Pilgrim Preparations

It can take many months to prepare for a Camino. The 'Preparation Journey' includes coordinating travel plans (planning walking itinerary, booking fights, etc.), putting gear together, and doing lots of walking. Below are preparation resources & tips. The biggest tip about gear is to keep total weight of the pack at 15 pounds or less (excluding water) -- the lighter the pack, the less likely strains/injuries can occur, and you'll have happy feet!

Basic gear list: in preparing your own list, check out several sources; everyone's will be slightly different.

•       Backpack -- consider an “ultralight” if one fits comfortably.

•       Sleeping bag/liner -- most pilgrims bring own bag/liner for albergues (only blankets & pillows provided); in warmer months consider just bringing a liner/light sleep sack.

•       Sleeping pad (if needed)

•       Hiking clothes -- consider fabrics that are lightweight, wick away moisture, dry easily, & provide sun protection; bring colors that mix-and-match.

•       Undergarments 

•       Socks -- everyone has different preferences; I just use liner socks; some people prefer SmartWool type hiking socks over liners; experiment to find what works best; consider padded insoles.  

•       Boots/walking shoes -- it’s recommended to buy one size larger because feet heat up & expand while walking.

•       Flip flops -- for the shower; ones with a non-slip tread are good. 

•       Hat & sunglasses -- consider a hat style that covers the neck for extra sun protection. 

•       Money belt -- to keep passport, money, driver's license, credit cards, copies of documents, etc.; should be worn on the body under clothes (rather than in the backpack) to avoid losing it or having it stolen.

•       Toiletries -- shampoo, clothes soap, sun lotion, toothbrush (shorten handle to lighten), etc.

•       TP -- small ‘emergency’ roll; can take out inner cardboard to lighten.

•       Camp towel -- microfiber; try smaller size since it absorbs more water than regular towels.

•       First Aid -- suggestion: bring a lightweight ‘starter kit’ & buy things as needed at Farmacias

•       Earplugs -- especially needed if staying at albergues -- snoring can be loud! 

•       Small illuminator/flashlight -- handy for using the bathroom at night in albergues; may want to bring a headlamp if planning on walking in the dark.

•       Guidebook(s) -- Camino apps are available too. 

•       Walking sticks -- sticks take pressure off feet & legs legs and help to keep your balance on uneven surfaces. 

•       Rain gear -- poncho or rain shell (jacket)/pants; will need rain cover for pack if it doesn't come with one, or you have a poncho & it doesn't cover the pack.

•       Phone, charger cords, adapter/converter -- if your electrical appliances convert to 220V (used in Spain), then adapters are needed for outlets; if appliances are only for 110V (used in the U.S.), then bring a converter.

•       Misc. -- includes what’s essential to take & also 'luxury items' (don't need but want to take), such as medications (take in original container), vitamins, iPad, camera, extra pair of eyeglasses, extra shoelaces, needle & thread, journal, sketchbook, elastic wraps, safety pins, rubber bands, etc.

Gear includes around 6 pounds of clothes

Shown are 3 T-shirts (ultra light), 2 button-up shirts, 2 pants (one capri style), 1 skirt, 1 pair of sleeping shorts, 1 long sleeve T-shirt, liner socks, quarter-zip fleece top, & hats (one for the trail, one for sightseeing) -- more clothes might be added if walking in cooler months. Not shown are rain gear (shell & poncho) & undergarments.

The Pilgrim PouchTM

Something else included in my gear is the Pilgrim Pouch, a small and lightweight carry bag I created to hold essentials. Follow along the Pilgrim Pouch's adventures.

Most popular guidebook for English speakers: on Amazon, bookstores, etc.

•       A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino deSantiago, John Brierley 

Camino forum: excellent for answers to questions

•       Camino de Santiago forum -- managed by Ivar Rekve; check out Ivar's store, Casa Ivar 

Camino organizations/information websites:

•       American Pilgrims on the Camino – national association with regional chapters; can receive credentials from them  

•       Confraternity of St. James (in England) -- info & guides of various routes 

Camino route info:

•       Gronze.com -- website with maps & info on various routes, albergues, etc. (use Google translator for English)

Camino books:  a few of the many available

•       The Pilgrimage, Paulo Coelho

•       Off the Road, Jack Hitt (loosely inspired characters in The Way film)

•       Steps Out of Time: One Woman's Journey on the Camino, Katherine B. Soper

•       Travels With My Donkey, Tim Moore (British humor)

•       Following the Milky Way: A Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, Elyn Aviva (1980s account of walking the Camino) 

•       Camino Chronicle, Susan Alcorn (with link to Camino/backpack newsletter)

•       The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook, David M. Gitlitz & Linda Kay Davidson (a seminal book on Camino art & architecture)

•       The Road to Santiago, Michael Jacobs

•       The Roads to Santiago: The Landscapes and Architecture of the World’s Greatest Pilgrim Route, Derry Brabbs

•       Walking Guide to the Camino de Santiago History Culture Architecture, Gerald Kelly

Books about pilgrimage:
*    The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker's Guide to Making Travel 
       Sacred, Phil Cousineau
*   To Be a Pilgrim: The Medieval Pilgrimage Experience, 
       Sarah Hopper
*   The Age of Pilgrimage: The Medieval Journey to God, 
       Jonathan Sumption

Camino films, etc.:

•       The Way, starring Martin Sheen  

•       Walking the Camino: Six Ways toSantiago (documentary) -- by filmmaker Lydia Smith 

•       Wayfaring: A Jaunt Along the Camino deSantiago (documentary) -- by comic/hiker/filmmaker Scott Herriott

•       Rick Steves’ travel show featuring Northern Spain & the Camino 

Tips/misc.:

•       Bring small containers of shampoo, toothpaste, etc.; buy refills in Spain.

•       To prevent blisters, consider bringing Vaseline (non-petroleum available) or Hike Goo; smear over feet before putting on socks.

•       For “hot spots” while walking, try moleskin or Compeed to stop blisters from forming (Compeed available online or in Europe; equivalent available at REI).

•       If you’re unable to carry a backpack, there are van services available that can transport packs to albergue destinations (7-10 Euros per transport).

•       Packages (unloaded gear, luggage, etc.) can be mailed to Ivar Rekve at his Camino de Santiago forum office; for info check out Casa Ivar.

•       Spain's postal service, Correos, also offers luggage service & backpack transport. 

•       In Spain, municipal albergues are first-come, first-serve; private albergues usually take reservations (can call/email/book through site such as Booking.com); in France, reservations can be made at most walker hostels, called “gîte d'étapes” (or just “gîtes”).

•       If you prefer tour/guided type travel, there are travel companies located in the U.S. and abroad that coordinate Camino trips & can organize self-guided segments of the Camino; check reviews when considering a company.