Camino Pilgrim Guides: Camino Santiago de Compostela, Frances, Finisterre and Portugues

Camino Guides updates for 2013

Camino Finisterre

Pilgrim numbers have increased substantially in recent years and while this has put pressure on resources the good news is that several new hostels opened during 2012 in key locations to help relieve shortage of accommodation. If you have the 2013 or earlier editions you can download (free) the latest route maps in portable document format (pdf) for stages 1,2 & 3 and the town maps for Cee/Corcubion and Muxia showing the position of the latest hostels.

[Map stage 1 p.31] [Map stage 2 p.37] [Map stage 3 p.43] [Cee/Corcubion p.49] [Muxia p.84]

Camino de Santiago (Francés)

The route remains unchanged since the last 2013 edition was published. The previous edition has some minor changes to the route into Burgos (stage 12) and the final stage into Santiago itself (stage 33). You can download (free) the latest maps for these sections here.

[Map Stage 12 p.127] [Map stage 33 p.271]

Camino Portugués

The route from Porto to Santiago continues to delight and the section from Lisboa to Porto continues to improve with the addition of several new pilgrim-friendly hostels in 2013. These are located in Lisbon, Santarém, Golegã and Tomar with a new albergue in Grijó adjacent to the monastery, a welcome break on the long stage into Porto (António Pires 968 702 769). The path into Golegã has also been altered to avoid the flood plains along the Tejo. Also note that pilgrim passports credenciales are now available from the following locations in Lisbon city (shown on the Lisbon map. Opening times may vary):

[1] Basilica dos Mártires 10.00-18.00.
[2] Cathedral Sé. 09.00-19.00
[3] Igreja de Santiago Tues-Sat 15.00-18.00 Sat/Sun 09.00-12.00.

The ever-helpful pilgrim association Via Lusitana based in Lisbon also keep credenciales and their pilgrim emergency 'hotline' continues to be staffed 24 hours +351 915 595 213.

Download (free) the following maps which show these changes.

[Lisbon p.33] [Santarém p.51] [Tomar p.63] [Santarém–Golegã p.53].

Flights:

Easyjet open a new route from London Gatwick to Santiago from 18th June 2013 to supplement their flights from Geneva and Basel. Ryanair continue their flights from London Stansted, Frankfurt and Milan as well as their routes within Spain. Aer Lingus begin their 2013 schedule from Dublin on 31st March.

Tithing:

The tithing from royalties of the sale of these guidebooks continues to support various initiatives that; '...seek to preserve the physical and spiritual integrity of the Caminos de Santiago.' Apart from the usual tithing to confraternities is the latest donation of $1,120.00 to the help in the production of The Camino Documentary by Lydia Smith (see attached letter).Watch out for the release of this beautifully made film which is due for release in 2013. Thank you for buying these guidebooks that help support and promote the caminos.

Pilgrim numbers:

179,919 pilgrims collected a Compostela for completion last year. The percentage walking the Camino Francés fell (for the 5th consecutive year) to 72% (132,652 pilgrims) with the Camino Portugués rising to 12% (22,062) becoming the second most popular route. Spaniards made up over half of all pilgrims at 53% followed by Germans 20%, Italians 14% and Portuguese 10%. The majority of pilgrims were in fulltime employment and aged between 30 and 60 years with students making up 17% and those aged over 60 only 14%. These statistics, compiled by the pilgrim office in Santiago, do not include those continuing on to Finisterre and Muxia. While precise figures for the Camino Finisterre are not available this route is now the third most popular and many new pilgrim hostels have opened up during the past year to facilitate this increase in numbers (see Camino Finisterre above).

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