How far do you walk on a pilgrimage?

In short: 20 to 25 kilometres is usual. Beginners do better to start with 15 to 20 kilometres, and trained hikers can manage 30.

People often ask how many kilometres you walk a day on a pilgrimage. It is best not to set yourself targets. How far you can go each day depends very much on your fitness and your health. So what distance can you manage?

If you hike often and generally walk longer distances, 30 km a day shouldn't be a problem. On a pilgrimage, though, it depends mainly on these factors:

• Physical fitness

• State of health

• Condition of the path

• Altitude gain

• Weather

• Breaks

• Sights

Many pilgrims want to take their time, however, and cover only 10 km a day.

Remember the climbs! Hiking in mountainous areas is much harder work than on flat, straight paths.

Everyone should work out and decide on the distance for themselves.

A good guide

Most pilgrims walk 20 to 25 kilometres a day. For the 780-kilometre Camino Francés, that comes to around five weeks. Plan shorter stages for the first week, when your feet and back are getting used to the strain, and take a rest day about every seven to ten days. Also allow about four kilometres an hour, not counting breaks. You will find an overview of the distances on our Way of St James page.