Scallop shell and yellow arrow: the signs on the Way of St James

In short: That varies from region to region. In Spain the lines often converge in the direction of Santiago, but it is different elsewhere. If in doubt, trust the arrow.

You can stay on the Way of St James without a map because two simple signs appear almost everywhere: the shell and the yellow arrow.

The shell

The scallop shell is the oldest pilgrim symbol. In the Middle Ages pilgrims brought it back from the Galician coast as proof of their journey. Today many people have one hanging from their backpack from the start. In Santiago it is part of almost every building and souvenir.

The yellow arrow

The yellow arrow is much more recent. In the 1980s the Galician priest Elías Valiña began marking the route with yellow paint. Today you will find the arrows on walls, trees and kerbs. They are the main waymarking system.

Other countries, other signs

On the Caminho de Fátima the arrows are blue. In France the routes follow the red and white markings of the GR network. Japan and Germany have their own signs again. Check before you leave which sign applies to your route.

Taken a wrong turn?

If you haven't seen an arrow for about 20 minutes, go back to the last sign. That is quicker than trying to make your way across country. You will find tips on maps and apps in our article on navigation.