Walking the Camino de Santiago requires not only faith and strength but also a little bit of physical training. Our recommendation is to start with an easy training a few months before starting the Camino. As your specialist Incoming Travel Agency since 2001, we are going to give you some tips for facing the Camino de Santiago.
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Get ready beforehand
One of the main advises to be in shape for the Camino de Santiago is to start initially with one-hour walk 2-3 days per week. It should be fast pace. Slowly, you can increase the pace and the time you walk. Quick tip: try different types of roads: soil, slopes, and pavements since the Camino not only follows a type of roads… Increasing your physical activity is necessary however; you should not forget two important things: Being a Pilgrim involves carrying an extra weight: your backpack.
Pilgrim’s backpack
Carrying it during days makes the Way of Saint James a little bit harder as days go by and your tiredness would increase. As your specialist Incoming Agency in the Camino, we will transport your backpack from hotel to hotel, so you will only need a small one to carry water and snacks. Therefore, you will forget about those extra kilos and feel freer to enjoy the experience.
Do not forget your feet!
The second more important thing to take care of your feet. Your feet will take you to Santiago and they are going to suffer from an important effort. You should learn beforehand how to take care of them because getting blisters would be almost unavoidable. Therefore, you should be ready and toughen them up beforehand: get a good trekking shoes and use them while you train, never wear new shoes when starting the Camino! You should wash your feet at least twice per, dry them conscientiously and massage them.
Packing for the Camino
When it comes to getting your backpack ready do not forget that everything has a weight. Therefore, getting yourself ready also involves knowing what you would mostly need on the Camino.
Here you are a few tips:
When doing the Camino on foot:
Credencial del Peregrino
- Get an anatomic backpack (when full it should not be more than 10% of your weight)
- Sleeping bag (the lightest on the market)
- A hat (preferably waterproof)
- A thermos flask
- Microfiber clothes (only the necessary)
- Vanity case
- Flip-flop
- Emergency kit
- Water bottle
- Laundry soap
- Sunscreen
- Identification
- Pilgrim’s passport ( Credencial del Peregrino)
- Walking stick
- Cord and clothespin
- Needle and thread
Remember: if you do the Camino with us, you will forget about your bag!
When doing the Camino by bike:
- Multitask tools for bikes
- Brake´s bearing
- Bicycle pump
- An extra patch and inner tube
- Chain cutters and an express chain kit (in case your chain brakes)
Note: if you would like to do the Camino by bike with us, we can offer you to rent our bikes with Premium Assistance. It would definitely make your way much easier and especially free of worries and unexpected incidents. Check our Pinterest for more details!
The Camino by bike
Tips for your everyday walk towards Santiago
- Get ready to walk 20 -30 km. per day
- Start your day early “the early bird catches the worm”
- Bring dark chocolate and nuts always with you
- Keep an eye on your personal belongings
Tips for the Camino de Santiago: take care of your feet
Tips to avoid blisters
- Never walk with new trekking boots
- Always wear two pair of socks
- Avoid transpiration in your feet using talcum powder
- If you still get one of them, pinch it with a thin needle, disinfect with alcohol and do not pull out the skin.
If you want to concentrate in enjoying the experience, forgetting about luggage, bike tools and just feel the Camino vibes in charming hotels with a guide, then you had found the right Incoming Service for the different Ways of Saint James!
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