Walking a pilgrimage alone: tips for travelling without company

In short: Many women walk the Way of St James alone, and the big routes are considered busy. The same precautions help as on any other trip: share your location, save the emergency number and listen to your instincts.

There is a saying you often hear around the Way of St James: you set off alone, but you never arrive alone. In fact, many pilgrims travel without company, and few of them stay on their own for long. If you start alone, you walk at your own pace and decide each day when to stop.

How safe is it?

The big routes in Spain and Portugal are considered safe because so many people walk them. On remote routes such as St Paul Trail you need more preparation and an offline map.

Simple habits make you safer. Share your daily plan with someone at home, and save the emergency number 112 and your insurance details. Walk during the day where you can, and trust your instincts: if a person or a section of the path makes you uncomfortable, wait for the next group or go into a bar.

Dealing with loneliness

The first few days can feel long. That is normal. Almost everyone quickly finds company in the albergue, and a shared dinner is often all it takes. A few phrases of English or Spanish help a lot.

You are also free to keep to yourself. Many pilgrims walk alone in the morning and meet the same acquaintances again in the evening. Nobody expects you to talk all day.

What changes without company

You carry everything yourself, including the decisions. There is nobody to compare stamps with you or book the accommodation. In return, you can simply stay an extra day in a place you like. You will find a list of the most important things in our article on the Way of St James for beginners.