There are several ways you can follow to reach Santiago. Depending on how far
and how long you can/want to walk, there are numerous starting points all over Europe.
Some people start from their own house and cross many countries on their way.
The routes coming from mainland Europe lead you through Southern France, where there are 2 ways to cross the Pyrenees that form the natural border with Spain:
The two routes join later at “Puenta la Reine”.
The route from Southern France to Santiago, crossing Northern Spain from East to West is called the “Camino Francés” (The French Way) and is the most famous and most walked route of all. This route is indicated by the thick red line on the map below.
Looking at the Iberian Pensile itself there are routes coming from every direction. For example there is a way along the north coast of Spain (El Camino del Norte or Ruta de la Costa) and one coming from Portugal, along the west coast (El Camino Portugués).
Many big cities in Spain are popular starting points for pilgrims on their way to Santiago. Click here to see a detailed map of the Camino routes in Spain and Portugal.
The routes coming from mainland Europe lead you through Southern France, where there are 2 ways to cross the Pyrenees that form the natural border with Spain:
- From “St-Jean-Pied-de-Port” to “Roncesvalles”, entering Spain at the province of “Navarra”.
- Over the mountain pass of “Somport” to “Jaca”, entering Spain at the province of “Aragón”.
The two routes join later at “Puenta la Reine”.
The route from Southern France to Santiago, crossing Northern Spain from East to West is called the “Camino Francés” (The French Way) and is the most famous and most walked route of all. This route is indicated by the thick red line on the map below.
Looking at the Iberian Pensile itself there are routes coming from every direction. For example there is a way along the north coast of Spain (El Camino del Norte or Ruta de la Costa) and one coming from Portugal, along the west coast (El Camino Portugués).
Many big cities in Spain are popular starting points for pilgrims on their way to Santiago. Click here to see a detailed map of the Camino routes in Spain and Portugal.