A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés – St. Jean • Roncesvalles • Santiago (Camino Guides)

I walked the Camino in 2018. I think it took me 50 something days, lost count along the way. I didn’t need to have a schedule, didn’t care to have stages set out, was uninterested in having guided trail-side meditations to give meaning to each day’s events. This book was not for me.The popularity of this guide also creates clumps of pilgrims at ‘stage towns’ along the Camino. Of the very best places I found along the way, few of them were located in a stage town.Also, I saw this guide book destroy many of my eager pilgrim friends. Walking slow, you get to know all the people who get sick and injured, and those who give up and go home. It is my firm belief that the ridiculous stages pushed by the guide did a lot of damage. Starting your Camino with long distances, especially on the first day, is a recipe for disaster. Don’t listen to a guidebook; listen to your body. Go easy. Make your own Camino. And for God’s sake, at least consider stopping in Valcarlos on your first day.If that doesn’t convince you, consider this: I walked the entire Camino all the way to Santiago and then on to Finnisterre, in boots I bought in St. Jean the day before I set off, and got not a single blister.I used an app on my iPhone to reserve rooms and vet/reserve albergues before I arrived, you might want to forego the book and go for an app. Or throw the phone in a creek and sleep wherever you find a bed, the Camino will provide (though it does, in my humble experience, provide along with a sense of humor at times).

This is the MUST HAVE guide book for the Camino de Santiago.I have complete three Caminos and just bought my forth copy of this book for our next walk.Advice... Before you leave:1) Rip out all the “preamble” pages in the front. Don't need them on the trail.2) Double tape the spine, or your covers may not last the journey.The elevation profiles are more rounded and gentle then the trail really is.On the trail, look for others with this book.... it means they speak English.

Purchased several different books when planning. This was the most helpful of all. The detailed maps of stages, plus the sites along the way and places to stay were very accurate. Will be walking again next year and will definitely take it along! A must have for the trip.

I was planning on attempting the Camino in the spring of 2018 but will have to settle for 2019. The maps and instructions are well organized and packaged in a smaller book which makes it easier to have as a book to take along and read as you greet each day on the Comino.

LOVE this book! It is a perfect and condensed version to guide pilgrims through the Camino de Santiago. I bought it for myself after a two time Camino pilgrim recommended it. I’ve used it to help plan and I haven’t found a problem yet!

This book was so helpful on our Camino. It was easy to read and navigate. Gives a great overview of the daily treks and helpful info about where to eat and stay along the way.

An excellent resource for first time pilgrims or experienced returnees. Well laid out, not overly done in details but enough to give you what you need. I would strongly recommend this to friends.

Very helpful to read the experiences of a seasoned Camino Pilgrim.

Wonderful book all about the Camino, I got this for a friend as I love my copy so much and I felt this journey would help her - and it did! Brierly is the master of the Camino, sharing history, experiences and giving pilgrims as much information on their way ♥️

This is packed with good information, a little inspiration and some laughs too (all important on the Camino.)

A great book. Invaluable on our Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in 2019 started from St Jean pied de Port. Used it to plan our daily route, to decide where to stop & where to stay.

Bought this for a friend and he said that it was absolutely invaluable. He used it everyday of his recent walk and at one point he had 6 multi national people looking over his shoulder consulting it at a fork in the trail. He was gutted when it got soaked from heavy rain but it’s been dried out ready for the next leg, if not a little tired and dog eared as every good read should be.

Comprehensive, detailed guide to the Camino de Santiago. Great reference for anyone planning on experiencing the Camino Frances - St. Jean o Roncesvalles o Santiago journey.