5 Ways to Know the Camino de Santiago is Calling Your Name

ByTristina Oppliger
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Want to walk the Camino de Santiago? Well, let me tell you, it’s no walk in the park. Although you can start at any point along various routes, walking as little as 5 days, the most popular route is 500 miles on the Camino Frances. Starting in the Pyrenees mountains, set out from St. Jean Pier de Port, France early one morning, and arrive 4-5 weeks later in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. When looking at the map or Instagram pictures, it looks like an idyllic route full of soft winding paths, sunshine, and fields of poppies. Ahhh.

In reality, the Way of St. James (as it’s called in English) is a grueling hike that spans all types of terrain including rocky descents and road walking. Torrential downpour or blistering sunshine, pilgrims walk onward towards Santiago carrying a heavy (but well packed) backpack. Tending to blisters, knee and ankle pain before dozing off in a room of multi-national snorers will become reality. Not to say it’s not beautiful. It is. Beautiful and indescribably wonderful despite the difficulty.

Even after you’ve heard all this, are you still reading? I thought so. Let me be frank. There is a distinct calling to walk the Camino de Santiago. You could think of it as the call of the Camino or perhaps more aptly, the call of God. We all have a calling on our lives that some of us have figured out, and some of us are still on our Way. 

Beginning to wonder if the Camino de Santiago is calling you to pilgrimage? Should you walk the Camino? How do you know for certain? 

Here are a few signs to hopefully bring you clarity.

How do I know if I should walk the Camino de Santiago?

 

1. You Feel Called

Before my first Camino, I often said, “The Camino is calling me. I don’t know why, but I know that I must go.” It took me 10 years to walk my first Camino. In the two years prior to my Camino, the call became undeniably loud and distinct. I finally made the brave decision to set out on my own, belongings strapped to my back, awkwardly putting one foot in front of the other until I reached Santiago. Looking back, I see my Camino began long before I purchased my trekking poles. It began with a subtle call, a little feeling in my heart that this journey was meant for me.

So, do you *feel* called? Is there an inexplicable feeling of knowing that this journey is for you? Is this something you feel like you have to do, but can’t explain why? No matter how many other plans you make, you still have the urge to go “one day”? Are you wrought with emotion when you mention the Camino? I urge you to listen, because it seems as if your Camino has already begun.   

Get Started:

  • Head to your local park for a long walk
  • Begin researching routes
  • Buy some basic gear such as a new pair of trail runners

 

2. All Camino all the Time

Once the idea of the Camino has taken hold, or once you have acknowledged its call, your free time becomes all about the Camino for you. You can’t get the Camino out of your head. Even though no one else in your life “gets it,” you continue to talk incessantly about it (maybe to the point of annoying people so much you stop talking about it).

Thoughts keep coming back to the Camino. You go into full information gathering mode, reading articles, books, and blogs. Perhaps you even order some Camino memorabilia or think about what you’d like to buy along the Way. You check the Spanish weather. A hunger for all things Camino comes over you. Planner or not, you prepare for your Camino days, weeks, months, even years in advance.   

Quench your thirst:

  • Get a guidebook, and read it cover-to-cover
  • Check out routes and information on Gronze.com (in Spanish)
  • Learn 12+ ways to wear a buff, your new favorite accessory (unisex)

 

3. Sounds Exhilarating

For pilgrims, the idea of the Camino sounds exciting, exhilarating even. It’s hard to contain your enthusiasm, but your eagerness falls deaf on those around you. It’s okay. This is a personal journey. Your friends, family, and co-workers are not being called to the Camino; you are. Only you can walk this pilgrimage.

I often joked with fellow pilgrims that we were crazy for doing the Camino as a “vacation.” We would all laugh as we trudged along together. Who would want to spend their days walking 6-8 hours in the heat? Who wants to sleep in a room with 60 people? What about blisters? Bed bugs? Carrying a pack? What will you eat? Who will you talk to? For you, these questions are not red flags. Instead you are ripe with anticipation for the thrilling journey you are about to undertake.   

Feed the thrill:

 

4. You’re Afraid

Although you’re excited and interested, you may also feel afraid or uncertain. Flying across the globe, some for the first time, to set off solo for five weeks is no easy feat. Perhaps you don’t know Spanish, are afraid you won’t find a bed for the night, or are worried about crime. These fears are all normal. Making this journey takes courage.

In order to quell some of these fears, I recommend that women join the Camigas: Buddy System for Women on the Camino Facebook group. It’s an active community of women dedicated to helping each other out with all things Camino. Women and men alike can check out Ivar’s forum. Understanding expectations ahead of time can reduce pre-trip anxiety, and bring the question, “Should I walk the Camino de Santiago?” into focus.

In the face of fear, however, you’re still excited. You desire to face the fear, to overcome. Sometimes it takes a leap (or a single footstep) of faith to get started, but your fears and uncertainties will ease as you hear your first, “Buen Camino” from a fellow pilgrim.   

Calm your fears:

 

5. You Have a Reason

There is a reason (sometimes referred to as a Camino theme) you are choosing to walk the Way. Possibly, you want to get away from technology, make a big life decision, or work through the grief of a loved one. Whatever the case may be, there is something inside you that relishes the solitude of the walk in your own mind and heart. You are looking forward to healing, thinking, or praying. Somehow, you just know that a long walk alone with your innermost thoughts will soothe your emotions.

Perhaps your reason is less specific, but you know it’s religious or spiritual. There is something in your life that just doesn’t sit right with you. Maybe it’s unhealthy habits or toxic thoughts that hold you back in life. You are looking for a breakthrough. You hunger for unencumbered time to pray and rekindle your relationship with yourself and God. There is no doubt that there is a soul-level component to the Camino, if you are open to listening.   

Start your journey:

Are you obsessed with the Camino? A little uncertain? Excited beyond belief? Do you have a reason, either specific or vague? And most importantly, do you feel called to walk the Way? If so, it sounds as if the Camino de Santiago is calling you to pilgrimage, and you should indeed walk the Camino. Get started planning today. Buen Camino.

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Blogger & Ex-Spanish Teacher

Tristina Oppliger has traveled to 35+ countries on five continents. Having previously lived in Spain, she loves studying foreign languages and cultures. In fact, she has a Master's in Foreign Language Education and is a former Spanish Teacher! Tristina is passionate about living free—remote work, exploring the world, and finding adventure wherever she goes.