Camino Tours for Beginners | Camino Tours

Camino for Beginners

Highlights

Hike one of the world's most iconic pilgrimage trails at your own pace
Choose the best Camino de Santiago route for your fitness and goals
Stay in handpicked guesthouses and small hotels along the way
We handle luggage transfers, accommodations, and route planning for you
Flexible start dates - travel solo, as a couple, or with a small group

The Camino de Santiago has been drawing hikers to Spain for over a thousand years. Pilgrims, adventurers, and curious first-timers from across the world have all made the journey - and most will tell you it changed them in ways they didn't expect.

But here's the thing: the Camino isn't one route. It's a network of ancient trails, each with its own character, difficulty level, and rewards. Picking the right one as a beginner makes all the difference between a trip you'll treasure and one that leaves you with blisters and regrets.

That's where we come in. Macs Adventure has been arranging Camino hiking trips for over 20 years. We know these routes inside out - the terrain, the best stopping points, where to eat, when to go, and how to pace yourself if this is your first long-distance hike. Whether you're chasing the famous yellow arrows of the Camino Francés or the quieter coastline of the Camino Portugués Coastal Way, we'll get you there ready, supported, and confident.

Your Camino. Your pace. Our expertise behind every step.

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Our Tour Types

Camino Francés

Length: ~500 miles (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela) - or join from Sarria for the classic 100km finish. Typical duration: 7–57 days depending on your starting point and trip style. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Camino Portugués - Traditional & Inland Way

Length: ~400 miles (Lisbon to Santiago) or ~156 miles (Porto to Santiago). Typical duration: 7–33 days. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Camino Portugués Coastal Way

Length: ~178 miles (Porto to Santiago, coastal variation). Typical duration: 7–22 days. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Camino del Norte

Length: ~500 miles (Irún to Santiago). Typical duration: 7–42 days full route, or section walks available. Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Camino Primitivo

Length: ~192 miles (Oviedo to Santiago) Typical duration: 16 days Difficulty: Challenging

Stories from Experts & Adventurers

Alison Bembridge

Camino Expert, Macs Adventure

Start with the Camino Francés from Sarria or the Camino Portugués from Porto.

For most first-time Camino hikers, I tell them the same thing: start with the Camino Francés from Sarria or the Camino Portugués from Porto. Both give you the full emotional experience of arriving in Santiago - without the physical demands of a 30-day route. Save the Primitivo for your second or third trip, when you really know what you're letting yourself in for.

The Ultimate Guide to the Camino de Santiago

Discover the ancient pilgrimage routes that lead to the shrine of the Apostle Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Each route offers unique charm, challenges, and unforgettable experiences. Decide for yourself which journey is right for you.
Hiking the Camino de Santiago

Every year, thousands embark on various routes to hike to Santiago de Compostela. A deep spiritual sense accompanies this journey, whether you seek it or not. Meeting fellow pilgrims, listening to their stories, and sharing your experience alongside them makes a Camino tour a transformative event.
Everything you need to know about the Camino

Rachel and Ewan discuss the key aspects of hiking the Camino de Santiago. While there are more in-depth videos available on each of the topics, this is an excellent starting point of what it will be like to hike the Camino Frances.
What to pack for the Camino?

One of the crucial things people consider when hiking the Camino is what to pack. While there are some essential items, most people aim to minimize their load. At Macs we transfer your luggage for you which allows you to pack whatever you prefer!
How to reach the Camino?

How do you get to Sarria? How do you return from Leon? With numerous starting and ending points, we thought it would be useful to create a video that provides you with all these details. You no longer have to worry about transportation, it is all explained here.
How many hiking days do I need?

With a trek that stretches the entire northern region of Spain, it's understandable to expect a variety of different itineraries on this route. In this video, we discuss the number of days it typically takes to hike the Camino. We also explore all the different ways you can divide the stages up.

Why Macs

Reasons to believe in Macs Adventure:

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Around Since 2003

We’re still founder led & the world’s number one self-guided operator with mountains of experience.

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Plus, with multiple British Travel Awards, you know you're in good hands.

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We’re a proud B Corp, committed to sustainable travel & high social & environmental standards.

Key Tips for Beginners

Daily Distances
Most Camino stages run between 12 -18 miles. As a beginner, don't feel pressure to match experienced pilgrims. Start with shorter stages (10 - 12 miles) and build over the first few days.

What to Pack
Pack light. Every ounce matters after mile 10. The golden rule: if you're unsure whether you need it, leave it. Macs handles your main luggage transfers between accommodations each day, so you only carry a light daypack on the trail.

Getting to the Camino
Most travelers fly into Madrid or Lisbon (for the Portugués routes) or Pamplona/Bilbao (for the Francés). Direct flights from New York, Chicago, and Miami are common. We include a detailed logistics guide with every trip, covering your arrival city, local trains and buses to your starting point, and return travel from Santiago.

Essential Preparation
The best training for the Camino is simply walking. Build up your daily distance over 8 - 12 weeks before departure - start with 5 miles and work up to 15+ on weekends. Do your long training walks in the shoes you'll actually wear on the trail.

The Pilgrim's Passport (Credential del Peregrino)
The Pilgrim's Passport - is the official document of the Camino. You collect stamps (sellos) from churches, cafés, and pilgrim hostels along the way. Present it at the Pilgrim Office in Santiago with at least 2 stamps per day as proof of your journey, and you'll receive the Compostela - the official certificate of completion.
Best Time to Go

Spring (April - June): Our top recommendation for beginners. The weather is warm but manageable - typically 60–70°F - trails are in great condition, wildflowers are out across Galicia, and the routes feel alive without the summer crowds. May is the sweet spot: long daylight hours, reliable weather, and a real buzz on the trail.

Summer (July - August): Hot - especially on the Meseta of the Camino Francés, where temperatures can hit 90°F+ with very little shade. The routes are at their busiest, which means more pilgrim camaraderie but also more competition for beds. Experienced hikers manage it well, but for beginners, summer heat adds real difficulty.

Fall (September - October): A close second to spring. Cooler temperatures return, crowds thin out, and the light in Galicia in October is genuinely special. September is excellent if you want a balance of good weather and fewer fellow pilgrims.

Camino Route Comparison

Route	Length	Difficulty	Best For	Crowd Level	Duration (from key start)
Camino Francés (from Sarria)	~100km	Easy-Moderate	First-timers, families	High	7 days
Camino Francés (full route)	~800km	Moderate	Committed hikers	Very High	28–35 days
Camino Portugués (Porto)	~240km	Easy-Moderate	Beginners, couples, seniors	Moderate	12–14 days
Camino Portugués Coastal	~220km	Easy-Moderate	Scenery lovers, couples	Low-Moderate	9–12 days
Camino del Norte	~825km	Moderate-Strenuous	Fit beginners, adventurers	Low	28–35 days
Camino Primitivo	~320km	Strenuous	Experienced hikers	Very Low	12–17 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Camino route is the easiest?
The Camino Francés from Sarria and the Camino Portugués from Porto are considered the most manageable Camino de Santiago routes for beginners. Both have excellent trail infrastructure, gentle terrain for the most part, and flexible stage lengths. The Sarria route is the shortest full option at around 100km - enough to earn your Compostela.

What is the best Camino route for first-timers?
It depends on your time, fitness, and what you're looking for. If you have 7-10 days, start from Sarria on the Camino Francés. If you have 12–14 days and want more variety, the Camino Portugués from Porto is excellent. Both are well-marked, well-supported, and well-suited for first-time Camino hikers.

What's the difference between the Camino Francés and Camino Portugués for beginners?
The Camino Francés is the world's most famous Camino route - longer, busier, and with the best trail infrastructure. The Camino Portugués is quieter, slightly shorter from Porto, and offers a gentler introduction for beginners who prefer a less crowded experience.
Alternatively, Consider...

Not sure the Camino is right for you yet? Or looking for something different entirely? Here are some other long-distance routes that share the Camino spirit:

Via Francigena - The ancient pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome, crossing France, Switzerland, and Italy. A longer, more varied multi-week adventure with similar infrastructure to the Camino.

Kumano Kodo, Japan - Japan's sacred pilgrimage trail network through the forested Kii Peninsula. Remote, spiritual, and unlike anything in Europe.

Biking the Camino Portugués - Prefer two wheels to two feet? The Camino Portugués is one of the most bikeable Camino routes, and we arrange fully supported self-guided biking trips along the same route.