The Camino de Santiago is also known as the way of St James. It is a Catholic pilgrimage route to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in north-western Spain. Legend has it that the bones of the apostle St James were brought by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain and are buried under the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino trail has been an important Christian pilgrimage route for over 1000 years and was considered to be one of the three pilgrimage routes on which all sins could be forgiven.
There are many routes to Santiago de Compostela, starting from a variety of points, from as far away as Belgium to as close as 100km from Santiago. Traditionally the route starts when you leave home.
The most popular route is the Camino Frances which Enda and Jerard walked last year. This year they are walking the Chemins de Saint-Jacques as it is known in France or by Via Podiensis it’s Latin name. The Chemins (path) is also known as the GR65, one of France’s grand walks. It starts in Le Puy-en-Velay ending in St Jean Pied de Port, where last years Camino Frances started. The Chemins is 760 km, slightly shorter, but reputedly a little more difficult. Fewer pilgrims walk this route and accommodation is more sparse.