The Spain St James Way is an ancient pilgrimage route that runs through Europe to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Since its existence, millions of people have walked this route. It is listed by UNESCO and is a national treasure of Spain. The total length of the trail is more than 800 kilometers, but we chose the most colorful section. The route runs along the ocean, through quiet and picturesque towns, meadows, cool forests and ends in the wonderful city of Santiago de Compostela. Here we will be able to obtain an official certificate of passage, breathe in the ocean air that the wind carries, and visit the beautiful Cathedral of St. James. Also, we will be able to do this route with a small backpack, taking advantage of the additional service of carrying backpacks between overnight stays.
We also recommend another route The St James Way - Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela. It's a bit shorter, but no less interesting ;-)
In 18 days we will be able to fully experience all the charms of the country and the maximum privacy from nature.
We do not cancel or shift groups. If the manager approved the purchase of a ticket, you can surely buy it. The hike will not be canceled due to our fault.
Experienced Kuluar teamleaders will accompany the group on all route, will make the trip as safe and unforgettable as possible!
The manager, who will advise you before the trip, thoroughly knows the route and will tell you about it in details!
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97,8% were satisfied.
The St James Way is one of the most famous hiking trails in Europe, which in recent years has been gaining popularity not only among pilgrim pilgrims but also among ordinary tourists who have nothing to do with religion.
The first day, as it always is, is a day of introductions. Meet you at the central bus station in Aviles, the town that is the starting point of the Santiago Way tour. Before the hike, we will send detailed information on how to get there, find the group and not get lost in this city of millions. From the first kilometer to the last, we will walk a trail that has been trampled before us by thousands of feet. And, like true pilgrims, we will stop for rest at local shelters for travelers, called albergues. This is where we will get our real pilgrim passport (credencial), which we will fill every day with new beautiful stamps and stamps of the kilometers traveled. And at the end of the journey, we will be the holders of the Compostela, a certificate attesting to our feat.
The city of Aviles is full of medieval monuments and museums, so we will definitely go to get acquainted with the culture and history of the local people. If we want, we can go to the beach and have a little swim.
Well, pilgrims, are you ready for our big trip? The route today will be along the ocean, so the day will be filled with the sound of waves and the cries of seagulls. The azure waters will wash over the steep cliffs. The old road will lead us to numerous coastal towns where we will have delicious coffee and a local pilgrim's lunch. The St. James Trail is very popular with tourists and pilgrims. Be sure to meet both solo travelers and groups of tourists like us. Everyone is very friendly and smiling. So we start to learn Spanish: "Hola". - hello, "Bien Camino" - have a good trip. We spend the night in the beautiful and sunny town of Muros de Nalon.
Distanse: 20 km
We continue our hiking along the Atlantic coast. We will traverse steep ravines, pass through green pastures, and winding paths further and further away. On the horizon we will see sharp cliffs washed by the ocean. A fresh breeze and, of course, signposts with a seashell sign (symbols of the Santiago Way) are our faithful companions for the day. We spend the night in the provincial town of Soto de Luña.
Distanse: 20 km
In the morning we leave our cozy albergue, say goodbye to the pilgrims with whom we shared the night, and, after a traditional Spanish breakfast and fragrant coffee, we continue our journey. The coast is replaced by the coolness of the trees. The trail passes through deciduous forests that hide small villages where you can take a break from the road, drink cool water and indulge in a variety of seafood. For the night we choose the quiet town of Cadavedo.
Distanse: 24 km
We completely forgot to tell you! :) Along the more than 300 kilometers of the route we will constantly come across monuments of medieval architecture, statues to pilgrims, century-old churches, and friendly pilgrims. Some of the monuments are located in the center of a village, while others are lurking somewhere in the woods or on the very top of the mountain, proudly alone. But they are all unique and beautiful in their own way. After a short day of walking (16 km) we will visit a small fishing town, Loarka, where you can relax in taverns and even taste real cider! But do not overdo it ;)
Distanse: 16 km
Early in the morning we say goodbye to another friendly alberge in the town of Luarca and follow the trail along the coast of the Bay of Biscay. Throughout the day we are accompanied by rural landscapes, green pastures, well-kept fields and flowering meadows, among which there are small villages of the local population. So, advancing in the direction of "shell" signs, we will arrive in the village of Piñera, where we will stay overnight in a spacious albergue on the outskirts of the town.
Distance: 24 km.
Today we are going to Tapia de Casariego, a small but very picturesque town with a population of about 4,000 people. Despite the fact that the town is small, it is very popular for its beaches and golf courses. After all, he is settled right on the shores of the ocean. You can swim in plenty, relax your tired feet, and fall asleep in an albergue with an open window under the sound of the surf ...
Ribadeo - our way along the Santiago Way today is here. This is the town of the famous beaches of the world. Surfers come here to catch the biggest wave. At this beautiful spot our path along the ocean ends, so today we will enjoy it as much as possible. Os Castros is a 430 meters long and 15 meters wide sandy beach. At low tide, it connects to the small island of Das Illas with a narrow strip of sand. Be sure to visit such a unique place. Also we will see the snow-white Illa Pancha lighthouse and walk through the medieval streets of Ribadeo, looking at the Hispanic architecture.
We won't walk much today - 15 km.
Having said goodbye to the ocean, today we hike through shady forests and green fields to the incredibly beautiful town of Lawrensan. Despite its small size (only 63 km2), Lawrence is a godsend for the photographer and any aesthete. Your gaze will stop at every step to catch and capture every corner, every street and path.
We will hike 29 km today.
In the morning we leave for the town of Abadin, nestled in a picturesque valley at the intersection of rivers, surrounded by mountains and endless skies. Our route will take us past the large town of Mondondondo, full of ancient architectural monuments. Throughout the day, the hilly terrain will allow us to fully enjoy the local beauty and fall even more in love with the nature of Spain.
The destination for today is the town of Villalba, with a population of more than 15 thousand people. After we have walked the usual 20 km, we stop at the albergue and go to see the local sights. And there are enough of them here till the end of the day. And how can we do without a pilgrim's dinner, because we have already finished most of the way, and we are on the finish line!
Distanse: 20 km
After waking up, having a good breakfast and collecting our things, we leave the alberge and move to the picturesque town of Baamonde.
We will hike 20 km this day.
In these two days we have a long journey of 40 km. Early in the morning we leave Baamonde and go to the monastery of Sobrado, whose full name is Santa Maria de Sobrado de los Monchés. Founded at the end of the X century, an architectural monument. The road ahead is flat and smooth, without ascents and descents, on a comfortable forest path. So, don't hesitate to put on backpacks and go ahead! If you have energy - we can walk the whole route in one day, and use the second day as reserve for the rest. Or we can split this section in half and stay overnight in an albergue in the town of Miraze.
Distanse for 2 days: 40 km
From Sobrado we go to the town of Arzua, which is popular with tourists on gastronomic tours. And for good reason, because here they make delicious Spanish cheeses. The trail will take us in the shade of the trees, so we can enjoy the silence of the forest and practice jumping over the forest streams.
We will hike 22 km.
Today we are going to the very small but very cozy town of O Pedroso. Our road will be very contrasting: sunny fields will change into cool forests, and vice versa. The landscapes will change and delight the eye with the variety of colors.
We will hike 16 km
Today we end our trek at the final point of our pilgrimage journey, the Cathedral of St. James, in the city of Santiago de Compostella. We put the final stamp on our pilgrim passport and enjoy the views and the local cuisine. Overnight we stay in one of the hostels in this wonderful place. In the evening we are sure to walk through the illuminated streets.
Back home. If you need to go to Barcelona, it takes 8 hours by bus. Then we are on our way back home, with lots of impressions and memories! Everyone has taken something different from this trip: someone discovered the wonderful country of Spain, and someone rediscovered himself and rethink life. Be that as it may, but no one will remain indifferent after passing the Santiago Way
The manager will advise you on equipment, help you choose the best flight, share information on hotels and excursions. You make payments and purchases yourself. If you want the manager to buy a ticket for you, then this is possible, but for extra money, because this is a big responsibility. More in the article: additional services and service fee
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the teamleader has the right to make changes to the route.
For citizens of Ukraine to visit Spain and Portugal sufficient biometric passport, insurance and return ticket (you may be asked these documents at the airport).
Spain is a sunny and warm country. But there is no smooth transition from summer to autumn. Today the sun shines and the heat is +30, but in a week the sky is already covered with clouds and it rains incessantly. Therefore, the dates of the hiking we pick up just at the end of the warm season, when the sun is not so scorching, and the rains are infrequent and short-lived.
Buy good, quality equipment. On this hike you will feel all the advantages of expensive membranes over cheap ones.But it must be of high quality and reliable to withstand the northern rains and winds. On the choice of equipment depends on your comfort and enjoyment of the hike. Good membrane pants and jacket, windproof waterproof tent, and comfortable waterproof boots are a must have in this hike.
After the Spain St James Way, we recommend the following routes:
Fortunately, Barcelona is quite a popular place and it's easy to get there. There are direct flights from Kiev and other cities as well as connecting flights. You should see what is more profitable and comfortable for you - it's faster to get there or to save 50-70 euros. Direct flights are provided by UIA, KLM, Ryanair. Note that most European low-cost airlines do not include luggage in the initial price of the ticket. You must choose a package deal with luggage, or order it as a separate item.
In order to find the most convenient option for the flight, compare prices on aggregator sites, and check them directly with the airlines. Don't be afraid to take a 1-2 day allowance. Sometimes it's better value for money than taking a ticket for the exact dates of the trip, even including accommodation and meals in Spain.
Our recommendations for airline ticketing services can be found in this article.
You need good insurance to participate in the program. Please do not neglect this item. For some participants, it saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for taking out insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hikers"
Food is buyed for the group at local supermarkets. Cooking is done by the teamleader, willing participants can help - he will be grateful. Throughout the route you can eat on your own - there are cafes and restaurants everywhere. On the average it costs 10-15 euros to have a meal. For eating on your own you get the discount of 120 euros. If you want to join the whole group for one or several meals, tell your teamleader beforehand and let him buy some extra food for you. Each meal (no matter breakfast, lunch or dinner) will cost 5 euros.
Food features for vegetarians - if you don't eat meat, be sure to read. We tell you how we will feed and give you a 5% discount on our food.
Spain is a sunny and warm country. But there is no smooth transition from summer to autumn. Today the sun shines and the heat is +30, but in a week the sky is already covered with clouds and it rains incessantly. Therefore, the dates of the campaign pick up just at the end of the warm season, when the sun is not so scorching, and the rains are infrequent and short-lived.
This is no ordinary hike. It is an ancient pilgrim trail. And for hundreds of years, the locals of the towns through which the route passes have built many shelters for wanderers. They are called albergues.
Every year the Camino Way is becoming more and more popular among pilgrims and ordinary tourists. But the number of places in the municipal albergues remains the same and they cannot be booked in advance. Often travelers have to stage a real race to get their place for the night. Needless to say, this is a major inconvenience and reduces the enjoyment of the Trail.
Starting in 2020, we decided to book private albergues in advance for our participants, thus solving the problem of overnight accommodations. You get more comfortable accommodation, a guaranteed place to sleep (no rush during the day crossing), but the cost of private albergues is about twice as much as for municipal albergues. For those who want to book their own lodging, we have made a basic package. But we recommend using the "Optimal" package to take the hassle out of booking and staying with the group.
The total amount of additional expenses not included in the price, will be about 200 euros - depending on how to eat in the cafes and how many souvenirs to buy. In a cafe you can eat for about 10-15 € (at a time). Gourmets will probably want to bring home a variety of cheeses and taste local seafood delicacies, take it into account :) It's advisable to have 100-200 euros in reserve on your card, just in case.
Participants in the "Basic" package have to look for their own accommodation. The average cost of albergues is 15-25€ per night.
Please note: It is not the manager's job to select a separate flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations based on his/her experience and shares the flights of other participants, so that you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want a manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an extra excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
To book a place in the group you need to pay a prepayment of 100 euros. We recommend to do it as early as possible. Methods of payment and conditions of return in case of refusal or descent from the route here. The rest of the sum you mast give to the teamleader at the first day of the program.
