Surfing the internet is a good place to start reading about the route. There is a lot of information available. We have a link to a cycling specific story on the Camino. Go to our web site and head for the bike travel stories in the European section.

A very good site put out by the Spanish tourist office is - www.xacobeo.es

Another good source of info is the Pilgrim's Guide to Spain put out by the Confraternity of Saint James. This was our bible on the trip, always tucked in my shirt pocket. It lists the names of towns along the Camino, the distances to the next town, available lodging (from 3 star hotels to refugios) and places to eat. Refugios are very basic lodgings specifically set up by religious groups to shelter pilgrims. They usually rely on pilgrim donations to exist.

The Confraternity of Saint James First Floor, Talbot Yard 87 Borough High St. London SE1 1NH England Web site : www.csj.org.uk

As for maps, Michelin Map #441 of North West Spain has a good scale of 1cm : 4km.

There are good guidebooks on the Camino - mostly in Spanish. The only bookstores with guidebooks translated into English are in Santiago, at the end of the trip. Even in Madrid, it is impossible finding an English guidebook. The book titled "The Pilgrim Route to Santiago - a Practical Guide" is a must if you can get it. It highlights the Camino route in relation to the main highways and major towns. Also includes a practical information booklet listing lodgings.

The Pilgrim Route to Santiago Published by Edilesa Camino Cuesta Luzar s/n 24010 Leon Spain tel 34-987-800-905 fax 34-987-840-028 email: edilesa@fedecali.es

If you are lucky enough to read Spanish, a good book is the Aeroguia (Aerial Guide) de Camino de Santiago (Publishers - Geo Planet). It has aerial pictures of the terrain with highlights of the Camino.

Pilgrims upon reaching Santiago can get a compostel - a certificate of completion of the pilgrimage. As proof, you need a passport. At designated towns along the route, your passport is stamped by hotels, restaurants, government offices, churches, etc. The stamps prove that you have passed through the town during your pilgrimage. Refugios also require the passport for accomodations. Pilgrim's passports can be obtained in the US (suggested $5 donation) from

Friends of the Road to Santiago 2501 Kingstown rd Kingston, RI 02881 Web site: http://www.uri.edu/artsci/langlab/davidson.html email: dgitlitz@aol.com

A pilgrim's passport with the required stamps in different towns.

Compostel issued by the Pilgim's office in Santiago.

 

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