So … what is the Camino?

The Camino de Santiago, known in English as the Way of St James, is a network of pilgrims' ways or pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried.

In 2021, 178,912 pilgrims checked in at the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela. Many more would have walked other sections of the Camino, increasing that number.

The pilgrims that year were 50% male/50% female. Prior to the pandemic, females had taken the majority, often being solo travelers, but that number has decreased since 2020 back to an even split.

93% walked/hiked the Camino
6% rode a bicycle
<1% rode a horse
<1% used a wheelchair

More than half (58%) of the pilgrims are between 30-60 years old;
26% are younger than 30
16% are older than 60

The majority of pilgrims are from Spain, with the USA, Portugal, Italy, France and Germany adding a small fraction to the final numbers, as well as citizens of countless other countries.

We are starting our journey in Sarria and we won’t be alone … this is the most popular starting point along The Way. Let’s get the party started! 🌎🎒

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