Joanie_ET

I am interested in doing a walk over 60 + miles along one of the routes (probably the French route) and would like to receive the certificate (I have a site that said 60 or more miles on foot or 125 by bike is enough to get the certificate- will do the minimum due to time constraints- I live in the LA area). Volumes of material exist on this walk: its history, the various routes, etc. and they reference getting a card of some type stamped or otherwise authenticated in order to be legitimate to collect the certificate at Santiago de Compostela. I have had trouble finding where to go to get the card, paper or whatever is necessary to verify my walk. And once I have that, who stamps or signs it along the way? Also, I was in Le Puy-en-Velay and was at a moving religious service where they blessed the pilgrims who were about to set off. Is this done at other points along the route? Like nearer to Santigo de Compostela-- maybe Lagos or Santander? Where can one find details? I will be starting the trip sometime on or a few days after July 16th, 2006. Would love to hear from someone who has done the trip or knows of someone who did. Ok to E-mail me directly: [email protected]

kenderina

I don't know anyone who has done the Way but I've searched some websites that answer most of your questions :
http://www.caminosantiago.com/web_ingles/index.htm
http://www.xacobeo.es/comezo.asp?idioma=ingles
This last one is an american association where you can have the certificate in advance (later on it is signed in every place you go for the night during the trip)
http://www.americanpilgrims.com/

ron

The web site for the uk association, the Confraternity of St. James, is www.csj.org.uk, which also gives you links to the American, Canadian and Irish associations. It explains where to get the Credenciel del Peregrino and where to get it stamped.

cova

Hi Joanie,

Ron has mentioned the probably best informed english language website, the Confraternity of Saint James. They will sure be able to direct you to an american association where they can provide you with the accreditation ( Compostela ) or tell you where to get it.

The Compostela is stamped in churches or pilgrim hostels along the different Ways. I donīt think that Santander or Lagos ( do you mean the Lagos de Enol and Ercina in Asturias ? I cannot find a place with that name ... ) will have a lot of infrastructure regarding the Way. Mainly because the French Way, coming into Spain through Roncesvalles or Somport, and then walking towards Pamplona, Burgos, Leon ... is the one that has been more developed. The Northern Way, coming into Spain through the french border of Hendaye or from the see into Santander is beginning now to be organize, but you wonīt have so many hostels as in the other one.

I know that in places like Roncesvalles or Jaca they do a blessing ceremony for the pilgrims every evening, and you will probably find it in Burgos or Leon or O Cebreiro.

BTW, people who only can walk the last 100 kms usually begin in O Cebreiro or Sarria. If the search function manages to work, I will be able to bring forward some posts from people who have done it. Here you have a website depicting the Saint James Way in Galicia, divided in 6 stages, from O Cebreiro to Santiago.
http://www.asantiago.com/index.htm

Bye, Cova

Viajero2

Joanie-- there are organized walking tours that do the last 100 kms. There are posts from a Fodor's contributor (I can't remember her name....) who just did this, and posted the website of the company, http//www.spanishsteps.com. The prices are very reasonable and as I recalled, she highly recommended the company.

marigross

Hi Joanie_ET, DH and I walked a part of the Camino this past May. We went organized with a company called Spanish Steps and would do so again. We walked a few 'choice' segments and then from Ambasmestas to Santiago. A group memeber with a GPS recorded 147kms over the eight days we walked. It is an extraordinary experience!!!

You have to decide if you want to do it pilgrim-style and stay in the albergues or if you would rather be in a group and not have to look for places to sleep and drink. The season is also very important.

If you are planning to go by yourself you can pick up your Credencial de Peregrino (pilgrim credential) in any Albergue (shelter/hostal) along the way. The albergues will let you shower and sleep for a few Euros but they operate on a first-come-first-served basis.

I dont recall any official pilgrim mass along the way aside the one in Roncesvalles. The pilgrim mass in Santiago is a very moving and powerful experience (lapsed catholic that I am).

This is the link to my trip report:
Fodors.com > Travel Talk > Europe > Mari's Northern Spain and the Camino de Santiago Trip Report

I will top it anyway in case the link doesnt work.

cova

The link for Mariīs report is here :
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34630742

And I think this one could be interesting :
http://santiago-today.com/index.cfm

Bye, Cova