Less Crowded El Camino Routes

The Many Routes of the El Camino de Santiago

Almost a half million people walked one of the many routes of the El Camino to Santiago in Spain in 2024!  Let’s face it:  the Camino, or “The Way of St. James”, is getting crowded – especially on the last 100 km/60 miles into Santiago, which is required in order to receive your Compostela, or certificate of completion.

Most people do the French Way, or Camino Frances – more than 40%!  This route starts in the Pyrennes, and most people begin at St Jean Pied-de-Port if they want a full Camino.  Others begin in Sarria to get their compostela.  Learn more about the French Way here.

The second most popular El Camino is the Camino Portuguese.  Close to 75,000 people walked one of the Portuguese Way last year.  There is an inland route and a coastal route option, and even a Spiritual Way detour you can do on the Portuguese Way. Like the French Way, the last segment from Oia into Santiago is crowded with ‘pilgrims’ (Camino walkers) seeking a compostela. Learn more about the Portugues Way here.  

But the French Way and the Portuguese Way are not the only routes of the El Camino de Santiago!

The Way of Saint James is a historical Christian pilgimmage from many parts of Europe (the relics, or remains of the apostle St. James are thought to be buried in the main cathedral in Santiago.

Since the Middle Ages, the faithful have come to Santiago in hopes of forgiveness, a special indulgence a cure or other prayer request.  In recent decades, doing an El Camino has become more secular and people walk an El Camino for personal reasons such as to commemorate a big birthday or life change.  

Learn everything you need to know about the El Camino here

Other Less Crowded El Camino Routes include:

El Camino Norte

Camino del Norte Coastal

The “Original” Way

El Camino Primitivo

Camino de Invierno

El Camino Ingles

Le Puy Camino

Via de la Plata

Finisterre 

Scroll down for the different stages, milage, difficulty, and best and busiest months for each of the less traveled El Caminos above

Follow The Camino

Because doing a Camino has become so popular, I HIGHLY recommend booking your accommodations ahead of time, especially on your last 100 km!  Consider using my affiliate Follow the Camino, my ‘go to’ experts on all things Camino.  Not only can FTC book your lodging, they will arrange to have your luggage transported daily so all you need to carry is a day pack.  You’ll get maps and 24/7 support as needed to ensure a smooth Camino.

Email me for an exclusive Follow the Camino Promo Code.

Alternative El Camino Routes : Route Details and When to Go

El Norte Camino de Santiago

Just over 20,000 pilgrims walked the El Camino del Norte last year.

This route begins in San Sebastian and follows the Spanish northern coast, passing through Bilboa and other fun towns before headding south to the beautiful city of Oviedo en route to Santiago.  Below is a breakdown of the stages of the Camino Norte, also known as the Ruta de la Costa, the milage per stage, the difficulty and best and busiest months to walk the El Camino del Norte.

Other El Camino del Norte Options

There is a Coastal El Norte El Camino that often pilgrims use from the Basque country.  This route starts in Ribodasella.  The four stage Full Coastal del Norte takes 21 days.  It is 173 miles/278 km and is considered moderate.

If you’d prefer to walk your El Camino fully guided, consider joining Follow The Camino’s Santander to Ribodesella tour.

Book your El Camino del Norte

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Planning Your El Camino del Norte:

El Camino Primitivo – the ‘Original’ Way

Considered the first pilgrim, King Alfonso II of Asturias walked from the old Asturian capital of Oviedo to Lugo and into Santiago in the year 814.  For many, it is considered the most challenging and also most beautiful.  The king built the original shriine to St. James in Santiago.

You can listen to the podcast and see my pics about my own El Camino Primitivo here.

Book your El Camino Primitivo or El Norte here

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Planning Your El Camino Primitivo

Camino Ingles – The English Way

This short camino favored by nordic and other northern countries begins on the north coast of Spain in Ferrol, and is a seven day walk to Santiago.  This 71 mile/114.5km route is rated moderate .

The best times to walk the Camino Ingles is April, July, August and October.  The busiest months are May, June and September.

Camino Via de La Plata from Seville Spain

Planning Your Via de La Plata El Camino

Below are the stages, milage, difficulty and best and busiest times to do your El Camino Via de la Plata:

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Le Puy en Velay or Via Podiensis in France

Best for nature lovers, this exciting Camino goes through volcanic landscapes and specctacular countryside of France and then connects in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port of the French Way (Camino Frances).  Start your journey in Le Puy with a blessing in the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy!

Planning Your Le Puy Camino

Below you’ll find the six stages, milage, difficulty and best and busiest months to plan your Le Puy Camino de Santiago.

The Le Puy Camino connect with the Camino Frances in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.  

Get more information on the French Camino HERE.

Book your Camino de Invierno now

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Camino de Invierno – Winter Way French Way Alternative Camino

To avoid harsh winter weather, many pilgrims in the past used this lesser known route.  In addition to smaller crowds, you’ll also have the opportunity to relax in the thermal baths of the town of Ourense!  

The Invierno Camino can be done in two stages from Ponferrada to Monforte de Lemos, followed by the second stage into Santiago.  Below youy’ll find the stage distances, difficulty and best and busiest months so you can plan your Camino de Invierno.

You can learn about more ways to avoid crowds on the El Camino in the interview here.  You’ll also see a list of ALL my El Camino Interviews.

Camino Finisterre to “The Ends of the Earth”

After your’ve finished your Camino, consider extending your Camino all the way to the sea!  Many pilgrims in the past would walk to the sea, considered at the time to be at the end of the world, and would collect a scallop shell as proof of their pilgrimmage.  

The Camino Finisterre is 53 miles/86 km and can be walked in 6 days.  It is moderately difficult.  The best months for Finnisterre are April, June-August and October.  The busiest months are May and September.

This section of the Camino is not long enough to earn a compostela, so if you don’t feel like walking, but would like to see it, just take the public bus and make a day or overnight trip out of it!

Other Posts and Podcasts about the El Camino

• The French Way
• The Camino Primitivo
• Bike the Portuguese Way from Porto
• ALL the Camino Interviews
• Follow The Camino Tours
• Packing for your Camino
• Longer Term Travel Preparation
• Training for Adventure Travel

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