Navigation on a pilgrimage: apps, maps and signposts

In short: Hardly. The waymarks are very frequent. A map matters mainly on remote routes.

On the Camino Francés you need neither a compass nor a map, because the yellow arrows are everywhere. Things look different on quieter routes.

When are waymarks enough?

On the big Camino routes in Spain and Portugal they are usually enough. Stage apps then mainly help with finding albergues and checking distances. On the Camino de Levante, the St Paul Trail or in Norway, though, you should carry a map or a GPS track.

Setting up offline

There isn't reception everywhere. Download maps and tracks in advance, and check at home that everything works. A small power bank will last several days.

Paper as a backup

A slim stage guide weighs little and needs no battery. Feel free to tear out pages you have used, as that saves weight.

Don't look too often

If you only look at the screen, you will miss the walk. Check the route once in the morning and then only when you need to. The rest of the day belongs to the landscape. You will find more on tech and photos in our guides.