How to Prepare for the Camino de Santiago Like a Pro

How do you prepare for the Camino de Santiago? Keep reading for tips and tricks from a two-time pilgrim!

If preparing to walk the Camino de Santiago has you feeling overwhelmed, you’ve come to the right place.

After reading this post, you’ll have have an easy-to-follow plan to prepare for the Camino de Santiago.

Unlike other Camino de Santiago training guides, the approach laid out in this post is one you’ll actually be able to stick with so you can stop questioning whether or not you’ll make it to Santiago de Compostela.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• How hard is the Camino de Santiago?
• How to physically prepare for the Camino de Santiago
• How to mentally prepare for the Camino de Santiago
• 7 Practical Tips for Camino de Santiago Preparation

Before we dive in, know this…

Regardless of how much time you have to research, train and prepare, you CAN walk the Camino de Santiago.

This post will give you *almost* everything you need to make sure you make it to Santiago de Compostela.

For even more Camino de Santiago advice, be sure to check out this post with 25 things you need to know before doing the Camino.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

This post was originally published Dec. 6, 2016, and was updated April 30, 2020.

How hard is the Camino de Santiago?

I know I alreadry wrote this, but I’m going to say it one more time for the people in the back:

Regardless of how much time you have to research, train and prepare, you CAN walk the Camino de Santiago.

But, don’t get it twisted. This is NOT me saying the Camino is easy.

Walking the Camino de Santiago is hard.

I did my first Camino in Sept. 2016, walking the last 100 km of the Camino Francés from Sarria before continuing on to Finisterre.

It was the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life, which considering I’d run a full marathon the previous September is really saying something.

In Oct. 2019, I walked the Camino Portugués from Porto. Even though I enjoyed it significantly more than my first Camino experience, it was still incredibly challeneging.

Largely in part to the shin splint from hell, walking the Portuguese Camino is the second hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

Why is the Camino de Santiago hard?

So, yes, walking the Camino de Santiago is very hard.

But, why? What makes it more difficult than running a marathon?

After all, it’s just walking, right?

The Camino de Santiago is hard because you’re walking day after day which leaves little time for your body to recover.

Not only is it physically tough to put a backpack on when every part of your body hurts, but it’s mental challeneging as well.

When you run a marathon, you cross the finish line the same day. You don’t take off your medal, go to sleep and wake up to do it all over again.

That would be madness.

That would be the Camino.

In addition to the physical and mental tolls of walking significant distances day after day, walking the Camino is hard because:

• Even small hills are mountains when you’re carrying a pack.
• The terrain changes frequently.
•  It’s sometimes boring.
• Sleeping in albergues isn’t always comfortable.
• Bad weather happens.
• You feel pressure from other pilgrims to change your plan.
• Reality might not live up to your expectations.

As you can see, walking the Camino de Santiago is hard for a litany of reasons.

But, for many pilgrims (myself included), the fact it’s so hard only makes walking the Camino de Santiago more worth it.

The Camino is challenging but don’t let that scare you.

If you know how to prepare for the Camino de Santiago properly, you will not only rise to the challenge but also actually enjoy your pilgrimage.

How to Physically Prepare for the Camino de Santiago

When it comes to how to physically prepare for the Camino de Santiago, you need to train for these three things:

1. Walking long distances day after day
2. Trekking uphill (and downhill) on various terrain
3. Carrying a fully-loaded pack

In an ideal world, you could simulate the Camino with daily training walks.

In fact, I’ve seen quite a few resources promote hardcore Camino training plans.

But, let’s be real, very few people (myself included) have the time to spend seven hours walking around their neighborhood on a Tuesday.

How to Train to Walk the Camino de Santiago

If you’ve never done a long distance hike before, I recommend that eight to 12 weeks before your Camino, you find two days in your schedule to walk back-to-back.

Rather than focusing on mileage, walk based on time. The first week, I recommend two 2-hour walks with a fully-loaded backpack.

That last part is very important.

If you do nothing else before your Camino, make sure you take at least a couple of walks with a fully-loaded backpack.

The backpack I used for both my Caminos is the Osprey Kyte 36. It’s big enough to carry everything you need but small enough that it won’t be a burden.

The Osprey Kyte 36 is designed to fit a woman’s frame, but the equivalent for men is the Osprey Kestral 38.

Walking for two hours to train might not seem like a big deal, but walking for two hours while carrying a pack is a whole other ball game.

If your schedule allows, you can increase your walks by 30 minutes each week. Building up to six hours on your feet would put you way ahead of the game.

You should also try to vary the terrain you’re walking on (asphalt AND dirt paths) as well as mix in some hills.  

How fit do you need to be to walk the Camino de Santiago?

Listen, if people waited until they were in the best shape of their lives to walk the Camino, the road to Santiago would be a heck of a lot less crowded.

Yet, according to Wikipedia, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walk the Camino each year.

During my two Caminos, I have seen ALL kinds of people walking.

You don’t need to be a hardcore athlete to walk the Camino.

You just need a Camino de Santiago training guide that you will actually stick with.

The suggestions in the previous section are for someone who already has a solid fitness base to build upon.

Each person will have different requirements, and if you’re even slightly concerned about your health, you should definitely talk to your doctor.

Perhaps even more dangerous than undertraining is overtraining.

You don’t want to hurt yourself before you even set foot on the Camino.

Don’t try to build up your time too quickly. If you need to start with 30-minute walks or no pack, do that.

I’m not a health professional and am simply giving advice based on my own experience.

I know some people are discouraged about walking the Camino because they’re worried about how much time it will take to train. I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to take over your whole life.

How to Mentally Prepare for the Camino de Santiago

Don’t get me wrong: physical preparation is definitely important.

But, the key to a successful pilgrimage is all in how you mentally prepare for the Camino de Santiago.

When I walked my first Camino in 2016, I didn’t take the time to mentally prepare.

I didn’t take the time to visualize what a typical day would be like or how I’d handle adversity. I didn’t spend any time thinking about what I wanted to get out of the whole thing, how I wanted to feel when I reached Santiago.

Looking back, it’s no wonder I hated the experience.

Mentally preparing for the Camino is all about knowing your why.

Why do you want to walk the Camino? Why does this matter to you?

Not only will knowing your “why” get you through those inevitable tough days on the Camino, but it will allow you to live more fully in the moment.

If you’re going to walk across Spain, you might as well get everything out of the experience that you possibly can.

7 Tips for Camino de Santiago Preparation

Now that you know how to physically and mentally prepare for the Camino de Santiago, I’m going to share a few more tips to help you prepare for the Camino like a pro.

#1: Test Out Your Gear

I already touched on the importance of taking at least a couple of walks with a fully-loaded pack, but I’m bringing it up again because it’s THAT important.

You need to see how your pack fits, where it rubs and get used to carrying weight.

The same goes for footwear.

Even one training walk in the same shoes and socks you plan to wear on the Camino can give you the intel you need to avoid a day one blister.

I only had time for one training walk with my Altra shoes, but that one walk provided valuable insight.

For the gear I used on my Caminos, check out my Camino de Santiago packing list.

#2: Don’t Overlook Your Budget

As a budget traveler, it’s difficult for me to enjoy any experience when I feel like I’m wasting money.

While walking the Camino is a very affordable adventure, it’s still possible to over-spend.

Familiarize yourself with how much it costs to walk the Camino. I’ve written multiple posts detailing my expenses:

• How Much It Costs to Walk From Sarria to Santiago
• How Much It Costs to Walk the Portuguese Coastal Way

#3: Develop a Stretching Routine

On both my Caminos, I failed to stretch daily from the get-go and paid dearly for it.

Stretching before and after walking is crucial for avoiding injuries.

You should establish a routine as part of your Camino de Santiago training plan so when you start on the actual trail, it’s second nature.

#4: Drink Enough Water Beforehand

In the days leading up to starting the Camino, you should take special care with your food and water intake.

Think of it like gassing up the ol’ machine.

Try to drink at least 2 L of water per day.

For food, this is your chance to go carb crazy.

#5: Research Backpack Transport Services

If you don’t feel up to carrying your backpack on the Camino, you can pay to have it transported from one albergue to the next.

I’ve never used one of these services myself, but it’s not a bad idea to have a company in mind in case an injury makes walking with your pack difficult.

#6: Talk to Your Doctor

Spoiler alert: I’m not a doctor.

Shocking, right?

If you have ANY doubts about your health, you should talk to your doctor before walking the Camino.

They’ll likely be able to provide personalized advice for how you should prepare.

#7: Promise to Walk Your Camino

You can do all the Camino de Santiago preparation in the world, but if you don’t commit to walking your own Camino, all that hard work was for nothing.

When you’re finally on the trail and finally on the way to Santiago, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. You’ll hear what other pilgrims are doing and might feel pressured to change your plans.

Don’t.

Right here and right now, I want you to promise YOURSELF that no matter what you will walk YOUR OWN Camino.

More Posts to Help You Prepare For the Camino de Santiago

• The Ultimate Camino Packing List {Free Printable Checklist}
• Everything You MUST Know About the Camino de Santiago
• Portuguese Camino Coastal Route Stages {2020 13-Day Guide}
• Camino de Santiago Albergues {2020}: Where Do You Sleep on the Camino?

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Final Thoughts on How to Prepare for the Camino de Santiago

At the beginning of this post, I told you this Camino de Santiago training guide would have *almost* everything you need for a successful journey.

You now know how hard the Camino is, how to physically prepare for the Camino, how to ready yourself mentally and what you need to do in the weeks leading up to your pilgrimage.

But, there’s one last thing you need to prepare to walk the Camino de Santiago.

As much as I wish I could, I can’t give it to you…

I’m talking about desire.

You need to WANT to walk the Camino.

You need to WANT to take the time to prepare.

It’s up to you to find the motivation, and once you do, it has the power to get you all the way to Santiago de Compostela.

Got questions about preparing for the Camino? Leave me a comment!

How to Prepare for the Camino de Santiago