How Long is the Camino de Santiago & How Long Does it Take to Walk it?
This is one of the most common questions about the Camino de Santiago, and one of the most difficult to answer. We know that there are several routes that lead pilgrims to Santiago, but apart from the length of each, we must also take into account the time available to each person or what your physical condition allows.
There are several ways to do the Camino de Santiago: choose a short Camino and complete it in one go; do a longer Camino in sections and, each time you have time, pick up where you left off; or plan ahead and embark for several weeks to finish one of the big ones.
As there are several options, not to mention if we add extra nights to relax, in this article we focus on the minimum time that pilgrims usually need to complete each of the variants of the Camino de Santiago.
Keep in mind that, in order to get the Compostela, you will have to walk the last 100 km (62 miles). In this article we also include options for those who only have a week, or less, to do the Camino. Keep reading and find the best option for you!
If you need logistical support to do the Camino, do not hesitate to contact us to learn more about our organised walks.
The Camino in 1 week
Camino Francés from Sarria (the last 100 km)
Length: 114 km (70 miles) from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela
Days needed: 5 - 6 days
Distance per day: 18 - 25 km (11 - 15 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate, with gentle hills typical of the Galician landscape
The French Way from Sarria, which covers the last 100 km to Santiago, is one of the most popular routes to obtain the Compostela. Along this stretch, pilgrims pass through Galician landscapes and villages such as Portomarín and Melide. In the last stages several Caminos converge, so the feeling of community and walking all together is unique.
Camino Portuguese from Tui (the last 100km)
Length: 114 km from Tui to Santiago de Compostela
Days needed: 6 days
Distance per day: Between 15 and 24 km (9 - 14 miles)
Difficulty: Easy-medium. The last section of the Portuguese Way, which runs through Galicia, has slightly higher ascents and descents than the previous sections, from 350 to 600 metres in the last stage.
The last 100km (62 miles) of the Portuguese Way, necessary to obtain the Compostela if you walk the Camino, are entirely in Galicia. Once in Tui, you can take the opportunity to step on Portugal and go to Valença do Minho across the river.
Camino Lebaniego
Length: Approximately 72 km from San Vicente de la Barquera to Santo Toribio de Liébana.
Days required: 3-4 days.
Distance per day: Two stages of 30km and one of 15km. The first two stages can be converted into 3.
Difficulty: Easy. Although the first two stages of the Camino Lebaniego are somewhat tedious due to the 30km per day and having to walk along stretches of road, only 3 or 4 days are needed to complete it.
The Camino Lebaniego is a short but intense route, which connects the coast with the interior of Cantabria, at the foot of the Picos de Europa. Although there is a route that continues to Mansilla de las Mulas to join the French Way, the Camino Lebaniego ends at the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, a sacred place where the largest piece of wood from the cross where Jesus was crucified is said to be found.
▶ Read more about the Camino Lebaniego
Camino Sanabrés (the last 100 km)
Length: 105 km (71 miles) from Ourense to Santiago de Compostela.
Days required: 4-5 days.
Distance per day: Between 21 and 35 km (13 - 21 miles), the longest stage can be divided into two.
Difficulty: Moderate, with some significant gradients as it crosses mountainous areas in Galicia.
If you do not have much time or you just want to make first contact with the Camino de Santiago, walking the last 100 km of the Camino Sanabrés is a very good option, and offers the option to get the Compostela.
Although many people choose to do the last stretch of the French Way from Sarria, those looking for more peace and solitude should look for another alternative, such as the Camino Sanabrés.
Camino Inglés
Length: 119 km (73 miles) from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela
Days required: 6 days
Distance per day: Between 15 and 24 km (9 - 14 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate, with some gradients but with short distances
The English Way, also known as the Pilgrims' Route of the Sea, was the route used by British pilgrims, and from other northern European countries who arrived by boat to Galician lands. Like other lesser known and less crowded routes, the experience offered by the English Way is more introspective, but passing through one of the most important cities of Galicia, A Coruña.
The Camino in 2 weeks
Camino Portuguese (from Oporto)
Length: 240 km (150 miles) from Oporto to Santiago de Compostela
Days required: 11-12 days
Distance per day: Between 15 and 28 km (9 - 17 miles)
Difficulty: Easy. Stages of maximum 27 km with the exception of Barcelos - Ponte da Lima, almost 35 km (21 miles), which can be divided into two days.
From Porto, the Portuguese Way divides and the pilgrim has to choose whether to follow the Coastal Way (the flattest and most accessible of all the routes) or the Central Way, following the interior of Portugal. Both join again in the town of Redondela, in Galicia.
▶ Read more about the Camino Portuguese
Camino Sanabrés
Length: 370 km (230 miles) from Granja de Moreruela to Santiago de Compostela.
Days needed: 13-14 days
Distance per day: 22 and 33 km (14 - 21 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate, with some gradients of up to 700m in the area of Galicia.
The Camino Sanabrés is a variant of the Camino de la Vía de la Plata which, from the town of Granja de Moreruela, in Zamora, continues northwestwards entering Santiago via Ourense. It is a less crowded Camino, a perfect option for those who want to avoid the crowds of the French Way, but it means that services are also scarcer, so minimal planning is recommended.
Camino Primitivo
Length: 313 km (195 miles) from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela
Days needed: 14-16 days
Distance per day: Between 16 and 25 km (10 - 16 miles), with a couple of stages of up to almost 30 km.
Difficulty: Moderate, with a couple of stages of significant difficulty, such as the ascent to the Puerto de Palo.
The Primitive Way, the first of the Pilgrims' Routes to Santiago de Compostela, was made by Alfonso II, King of Asturias, when he heard that the remains of the apostle St. James had been found in Galicia.
Although it is the oldest, it is not as popular as the French, Portuguese or Northern routes, but year after year it is gaining followers, especially those seeking nature and the enjoyment of rural landscapes.
▶ Read more about the Camino Primitivo
The Camino in 3-4 weeks
Camino Portuguese (from Lisbon)
Length: 620 km (385 miles) from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela
Days required: 24-26 days
Distance per day: Between 18 and 30 km (11 - 19 miles)
Difficulty: Easy. The Portuguese Way is known for its low difficulty. The most demanding stages have ascents of up to 250m but that is combined with distances of just over 30 km.
Starting from the Portuguese capital, pilgrims advance through towns and villages such as Santarém, Coimbra, Porto and Pontevedra, amidst rural landscapes, vineyards and rich architecture. The stretch to Porto is less busy, allowing for a more introspective experience.
▶ Read more about the Camino Portuguese
The Camino in more than 4 weeks
Camino Francés (complete)
Length: About 770 km (478 miles) from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Spain-France border) to Santiago de Compostela.
Days required: 30 - 35 days
Distance per day: Between 20 and 26 km (12 - 16 miles)
Difficulty level: Easy with some moderate stages. Average of 260 m ascent and descent with harder stages at the beginning and at the end, such as the section to O Cebreiro, with 660 m of ascent.
The French Way is the most popular pilgrimage route through the north of Spain, offering a wide variety of landscapes and traditions. It links at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port with the Via Podiensis, guiding pilgrims from all over Europe.
Camino del Norte
Length: 825 km (513 miles) from Irún to Santiago de Compostela
Days needed: 34-37 days
Distance per day: Between 18 and 30 km (11 - 19 miles), with a couple of stages of almost 40 km (25 miles).
Difficulty: It is one of the most demanding routes, especially the first stages. Following the coast of the Basque Country, the Camino del Norte tests your legs with several climbs and descents. The scenery is beautiful, but you will be glad to finish each stage. The rest of the Camino is less demanding.
The Camino del Norte takes you to the north of Spain, stopping in towns and villages in the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. The first part of the route is characterised by spectacular views of the Cantabrian Sea and some fairly tough stages. Gradually the gradients become gentler and, once you enter Galicia after the town of Ribadeo, you leave the sea to go as straight as possible to Santiago.
▶ Read more about the Camino del Norte
Le Puy Way (Via Podiensis)
Length: Approx. 740 km (460 miles) from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Days required: 30-34 days
Distance per day: Between 20 and 30 km (12 - 19 miles)
Difficulty: Medium-high. Although none of the stages are particularly long, there are few sections with no gradient, especially the first few.
The Way of Le Puy, or Via Podiensis, is the route that pilgrims from all over Europe took to cross France and join the French or Northern Way, once in Spain. With a mixture of diverse landscapes, the route passes through picturesque villages, some of which have been awarded the distinction of ‘The Most Beautiful Villages of France’.
The route ends in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, from where you can continue to Roncesvalles on the French Way, or join the Northern Way from Irún.
Via de la Plata
Length: 964 km (600 miles) from Seville to Santiago de Compostela
Days required: 36 - 39 days
Distance per day: Between 20 and 25 km (12 - 16 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate, mainly because of the length of the route. Relatively flat stages with no steep climbs.
The Vía de la Plata is one of the longest pilgrimages, almost 1000 km (620 miles). Starting from Seville, it covers 700 km (435 miles) until it arrives near Astorga, where pilgrims have to choose whether to join the popular French Way, or to walk on their own, following the route of the Camino Sanabrés.
Considerations when choosing a Camino de Santiago
Each route has its own charm and level of difficulty. The distances and the ascents and descents vary between stages of the same route as the route crosses different areas, each with its orography and climatology. However, apart from this, the physical condition of the pilgrim must also be taken into account. It is essential to prepare adequately for the Camino, considering both the number of days and the difficulty of each route.
Therefore, it will be up to you to decide whether the Camino is manageable or not, or to prepare yourself for it. But don’t let this discourage you! If any Camino feels daunting, start with just a few stages or choose one of the flatter routes.
Use these other guides to help you plan your next Camino.
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