10 Lessons from 10 Caminos

Preamble: While most people believe there is only one Camino de Santiago, there are actually many Caminos. The main ones are El Camino Francès, El Camino Primitivo, El Camino Inglès, El Camino Portugués, El Camino del Norte, and El Camino de La Plata. But that’s only the beginning... Despite the numerous Caminos spread all over Spain (and beyond), they all share one characteristic: they end in Santiago de Compostela. (Quick note: I know that some pilgrims, myself included, continue on to Muxía or Finisterre after reaching Santiago. While this is an option, Santiago remains the primary endpoint).

1. Every year, you will have reasons not to do it

It could be the start of a master’s program, a new job, a friend’s wedding, a problematic event, or the renovation of your house. Every year, you’ll have one or more reasons not to go. Unfortunately, these reasons are not excuses. In my view, the main difficulty of the Camino is simply starting. Everything else comes second.

2. The fairness of the Camino

When I did my first Camino, there was only one option: the French Way (El Camino Francès) from St. Jean Pied-de-Port. And there was only one way to do it: with a mochila (backpack) on my shoulders, covering as many kilometers as possible, and sleeping in a tent or in the albergues (hostels). I was skeptical of pilgrims who took shorter routes, sent their backpacks ahead, or stayed in luxurious hotels with private rooms.

Over the years, I’ve tried to become less judgmental and have come to appreciate that there are many ways to experience the Camino.

If you want to start from your home, walk barefoot, and embrace poverty—go for it. If you want to walk less than 100 kilometers, send your backpack ahead, and take a few cabs because you’re tired—that’s still better than nothing.

But remember, the Camino is very fair. The more you give, the more you get. Simple as that.

3. Even if you find inner peace, it won’t last

A couple of times, I’ve reached that moment that everyone searches for: inner peace. The first time, it lasted a couple of weeks. The second time, just one week. So yes, I’ve been blessed enough to find inner peace. What I underestimated, however, is that inner peace is not static. It’s dynamic, and it doesn’t last forever.

In any case, go for it. It’s a worthy pursuit.

4. Expectations are the root of all evil

This quote, often wrongly attributed to Shakespeare, has sounded like a mantra all my life, and it applies well to the Camino. You prepare with a specific scenario in mind (a route, places to stay, things to buy, etc.), and then everything goes awry.

Unfortunately, putting this piece of wisdom into practice has always been harder than it seems.

5. The beauty of the end

The beauty of the Camino is that it ends. It seems like a paradox, but there’s something beautiful about calling it a day and going back home to practice everything you’ve learned. Over the years, I have seen many pilgrims staying in Fisterra or Santiago de Compostela for weeks, walking endlessly, or walking back home to extend the Camino lifestyle as much as possible.

I still consider the Camino the best possible teacher, but if you’re unable to incorporate something you’ve learned on the road into your daily routine, there’s something missing in the equation.

6. All Caminos lead to Santiago

You can start wherever you want, even from your home. That’s not important. What’s important is where you end. Not reaching Santiago de Compostela feels like something is missing. And yes, hiking across the Galician hills is beautiful, but it would be nothing without reaching the Cathedral and hugging the big statue of the apostle Santiago (St. James). Because that hug represents forgiveness—to others and to yourself—for everything you have done or received.

Quite helpful, I must say.

7. Discomfort sucks, but it’s useful

I don’t like discomfort. I don’t like waking up early in the morning, sleeping in albergues with 5 or 10 people snoring and starting to walk at different times. I don’t like having three outfits to wash daily and a single pair of shoes. I don’t like synthetic towels. I don’t like the Spanish summer heat. I don’t like using ziplock bags for my daily care items to save the weight of a toiletry bag. Believe me, I could go on for hours about all the things I don’t like. But one thing is for sure: discomfort is useful. The more you learn to adapt, the better you’ll be able to manage unexpected events, whether it’s a partner leaving you, a family issue, or a cash flow problem.

At the end of the day, Caesar didn’t choose for battle the soldiers accustomed to eating three times a day, but those used to fasting and starving.

8. The Camino Shaker

One of the hidden characteristics of the Camino is what I call the “Camino Shaker.” The Camino puts everything into question: your life, your beliefs, your relationships, your job, your choices. It’s not just a spiritual journey or a life experience; it’s a way to challenge what you know, what you’ve learned, and how you live. This is why the mental aspect is—at least to me—far harder than the physical one. But it’s also the reason why some of us return multiple times. Once you realize that knowing (or finding) yourself is a never-ending journey, you truly want to walk that path, peeling back the layers, one by one. So yeah, the Marco of the first Camino isn’t the Marco of the tenth one. And despite the fact that I’ve learned what my talents are and what my voice is in the world, I still think there’s plenty of space to learn more. The journey has only begun.

9. One Camino at a time

When I finished my first Camino, I was sure I wouldn’t go back on the road. But, as you know, life doesn’t always go as planned.

What surprised me the most is that if I had thought about doing 10 Caminos, I’m quite confident I wouldn’t have completed a single one.

I wish I could have applied this approach to my work and personal life...

10. Your rhythm

I’ve done Caminos alone and Caminos with other people (whether girlfriends or friends). Some people do Caminos with family members or while volunteering.

Each option has its pros and cons. If you do it alone, you’ll know yourself better; if you do it with others, you’ll learn that 1 plus 1 makes 3. Needless to say, managing your rhythm (and syncing with others’ rhythms) is one of the hardest parts, but it’s also one of the most useful in daily life. How would life be if we could all vibrate at the same frequency?

Bonus Lesson: You won’t finish without help

It could be a dramatic event back home, a work emergency, a physical issue, or a natural disaster. There are some events that are, at least from a theoretical perspective, far beyond our control. So, while our efforts may be crucial to completing the journey, it would be excessive to give ourselves all the credit. Perhaps we need someone (call it God, the universe, or your guardian angel) helping us along the way.

At the end of the day, the more we open our senses, the less alone we’ll feel on the path.