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The Spiritual Variant (or Variante Espiritual in Spanish) is a set of optional stages that you can take after you reach Spain on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.
Instead of going inland and straight to Santiago de Compostela, the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino takes you on a detour back to the Spanish coast. Pilgrims can then choose to either take a boat ride or walk back to Padrón.
On the way, you’ll walk through beautiful forests with ancient petroglyphs, along small rivers with historic mills, and over the highest hill on the entire Portuguese Camino. Many pilgrims consider these stages to be among the most beautiful, most challenging, and most meaningful of the entire route.
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Learn more in our full planning guide: Step-By-Step Planning Guide
Spiritual Variant Map
We started our map of the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino in the town of Pontevedra. Strictly speaking, the route itself starts about four kilometers after you leave Pontevedra, but most pilgrims choose to stay in town.
Likewise, the trail rejoins the Camino Portugués in Pontecesures, just two kilometers before the popular stopping point of Padrón. Since the church of Santiago in Padrón holds the famous stone pillar, we decided to end our map there.
While most pilgrims navigate using apps such as the Buen Camino or Camino Ninja app, we found that they sometimes lead you on weird detours. As you walk to the small town of Combarro, our map takes you on an alternative route that stays next to the water.
Distance and Elevation*
Distance: 79.9 kilometers / 49.6 miles
Elevation gained: 1365 meters / 4478 feet
Elevation lost: 1379 meters / 4524 feet
*Distances are estimates. Learn why on our methodology page.
What is the Spiritual Variant?
The Spiritual Variant is an optional route of three stages that you walk between Pontevedra and Padrón on the Camino Portuguese. Instead of following the standard route from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, you go back to the coast and into the hills.
On this stunning walk, you follow in the footsteps of the disciples of Saint James. The last day even has you sailing down the river Ulla, the same route taken by his disciples when they were transporting his remains to Santiago de Compostela.
Shortly after you leave the standard route of the Camino, you’ll notice that the Spiritual Variant feels different. Stages are a little more remote, the scenery is more impressive, and the terrain becomes more challenging than anything you’ve seen in Spain or Northern Portugal.
The Legend of St James
The ties between the apostle Saint James and Spain have been around for a long time. Besides being the patron saint of Spain, the discovery of the apostle’s remains turned the city of Santiago de Compostela into a major pilgrimage destination.
According to tradition, Saint James was buried in Galicia after he miraculously arrived in a stone boat. After he was martyred in Jerusalem, two of his followers placed his remains in a small boat, which was then guided to Spain by angels. For a long time, the place of his burial was lost.
In the 9th century, the local bishop rediscovered the apostle’s remains after a hermit told him about the strange stars he had seen. Recognising this as a true miracle, the bishop followed the stars and eventually discovered the tomb of the apostle.
On the boat ride on the Spiritual Variant, you follow the same route taken by the stone boat before it landed at the stone pillar in Padrón.
Why Walk the Variante Espiritual Route?
Despite being longer and more challenging, the Spiritual Variant is a popular choice for many pilgrims.
From my personal experience, there are two main reasons why I think that it’s worth considering the Spiritual Variant if you’re walking the Camino.
Stunning Scenery
When I was walking the Camino Portugués, I often found myself wishing that the route was more remote. Although the Central Route features really cute towns, you never seem to stray far away from built-up areas.
The three stages of the Spiritual Variant offer some of the most beautiful surroundings of the entire Camino Portugues. As you’re walking, you’ll see beautiful forests and beaches as well as some of the most beautiful towns on the Camino.
Fewer Pilgrims
These days, the Camino de Santiago is becoming more and more popular, and the Camino Portugués is no exception to this. Every year, close to 100,000 people walk the Portuguese Camino, and the number is only expected to go up.
Although many of your fellow pilgrims opt to walk the Spiritual Variant Camino route, it’s still a relatively small group that does so. Most of the route is a scenic and peaceful walk where you’re much more likely to have the trail to yourself.
Keep in mind that the majority of people walk the Camino Portugués in the months between May and September. If you’re planning on walking the Camino in those months, adjust your expectations accordingly.
Planning the Spiritual Variant Route
While you can take on a drifting approach on the main route of the Portuguese Camino, it’s better to plan out your stages on the Spiritual Variant.
The difficulty of the route is significantly higher than the other stages, especially if you’re coming from the Litoral Way.
How Many Days?
While most pilgrims do the Spiritual Variant in three days, some pilgrims split the first day in half. I highly recommend looking at the stages and deciding for yourself if you want to do the same.
On the first day, you’ll walk past several locations that deserve a visit. There is the beautiful monastery of Poio as well as the small town of Combarro, which deserve a visit. In addition, the views of the nearby bay and coastal towns will make you want to take breaks to take it all in!
Should you Book in Advance?
While there are plenty of accommodation options in Vilanova de Arousa and Padrón, options are limited in Armenteira. For the most authentic experience, consider a night at one of the monasteries on the route, but keep in mind that they are popular with both pilgrims and locals.
When we walked there in March, we only saw two other pilgrims on the road. We also thought that since peak season was still far away, we would have no problem finding a bed for the night. Imagine our surprise when we heard that the entire Monastery at Armenteira was booked up!
While we eventually found a place for the night with the help of the lady at the monastery, it clearly shows that you need to book things in advance here.
Learn more in our guide: Should You Pre-Book Accommodation On the Camino Portugués?
From the Central Route
If you follow the standard Central Route of the Portuguese Way, you start the Spiritual Variant on day eight.
Combining the Central Route with the Spiritual Variant means you get the best of both worlds. You get all the forests, vineyards, and historic towns of the Central Route, as well as the stunning coastal landscapes of the Spiritual Variant.
Also, the climb might come as less of a shock, as the ascent to Alto da Portela is very similar. In fact, I thought that the surface on the Central Route made the climb more difficult!
Not all pilgrims opt to stay in Pontevedra, though, and some choose to stay in Arcade. Should you choose to start your first day before Pontevedra, then you may want to plan an extra day to walk the Variante Espiritual route.
From the Coastal Route
Like the Central Route, the Variant Route starts in Pontevedra. Coming from the Coastal Route, you start the Spiritual Variant on day nine.
As you walk from Vigo to Redondela and onwards to Pontevedra, you have a good idea of what the beginning of the first stage will be like. This time, however, I found that the views are even more beautiful!
If you’re walking the Senda Litoral, keep in mind that the Spiritual Variant is different from the coastal path. The climb after Combarro, as well as the walking surfaces on day two, La Ruta de Pedra e da Agua, are significantly more challenging than earlier parts of the Camino. Especially if you chose the Litoral Way for its lack of difficulty, really consider the terrain carefully.
Amenities
Since the Spiritual Route is more remote than other stages, it can sometimes feel like amenities are scarce. Especially after you leave Redondela, you will find few places to eat and rest until you reach the town of Combarro. Because this small town is a tourist hotspot, it comes with plenty of cafes and restaurants.
After Combarro, you will have to wait until you reach Armenteira. As soon as you walk into town, you will see the restaurant Bar O Comercio, which offers pilgrim menus as well as regular dishes. Make sure to walk in and check the opening times when you arrive, as they can be confusing. Just because the bar is open doesn’t mean the kitchen is open!
Fortunately, the second stage is a lot more generous. You will find plenty of amenities spread out after the river walk and along the rest of the stage. Likewise, the towns of Pontecesures and Padrón are standard pilgrim stops and have plenty of places to stay, eat, and resupply.
Stage 1: Pontevedra to Armenteira
The first stage of the Spiritual Variant starts in the historical centre of Pontevedra, just like the normal stage to Caldas de Reis.
However, within an hour of leaving town, you’ll find yourself at a T-intersection. Instead of following the familiar yellow arrows across the train tracks, you turn left onto the Spiritual Variant.
From here on, you’re looking out for the metal Variante Espiritual signs. Keep in mind that they are a lot harder to spot!
To walk the Spiritual Variant, follow the main Camino Route out of town. On my walk, there was a lot of construction, so we couldn’t follow the official route. However, there are plenty of ways to rejoin the Camino, and you’ll be fine as long as you can find your way back to the Rúa da Santiña.
After a short walk out of town, you come to the point where the normal Camino Route goes right and the Variante Espiritual goes left.
The facade of the Iglesia de la Peregrina in Pontevedra, Spain 
A trail marker for the Spiritual Variant (Variante Espiritual) in Pontevedra along the Camino Portugués 
Map and signage for the Variante Espiritual in Pontevedra 
Part of the trail of the Spiritual Variant in Pontevedra 
The Capilla de San Paio de O Freixo in Pontevedra, Spain along the Portuguese Camino 
A Barcelos rooster statue along the Portuguese Camino de Santiago in Pontevedra 
The Cruceiro do Freixo along the Portuguese Camino de Santiago in Pontevedra 
Blooming flowers with a yellow Camino arrow on the Spiritual Variant in Pontevedra, Spain Blooming flowers with a yellow Camino arrow on the Spiritual Variant in Pontevedra, Spain A pilgrim sitting on a stone wall with a backpack that has a Camino shell patch on it 
A palm tree along the Camino Portuguese 
A pilgrim walking up to the Igrexa de San Pedro de Campañó in Pontevedra, Spain 
Signage for the Petróglifo das Forcadas 
Petroglifo Outeiro Do Cribo, a Bronze Age petroglyph that is a slight detour away from the Camino Portugués Spiritual Variant 
A sheep along the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago 
A Camino shell and arrow sign that says “Variante Espiritual” 
A yellow Camino de Santiago arrow with a pilgrim walking behind it in Poio 
The Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués crossing over a highway in Poio, Spain 
The Mosteiro de San Xoán de Poio along the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués Exterior facade of the Mosteiro de San Xoán de Poio showing Saint James with his staff 
Interior mosaics at the Mosteiro de San Xoán de Poio depicting saints 
The Parque da Memoria along the Variante Espiritual do Camiño de Santiago A Variante Espiritual Camino waymarker along the Parque da Memoria 
The Cruceiro Praia do Padrón in Combarro 
The Cruceiro Praia do Padrón in Combarro 
A close up of the Cruceiro Praia do Padrón in Combarro 
A pilgrim walking through the streets of Combarro along the Variante Espiritual 
A pilgrim walking through the streets of Combarro along the Variante Espiritual 
View over Combarro, looking at the Ría de Pontevedra 
A sign post in Combarro 
A pilgrim walking past a scallop shell waymarker in Combarro along the Portuguese Way of Saint James 
A cooler for pilgrims in Combarro covered in Camino stickers and messages A pilgrim walking up the biggest climb on the Camino Portugués towards the Miradoiro do Loureiro 
Signage with information about the Miradoiro do Loureiro 
The high point of the Camino Portugués: the Miradoiro do Loureiro 
Viewpoint at the high point of the Camino Portugués: the Miradoiro do Loureiro 
A pilgrim’s backpack at the Miradoiro do Loureiro
The Start of the Spiritual Variant
For the first few kilometers, you make your way into the hills on backcountry roads. As you’re climbing, you can see some beautiful views of Pontevedra across the water.
Although the road is asphalt initially, the first day has you walk on anything from gravel to dirt, which makes for a very nice and varied day.
The Monastery at Poio is a highlight of the day, as well as a beautiful spot for a break and deserves a visit. Inside, you can wander around the monastery with its stunning mosaics and patios.
The monastery also features a guest house where you can spend the night if you want. If you plan on visiting, keep in mind that the monastery is open to visitors until 1 pm.
Combarro
Often listed as one of the most beautiful fishing villages in Galicia, the small coastal town of Combarro lays on the charm pretty thick.
On our way, we chose to forgo the Camino for a little while and instead followed the road along the waterline. It has a recently constructed sidewalk that makes for a peaceful walk into town.
As you approach, you can see Combarro’s famous hórreos (traditional grain stores) as well as the stone crosses that the town is known for. The benches next to Cruceiro Praia do Padrón, one of the many stone crosses, are a great place to take in the beautiful views of the hórreos hanging over the water.
Once you’re in town, you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants with stunning views over the river as well as great food to discover.
The Steepest Hill of the Camino Portugués
In Combarro, you start the most difficult section of the Variante Espiritual as you start the steady climb up a steep hill where the small town of Armenteira awaits you on the other side.
If you missed your opportunity for refreshments in Combarro, you can get one soon after you leave town. There’s a bus stop that’s been turned into a donativo-based pilgrim rest area where you can get cold drinks. Great news if you’re walking in summer!
The climb is long, but I also found the forest walking to be one of my favorite sections on the Camino. It’s the only part of the Portuguese Route that feels truly remote. For a while, it’s just you and your thoughts.
For most of the day, the route consists of easy terrain. Although there are stretches of dirt paths, the majority of the climb is spent walking on quiet car roads. Since the terrain isn’t challenging, the climb is more a slow burn than a rough scramble. Once you reach the top, it’s about an hour to Armenteira.
I found the route confusing in the last section to Armenteira. The signage was nonexistent, and there were several turns to make without any guidance. Also, when going down, be careful as the terrain is very uneven and the descent is steep.
Arriving in Armenteira
The small town of Armenteira is dominated by its monastery, a large complex with a courtyard and a church.
Despite having only about 750 inhabitants, the town is relatively rich in pilgrim infrastructure. Besides staying at the monastery, pilgrims can stay at the local albergue or choose to stay in one of the many guesthouses in the area.
There is no supermarket, so you will either have to bring your own food or eat out at one of the many restaurants.
Stage 2: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa
A pilgrim walking in a pedestrian lane along the Spiritual Variant in Meis Historic water mill along the Rego da Armenteira in Meis along the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués 
Historic mill overgrown with forest plants in Meis along the Spiritual Variant of the Camino Portugués 
Grindstone covered in moss in the forest of Meis 
Grindstone and small mill building covered in moss in the forest of Meis 
The Rego da Armenteira 
The Muiño do Trinta along the Variante Espiritual do Camiño de Santiago 
Small waterfall along the Rego da Armenteira 
A historic mill along the Rego da Armenteira 
A moss-covered grindstone in Meis 
Small waterfall along the Rego da Armenteira Sun shining over the Rego da Armenteira 
Ferns in the forest in Meis along the Spiritual Variant 
A pilgrim walking alongside the Rego da Armenteira 
A pilgrim walking alongside the Rego da Armenteira 
Signage along the Spiritual Variant describing historic landmarks 
Rock carvings from the early Middle Ages along the Spiritual Variant in Meis 
Rock carvings from the early Middle Ages along the Spiritual Variant in Meis 
Two pilgrims walking on the Santa Marta Bridge over the Rio Umia along the Spiritual Variant 
Signage along the Spiritual Variant 
Two pilgrims walking along the Variante Espiritual along the Praia do Castelete on the Atlantic Ocean 
The Praia do Castelete on the Atlantic Ocean Two pilgrims walking on the Pasarela de O Terrón over the Ría de Arousa along the Spiritual Variant A pilgrim wearing a Saint James scallop shell on his backpack looking out over the Ría de Arousa
The second stage of the Spiritual Variant takes you on the most scenic river walk of the entire Camino Portuguese.
As you leave Armenteira and its beautiful monastery, you start the famous Route of Rock and Water. Before you leave, make sure you collect your stamp at the monastery and visit its beautiful church!
La Ruta da Pedra e da Agua
Next is the most memorable section of the Spiritual Variant, the Rock and Water route. This route is about 8 km long and follows the Armenteira River. On your way, you’ll see dozens of ruins of old watermills and sawmills that were powered by the water, as well as plenty of little waterfalls and rapids.
The sounds of the river combined with birdsong provide the soundtrack for the day. Add the evocative ruins of the mills and it’s not hard to see why this is such a popular stage! I especially loved the almost fairytale-like feeling of the forest here.
The famous route starts behind the Bar O Comercio, and although it looks like you’re getting on the big EP-9507, it quickly turns into a small path that follows the river.
As you walk along the river, keep an eye out for the tree roots in the ground, as they can get very slippery on rainy days.
If you’re worried about the difficulty of this stage, then you’re in luck. At the very beginning of the route, you can choose to take a less challenging route. Although one is clearly more scenic, both routes make for a very pleasant walk.
More Beautiful Forests and Vineyards
For most of the day, the Camino is never far away from water. Following the river, the route turns into a lovely walk past vineyards and through even more lush green forests. Especially in spring and summer, the area is incredibly vibrant.
This region is known for its white wine (the Albariño grapes), and you can try it at one of the many rest stops along the way.
The second half of this day is a lot easier than the first. Most of the day is spent on gravel paths and quiet roads with very few difficult stretches. Although this section is largely flat, there are two very minor hills to climb before you reach the coastline.
Following the Coast to Vilanova de Arousa
The last part of the stage consists of a very nice walk along sandy beaches as you make your way into town. I really enjoyed the views of the estuary and the surrounding coastal towns as you get closer to Vilanova de Arousa. You will also see lots of traditional bateas (little wooden platforms used for farming mussels) scattered all over the bay.
After only a few kilometers, you reach the footbridge that takes you into the charming town of Vilanova de Arousa, which has everything the weary pilgrim needs.
One of my favorite spots was right across from the bridge. At the local taverna Pé de Cuba, you can enjoy a drink while watching the golden rays of the sunset over the estuary.
Stage 3: Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures
After two long days of walking, the final stage of the Spiritual Variant consists of a boat trip, after which you rejoin the main route of the Camino in Pontecesures.
Like its more famous brother, the Camino Frances, this section of the Portuguese route is deeply connected to the medieval pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
A pilgrim walking on the road next to the Ría de Arousa in Vilanova de Arousa 
Camino de Santiago signage in Vilanova de Arousa 
Cloudy sunrise over the Ría de Arousa in Vilanova de Arousa 
Porto Xacobeo signage in Vilanova de Arousa 
Boat launch at the Ría de Arousa in Vilanova de Arousa 
Estación Maritima, Mar de Santiago 
The boat ride of the Spiritual Variant on the Ría Ulla 
View from the boat ride of the Spiritual Variant on the Ría Ulla 
View from the boat ride of the Spiritual Variant on the Ría Ulla 
Cruceiro Xacobeo-Punta Grandoiro on the Ría Ulla 
Punta Patiño, Calvario on the Ría Ulla 
Torres do Oeste on the Ría Ulla 
Torres do Oeste on the Ría Ulla, which were built to defend the area from vikings 
Replica of a drakkar (a viking longship) on the Ría Ulla
The Boat Journey
The most memorable part of the stage is the boat ride from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures. During a roughly two-hour boat ride, a modern vessel takes you along the Translatio sea route — the legendary maritime path followed by the stone boat carrying the remains of Saint James.
Once you’re on the beautiful Ria de Arousa, the spiritual significance of this stage becomes clear very quickly. For the entire maritime journey, the river is flanked by ancient stone crosses to sanctify the route. For me, it was this combination of natural beauty and pilgrimage history that made the boat journey a part to remember.
The trip on the river is the only one of its kind. While stone crosses are a familiar sign if you’ve done the Camino Frances or the Central Route of the Camino Portuguese, the Translatio route is the only maritime route in the world to have this.
Arriving in Pontecesures
After an hour or two, the boat drops you off in the town of Pontecesures, where you rejoin the Camino. Although there is an albergue, I found that the town has little to offer, and most pilgrims will simply walk the 2 kilometers to Padrón.
Although there are no yellow arrows at the point where they drop you off, finding the Camino is easy. Just follow the river towards the bridge from where the familiar arrows pop up again. This will take you to Padrón, where you can find plenty of amenities and places to stay.
Get more info in our Padrón itinerary: Padrón to Santiago
The Boat Ride
It’s important to make a reservation for the boat journey to Pontecesures as the boats fill up pretty quickly. We did it in March, and our boat was completely full even though the real season hadn’t started yet.
The trip itself takes about two hours and leaves at 8 am. On your way, you’ll see the stone crosses as well as cool highlights such as the ruins of the Torres de Oeste, a defensive structure built to defend the area against raids by Vikings and Saracens. The small chapel next door is a further illustration of the importance of the route as it was dedicated to Saint James.
There are several companies in Vilanova de Arousa that all follow the same path. We took one called La Barca del Pelegrino, and we had a very nice experience.
Important: These boats will not always leave on time. Consider this in your planning.
Can you walk back to Pontecesures?
If you want to complete the entire journey to Santiago de Compostela on foot, you have the option to walk next to the Ulla River to Pontecures.
Although the path goes through the same beautiful scenery, it involves walking stretches on busy roads that don’t always have sidewalks. Based on what I have heard from pilgrims who did it, it’s not a very good experience, which is why I don’t recommend it.
Accommodations
Whether you’re looking for an albergue or something a bit more special, you will find some truly memorable accommodations along the Spiritual Variant.
Although you have many options when it comes to dividing the Variante Espiritual route, I only list accommodations in the three main stages. Places like Barrantes are left out for now.
The Monastery at Armenteira
Spending a night in the Santa Maria monastery is a truly unique experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. The sisters offer daily pilgrim blessings during Vespers at 7 pm, and pilgrims can attend Mass as well as other services.
It’s important to note here that the monastery doesn’t accept reservations for the entire year. Most notably, the months of July and August, as well as the week of Easter, are exempt. You can find all the information for pilgrims on their website, as well as further details on check-in time, etc.
Even if you’re not staying there, the monastery is worth visiting. The nuns have a reputation for selling quality craft goods such as soaps and oils.
Vila Nova de Arousa
After the scarcity of Armenteira, it’s a relief to arrive in the town of Vilanova de Arousa. This town has plenty of affordable places to stay, and they’re all within a few minutes from the boat to Pontecesures.
The Albergue Variante Espiritual has 25 beds and is a donativo (donation-based). It is open all year to anyone who can present an updated pilgrim passport. The lack of a kitchen is no problem as there are plenty of places to eat in town.
For a slightly more comfortable option, consider Hotel Bradomin. I was able to find a private room with breakfast included, less than a 10-minute walk from the docks. This place is a popular choice with pilgrims, and when I was there, the breakfast quickly turned into a communal pilgrim meal!
Herbón Monastery
Located 3 km outside of Padrón, the San Antonio de Herbón Pilgrims’ Hostel offers special accommodation options to pilgrims on their way to Santiago. This small pilgrim hospital is situated in the 14th-century Hebrón Monastery, and staying here lets you catch a glimpse of what medieval pilgrimage was like.
The monastery is donation-based and offers dinner and breakfast. Keep in mind that the monks operate on a first-come, first-served basis. They don’t take reservations, and beds are limited!
How Difficult is the Variante Espiritual Route?
Compared to the other Camino Routes, the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino is significantly more challenging. While this isn’t true for the entire route, some sections are especially tricky.
Walking Surface
I found the uneven surfaces in part of the Rock and Water Route to be the most challenging. The first section involves a pretty steep descent on a rocky surface. In addition, the stretch is riddled with tree roots that become very slippery when wet.
Although the route is worth walking even in heavy rain, be careful and keep your hiking poles or walking sticks at the ready if you’re walking in bad weather.
Elevation
Although the beginning of the Spiritual Variant goes over a few minor hills after you leave Pontevedra, the steep hill after Combarro is no joke.
While I believe that the climb is definitely doable for most pilgrims, I believe you need to be reasonably fit to enjoy it. If you plan on doing the Spiritual Variant after starting in Vigo or Tui, consider putting in some extra training.
Ultimately, training for the Camino isn’t about making it to Santiago. You should be fine as long as you’re in normal shape. For me, training means investing in being able to enjoy the rest of the day after you arrive. Training makes the difference between collapsing on your bunkbed and going out to explore the town.
Stage Length
Fortunately, the stages on the Spiritual Variant aren’t particularly long. Generally, most pilgrims start the route after a few days of walking, so they’re in pretty good shape.
When pilgrims cut the first day in half, they generally do this to have more time in Combarro or because they started walking before Pontevedra.
Despite the climb, the walk from Combarro to Armenteira is only just over 20 km.
Luggage Transfers on the Variante Espiritual Route
Don’t want to carry your pack up the hill? Well, you’re not alone, and the good news is that you don’t have to. Luggage transfers are available throughout the Spiritual Variant, and even the monastery in Armenteira states on their website that they accept it.
However, keep in mind that not all luggage transfer services cover the Spiritual Variant. When booking, make sure to check to avoid disappointment!
Get more info on luggage transfers in our luggage transfer guide.
Buen Camino!
The Spiritual Variant is one of the most beautiful parts of the Portuguese Camino, and I’m sure you’re going to have an amazing walk.
As always, let me be the first one to wish you Buen Camino!
6 Responses
Hi Bart-Jan,
Thank you for your detailed info on the Spiritual Variant. I’m planning my first Camino this fall and found this route very interesting, but I wonder how touch it would be for a woman in her 60s who is barely healthy enough for hiking a hill for a few hours. What kind of shoes do you recommend for this route – mountain boots or trail runners? I’d appreciate if you can share any thoughtful advice.
Thank you.
Yuko
Hi Yuko, the terrain is pretty even so trail runners would be my choice. I have also done the route in flipflops and that was completely fine! The elevation on the Spiritual Variant makes it more challenging than most other stages but there are plenty of places to stop for a break. Make sure to go at your own pace and leave some flexibility to walk shorter stages if you need to.