Bored and stuck in a rut, and confused about how to break free? Be puzzled no more!
How about a do-able adventure that you can do in just 6 days even if you are as unfit as a cookie on a hot cafe latte?
The route for the Camino Ingles has changed! But my book has you covered, it’s completely updated for changes in 2017!
This guide for the Camino Ingles reveals how easy it is to walk the Camino without fighting the crowds for a bed or blasting your blisters on a 500 mile slog. The Camino Ingles is a walk in Spain that is a genuine pilgrimage. It will take you only 6 days. Yes!!
[ctt template=”11″ link=”bdsde” via=”yes” ]The Camino Ingles is the closest you can get to an instant adventure, without the agony.[/ctt]
It’s the ultimate #camino hack.
But what IS it?
The Camino Ingles is a genuine medieval pilgrim trail that is over a thousand years old. Pretty authentic enough! The scallop shell is the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. Wearing it marks you as a pilgrim, and has done so for over a thousand years.
Are you looking for your first Camino, or your next camino (yes, we know who you are camino tragics!), try the Ingles. With all the camino infrastructure, and none of the crowds, the Camino Ingles will fill your heart with it’s quiet beauty and peace – no crowds of pilgrims, just the green heart of Galicia.
With rural landscapes, small villages and genuine medieval towns, drink your fill of an adventure that is doable, and quick to do. Did you know… [ctt template=”11″ link=”8WBoy” via=”yes” ]86% of pilgrims say they wish they had known about the Camino Ingles before cancelling their plans for the much longer Camino Frances.[/ctt]
The Camino Ingles is so called because it was the route pilgrims from England and Northern Europe used to get to Santiago in medieval times.
Why Santiago? Santiago de Compostela is the third most important pilgrimage route in Christianity, after Rome and Jerusalem. It was encouraged after the Muslim conquest of the Holy Lands closed the roads to Jerusalem.
It was actively encouraged by the kingdom of Asturias, the last Christian kingdom in Spain, possibly to get support from other Christian kingdoms, to push back the Moors.
It is also called the Way of St. James, as the remains of the Apostle James are believed to be buried in the crypt in the Catedral de Santiago. Read More.
Let’s make this EASY.
The Ultimate Guide to the Camino Ingles
This guide is everything that I have been able to find about the Camino Ingles, and other caminos..because after walking one camino, you will find yourself irresistibly drawn to walk again …and again.
Where does Camino Ingles start and end?
Why is the Camino de Santiago so popular?
Is Camino de Santiago a pilgrimage?
Chapter 1: Why Walk the Camino Ingles
Why walk at all?
There are many reasons to walk – mine was to have an adventure in the shortest time! Yes, I’m lazy like that – I prefer to say I’m just practical! I had heard of the Camino Frances, and seen the Martin Sheen movie, The Way. But year after year, I didn’t have the time to do the 800 km of the Frances.
[ctt template=”3″ link=”s56it” via=”yes” ]#They say the Camino finds you – and it’s true, the Camino Ingles found me![/ctt]
- A quick and succinct guide to the Camino Ingles, this gives you a map and an overview of the stages that you can walk
- Walking does great things for you – makes you happier, healthier and more sociable.
- The easiest fix in the world – walking and how to get the most out of it. Do this before you leave!
- Walking is one of the best ways to stay fit and a lot of other things – it can help you think better, get more done, relate better, and live longer. Join the elite group of overachievers who walked!
Chapter 2: Where does the Camino Ingles start and end ..and all that’s in between?
The Camino Ingles starts from both A Coruna or Ferrol, previously only the route from Ferrol would earn you the Compostela.
Newsflash! It is now possible to walk the first 30 kms of the Camino Ingles in your home country and continue the walk from A Coruna to Santiago and be eligible for the Compostela. Provided you get your credencial or pilgrim passport stamped!
Decisions! The route from Ferrol is the more beautiful, but the city of Coruna is more historic and authentic!
How to get to Ferrol in Spain
Getting to Ferrol can be a puzzle, but you can get there by
- Flying into Coruna and then taking a train or bus to Ferrol
- Flying into Santiago and taking a bus to Ferrol
Be aware that detours and re-routing may be in place, follow the yellow arrows and granite markers to make sure you are on the Camino. There is talk around the interwebs that the steepest parts of the Camino Ingles are being rerouted to make it easier.
[ctt template=”11″ link=”1zD4r” via=”yes” ]There is talk around the interwebs that the steepest parts of the #Camino Ingles are being rerouted to make it easier.[/ctt]
Camino Ingles Route Map
Click for a Google Map created by a pilgrim, Sean Hampton!
- How to find the start of the Camino Ingles!
- This is a commercial site, but it gives good information.
- You will probably find every question ever asked in this link – but most are on all caminos. Still ..a very useful site.
- Navigate each stage of the Ingles on this page.
- This is a good site to read before you go, though it is not really about the Ingles. There is a paucity of information online dedicated to the Ingles.
- What you need to know before you go – not strictly on the Ingles. But a lot of it applies!
[ctt template=”11″ link=”gzlr5″
[ctt template=”11″ link=”gzlr5″ via=”yes” ]Everything you always wanted to know about the Camino Ingles – plus more.[/ctt]
Quick Reference to the towns along the Camino Ingles Stages:
- Ferrol
- Neda – Naron – Fene
- Pontedeume – Cabanas
- Mino
- Betanzos
- Presedo
- Bruma – Meson do Vento
- Sigueiro
Chapter 3: How to plan the Camino Ingles (or any walk)
One of the keys to a successful Camino is good planning. In this section you will find all the information you need. Of course, you can choose not to plan as well!
[ctt template=”3″ link=”Ud45x” via=”yes” ]Previously only the Ferrol route #Camino Ingles would earn you the #Compostela but that’s changing – read on![/ctt]
Camino Ingles Packing List Suggestions
I kept things simple. But it’s good to see what others have to say.
Making sure you pack correctly – even though less is better, there are some things that you must carry to have a successful time. And some things that you shouldn’t bother with.
- Here are some ideas to mix up your fitness preparation.
- And in case of an emergency, here are some tips. The Ingles is not a danger zone, but here are some good tips.
I particularly like the mylar blanket (yes, I have one in my backpack) and a whistle.
- Planning – A simple guide for the planners among you.
- You also need to eat – while there is plenty to eat on the Ingles, there are some stretches where you need to carry some nutritional snacks.
[ctt template=”3″ link=”ibg6O” via=”yes” ]”A minimum budget on the Camino for somebody eating cheaply and staying in albergues would be around €20 – €25 per day.”[/ctt]
Chapter 4: Why is the Camino de Santiago so popular?
The Way of St. James has had its ups and downs in history. It was a very popular way from the 10-13th centuries, before its decline. It also fell off due to the Protestant Reformation in Europe when Catholics were persecuted by various Protestant dispensations in England and Europe.
In the twentieth century it experienced a revival that drew in people of all religions or no religion at all. This has been mirrored by the revival of long distance walks, or through hiking in many other regions.
[ctt template=”3″ link=”2fQuv” via=”yes” ]In the twentieth century the Camino experienced a revival that drew in people of all religions or no religion at all.[/ctt]
From Homeaway.es here is the best snapshot I have found of all the caminos, and in fact it has the most accurate of all the distances for the Camino Ingles! It will also give you some Spanish practice!
- The Confraternity of St James is a non-profit organisation that has worked to help people do the various Caminos.
- There are many reasons that this route is so popular, find out about five in this article.
- Do you know your compostela from your credencial? This is a good site to find out!
- Walking the Camino will change you forever – here are just 6 ways!
- In a group or on your own, the journey is meant for you!
- Yoda says, Choose wisely your camino you must young padawan!
- Some statistics on the Camino in 2017, so far..
By Alonso de Mendoza [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)],
via Wikimedia Commons
Chapter 5: Why is Camino de Santiago a pilgrimage?
It was and still is a way of walking to the tomb of Santiago, or St James the Apostle of Spain. There are many modalities of disconnecting from the world, and reconnecting with yourself, or something greater than yourself.
This was the path of forgiveness and redemption to pray at the Catedral de Santiago, after having walked there from your home..but…
[ctt template=”3″ link=”bf7fS” via=”yes” ]There are no limits! Try another camino![/ctt]
Camino Ingles Albergues
One of the features of a pilgrimage is the access to cheap pilgrim accommodation. Albergues are available in :
- Neda
- Pontedeume
- Mino
- Betanzos
- Presedo
- Bruma
There is no albergue in Sigueiro, but there are private albergues and well priced hostals. All recorded in my book!
Don’t be afraid to try another camino – be original! You can continue to the ends of the earth – Finisterra.
- There are other secret routes that are caminos too.
- You never know exactly why you are called to be a pilgrim..until you can no longer recognise yourself!
- It is a walk to a Catholic shrine, and there are many miracles en route!
Inspiration
In my search for resources, I also found some inspirational stories.
- This is an indie film about Phil and how he created his own camino. An award winning independent film.
- If you want a way to change, change your direction, head out to Santiago
- Pilgrim paths in Ireland
- A pilgrim walk in France
- Some other long distance walks that you can do before or after your camino
You can also pick up my book The Camino Ingles: 6 days to Santiago from Amazon, either as an ebook or a printed copy.
It has everything you need to know to walk the Camino Ingles.
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