The Jacksonville Bucket List Meetup

Walking 500 miles across Spain! Begin in France and walk appx 35 days carrying just a backpack filled with the essentials. A walk of a lifetime!

The Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James is a spiritual journey that pilgrims of all faiths and backgrounds have traversed for over a thousand years. The pilgrimage originally began at one’s doorstep, though modern trekkers today would find that rather difficult, particularly American pilgrims needing to cross the Atlantic. While there are a number of established routes leading to Santiago from all directions, the most popular is the Camino Frances, which crosses the Pyrenees Mountains along the Spanish-French border starting in St. Jean Pied de Port.

This Camino route covers 800 kilometers that traverses an idyllic northern Spanish countryside. By following the yellow painted arrows marking the road, a pilgrim can expect to walk 12-15 miles a day to reach the next town for the night. At this pace, a pilgrim can reach the Cathedral de Santiago in 6 to 8 weeks time to attend the Pilgrim's Mass held at noon each day. Some take more time, others less. Some choose to travel by bike, and some have done the Camino on horseback. Along the way travelers encounter albergues, refugios and casa rurals that cater specifically to the thousands of pilgrims of all ages that take this journey each year, immersing themselves in the local food, culture and history dedicated to this experience.

To be considered a Pilgrim you must walk at least the last 100 km...but to do it right walk all 790!

This is so you can start planning now. I walked this in 2016 and will be going back in 2025. I spent appx $3000.00 but you can spend more or less depending on how you want to do this.

Watch the movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen to see what it is all about.

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