Santiago Plan

Compare the routes of the Camino de Santiago

The main routes side by side: distance, number of stages, days, real elevation gain and difficulty. Choose the one that best fits your time, your fitness and what you are looking for.

RouteDistanceStagesDaysElevation gainDifficultyBest for
Camino FrancésFrancia · Navarra · La Rioja · Castilla y León · Galicia≈ 7643331–34+11064 mModerateIdeal for first-timers thanks to its waymarking, services and pilgrim atmosphere; walked on foot or ridden by bicycle.
Camino PortuguésPortugal · Galicia≈ 241 (Central, desde Oporto)1010–13+3675 mEasyA comfortable, hugely popular route, ideal for first-timers; on foot or by bike.
Camino del NortePaís Vasco · Cantabria · Asturias · Galicia≈ 815 (desde Irún)3332–34+14715 mHardFor those seeking coast and mountains who already have a few miles behind them; it calls for good physical condition.
Camino PrimitivoAsturias · Galicia≈ 306 (con el Francés desde Melide)1413–14+8000 mHardFor experienced pilgrims seeking mountains and solitude.
Camino InglésGalicia≈ 112 (desde Ferrol)55–6+1796 mModeratePerfect for a first short experience, in 5-6 days.
Vía de la PlataAndalucía · Extremadura · Castilla y León · Galicia≈ 1.000 (Sevilla–Sanabrés)4038–45+11961 mHardFor seasoned pilgrims seeking a great crossing in solitude.
Camino Portugués de la CostaPortugal · Galicia≈ 271 (desde Oporto)1312–13+4483 mEasyFor those seeking the coast, the light and an easy walk; on foot or by bike.
Variante EspiritualGalicia (Pontevedra)≈ 70 (Pontevedra–Padrón)33+1028 mModerateFor those seeking a stretch rich in symbolism amid estuary scenery.
Camino Portugués InteriorPortugal (Beira, Trás-os-Montes) · Galicia (Ourense)≈ 385 (desde Viseu)2115–18+7285 mHardFor the seasoned pilgrim in search of rural authenticity.
Caminho da Geira e dos ArrieirosPortugal (Braga) · Galicia (Ourense, Pontevedra, A Coruña)≈ 2401010+5104 mHardFor mountain lovers and those drawn to nature and Roman history.
Camino SanabrésCastilla y León (Zamora) · Galicia (Ourense, Pontevedra, A Coruña)≈ 3691413–16+6217 mModerateFor those continuing the Plata in search of peace and quiet.
Camino AragonésAragón (Huesca, Zaragoza) · Navarra≈ 16566–7+4573 mModerateFor those crossing the eastern Pyrenees in search of calm.
Camino de InviernoCastilla y León (León) · Galicia (Ourense, Lugo, Pontevedra, A Coruña)≈ 2631210–11+5798 mModerateFor those seeking wine-country landscapes and a way to avoid the crowds.
Camino de MadridComunidad de Madrid · Castilla y León (Segovia, Valladolid, León)≈ 3231313+2379 mModerateFor those leaving Madrid in search of a quiet path.
Camino OlvidadoPaís Vasco · Cantabria · Castilla y León (Burgos, Palencia, León)≈ 450–4802322+8151 mModerateFor the pilgrim in search of extreme solitude and heritage.
Camino MozárabeAndalucía · Extremadura≈ 611 (Almería–Mérida)1827+4197 mHardFor seasoned pilgrims seeking Al-Andalus heritage and a serious challenge.
Camino CatalánCataluña · Aragón · La Rioja≈ 1.090 (desde Montserrat)1840–45+3106 mModerateFor those setting out in Catalonia, weaving heritage and pilgrimage into one.
Camino del EbroCataluña · Aragón · Navarra · La Rioja≈ 4401717–18+3971 mEasyFor anyone after a flat, peaceful route alongside the river.
Camino de LevanteComunitat Valenciana · Castilla-La Mancha · Castilla y León≈ 1.000+ (hasta Santiago)2842+6674 mModerateFor the long-distance pilgrim who seeks solitude.
Camino del SuresteComunitat Valenciana · Castilla-La Mancha · Castilla y León≈ 1.000 (hasta Santiago)2940–42+6335 mHardFor veterans looking for a long, solitary Camino.
Camino de la LanaComunitat Valenciana · Castilla-La Mancha (Cuenca) · Castilla y León≈ 676 (desde Alicante)2727+8319 mModerateFor the independent walker seeking solitude and open country.
Camino Vasco del InteriorPaís Vasco · La Rioja · Castilla y León (Burgos)≈ 200–25798–11+4165 mHardFor those seeking a Basque alternative steeped in Roman history.
Camino BaztanésNavarra (desde Bayona, Francia)≈ 108 (Bayona–Pamplona)44–5+2880 mModerateFor those seeking a calm, green way into the Pyrenees.
Camino Vadiniense y LebaniegoCantabria · Castilla y León (León)≈ 234 (San Vicente–Mansilla)1010+6378 mHardFor mountain lovers with a devotional or jubilee interest.
Camino de San SalvadorCastilla y León (León) · Asturias≈ 12064–5+2795 mHardFor those who want to link up with the Primitivo and love the mountains.
Camino de Finisterre-MuxíaGalicia (A Coruña · Costa da Morte)≈ 87 (a Fisterra) · 114 (ambos)53–5+1376 mModerateFor those who want to close their Camino before the ocean.
Ruta del Mar de Arousa y Río UllaGalicia (Pontevedra · A Coruña)≈ 74 náuticos + 25 a pie (Padrón–Santiago)21–2+572 mEasyFor those who want to experience the Camino's founding legend by sea.

Distances are approximate; the elevation gain is calculated on the real track of each route. See each route page for the stage-by-stage detail.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the easiest route of the Camino de Santiago?
The English Way (from Ferrol) is the shortest and most manageable, ideal for a first time with few days. The Central Portuguese is also comfortable and flat.
Which is the toughest route?
The Camino Primitivo has the most elevation gain per kilometre (with the Hospitales Route), followed by the Northern Way for its constant ups and downs along the coast.
Which is the most popular and best served?
The French Way: it is the busiest, the best waymarked and the one with the most hostels and services. The best choice for first-timers.
Which can I do in a week?
The English Way (5 stages) or the last 100 km of any route from its 100 km point (for example, Sarria on the French Way) take about 5–7 days.