks were a joy, and I loved walking through fields of wildflowers and vineyards. I marveled at the breathtaking mountain vistas, took breaks to soak my feet in cool streams, and got up close views of newborn ponies and herds of cows.

I walked between 20 and 25 kilometers every day for 37 days. Most nights, I stayed at a pilgrim’s hostel, known as an albergue. These are modest, shared accommodations catering to those walking the Camino.

Dinner was always a daily highlight. We’d gather for a meal put on by our hosts at the albergue, meet at a local restaurant, or cook together. It was a special way to recap our day’s journey over a delicious meal and bottle of wine and a time to connect with new friends and those who we hadn’t seen for days. 

I also fell in love with a new country, its culture, and its people. 

Spain’s history is fascinating and the Camino takes you on a journey through time where you’ll encounter Paleolithic, Medieval, Islamic, and Catholic history. I stumbled upon Roman ruins, visited centuries-old churches, and learned what a hórreo is (it’s a granary found on Galician farms). 

Spanish culture is wonderful. I loved lingering with a cup of coffee and being forced to siesta. Few places were open during the hours of 2 PM – 7 PM, so I had no choice but to chill out. But I never got used to eating late. I’m always hungry at 5! So that was a struggle. 

The Spanish people are kind and patient. I went with only “hola”, “por favor” and “gracias”. They laughed as I fumbled and massacred their language. And they showed me kindness and courtesy that I will never forget. It’s amazing how you can connect with others simply through laughter and hand gestures. 

But my Camino wasn’t always perfect. Just like in “real life”, I did come across a few challenges. I experienced pain in places I didn’t know existed. My arms and legs got ravaged by bedbugs. I got caught in a few downpours. And I came across a couple of people that made me feel uneasy. 

Just like in “real life” I had to find ways to deal with these inconveniences, but certainly not without help from other pilgrims, albergue hosts, and pharmacists. They were always there right when I needed them. And maybe I even helped one or two of my fellow pilgrims by offering a Band-Aid or a listening ear. 

After all, the Camino is reciprocal. 

What I Learned from Walking the Camino de Santiago

Walking the Camino de Santiago was an experience that changed my life in so many unexpected ways. 

One of the best things to come out of it was a boost in my confidence and self-esteem. If I could walk across a country with all my possessions on my back, I could tackle anything in life. I discovered I am more courageous and resilient than I thought. And it showed me how little I need to be happy. 

I learned the importance of taking risks and that things will always, somehow, work out. And when you’ve lost all hope, a miracle appears. 

Openness and vulnerability are important on the Camino. Pushing myself in this way allowed me to discover things about myself. But most importantly, connected me with others whom I am blessed to now call lifelong friends. This was undeniably the most special part of my Camino. 

Since I walked, I’ve experienced many profound changes in my life. If it weren’t for the Camino, I wouldn’t have pursued travel writing. I wouldn’t be learning Spanish. I also wouldn’t have left a stable career behind to move to Spain and teach English for two years (read about my experience moving to Spain here!).

I’ve even returned to the Camino as a volunteer and have walked a few days on some of the other routes. And the next one is in the works. It becomes an addiction. 

Before embarking on my Camino, I knew it would be a life-changing experience. Everyone said it would be. I thought big revelations about my life would hit me while I was walking. 

They didn’t. I just had a really good time. But I came back different and incredible things that wouldn’t have even crossed my mind began to unfold. 

The Camino gave me a foundation that set in motion a series of actions that would impact my life greatly. And it’s an experience I will always be grateful for. 

So, if you’ve been thinking of walking the Camino de Santiago, I say don’t wait! It was the best thing I ever did for myself and I’m sure you’d feel the same.

👉 You Might Also Like: I Walked a Canadian Camino in Nova Scotia

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Are you looking to walk the Camino? Leave me a comment if so, and I’ll answer any questions you have about the experience. Buen Camino!

Looking for more Camino content? Read my article about hiking my 2nd Camino, the Camino Primitivo.