Camino Ingles - The Road Less Travelled

By Max Cordell

A practical guide to walking a lesser-known pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostela. Includes how to prepare, what to pack,how to get there, useful tips for each stage of the way.  It ends with the author's own experiences on this quiet and peaceful Camino.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Max Cordell
• Release date: Feb 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386249252

Book preview

ABOUT THIS BOOKLET

This booklet offers hints and tips based on my own experience of walking the Camino Ingles.  It’s aimed mainly at first-timers, but there is something of interest to anyone planning on walking this or any Camino, even if they’ve walked one before. The booklet is in several sections.

I talk about the planning stages; how to prepare yourself physically and mentally for what may be a challenge.  I go on to suggest a packing list based on the mistakes I made as a first-time walker. How to get to the start. Then we go on to advice specific to the Camino Ingles, stage by stage.  What the guide books don’t always tell you.

WHY THE CAMINO INGLES

Why? Because the route is quieter than the more famous route, can be covered in five days, and is long enough to qualify you to receive the Compostela, a certificate described in the next couple of paragraphs.

Many people who have heard of The Camino, the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela, think of the Camino Frances, the one made famous in the film The Way, starring Martin Sheen. But not everyone knows there are several routes to Santiago.  The Camino Ingles is an old route traditionally used by pilgrims from the North; from places like Ireland, England, Scandinavia.

At the end of your walk, in the city of Santiago, the authorities there issue you with a certificate of completion - a Compostela.  But the thing is you must have walked at least 100 km to qualify. You will need to stop at various churches, bars, cafes and albergues along the way to get a sello (a stamp) to prove you've covered the distance.  

Although the more famous Camino Frances, starting in the French border town of St Jean Pierre de Port, is 750 km (about 6 weeks walking) many people start their walk much nearer Santiago, in a town called Sarria, to gain their 100 km Compostela.  Research shows this part of the Camino is very busy.  And with people numbering in the hundreds comes noise, disruption and litter and, in the high season, a rush for a bed for the night.

The Camino Ingles avoids all this.  Typically there will be around 15 - 20 people on the stage of the Way at the same time as you.  You may not see much of them on your walk if you wish to be alone, but you will meet up with them every evening at the next albergue.  This makes for a sense of security and belonging.  But this Camino does have a few challenges, which I describe in a later section. By the way, if this is your first Camino please don't worry about the word challenges. I'm only thinking of a few steep hills, and in a later section I suggest how you might prepare for the whole experience.  Personally I loved every moment of my Camino Ingles experience; quiet country lanes, the smells of pine and eucalyptus trees, gorse and orange blossom, the warm breeze. More of this later.

WHEN TO GO.

This part of Spain has Atlantic weather.  That means it can be wet (it will rain at some point in your walk) and changeable.  You will want to make your own plans and decisions but my own research indicated that late May to early June offers the best chance of decent warm and not too hot weather, quiet roads and early summer foliage.  You would be advised not to make the journey in winter as the albergues may be closed and some sections would be dangerous in ice and snow; and short daylight hours would have you stumbling around in the dark.  The date you travel determines what clothing you pack but I would stress again, it will rain so rainwear is a must.

PREPARING FOR YOUR WALK.

We all know the old saying Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Admin - the paperwork

• First up, you will need to apply at least a month ahead for your credencial - your pilgrims passport.  You get this stamped at places along the way to show that you have actually walked The Way.

• Where to get your credencial:

• In the UK you can apply to the Confraternity of St James Confraternity of St James

• Otherwise, a search on the internet will easily locate a source of this vital document in your own country.

• Check the expiry date on your passport and check for any visa requirement for entry into Spain.

• Do you need health insurance? (Remember, if you are a resident of a EU country get a form E111 and card which entitles you to medical treatment in Spain.  You may have to pay on the day but your own country will reimburse you.)

• Tell your bank you are going to be using your debit and credit cards in Spain or the bank may block your attempts to buy things or draw cash.

Philosophy. A reason why

My friends kept asking my why I was going on this walk. I told them I didn't