This amazing Spanish route takes you through the most beautiful coastlines of the Basque country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, starting right on the border with France - in Irun.

"I don't know why, but I felt that I needed it - just myself and my backpack"

In this way, pilgrims strive to calmly collect their thoughts, meditate and overcome themselves. Being a believer, one travels along the path of a pilgrim who finally makes his way to Santiago de Compostela, where the sanctuary of St. James. Why exactly in this place? Legend has it that the tomb of the said apostle was found there. At the same time, a great light appeared in the sky and a shower of stars fell. This place was called Campus Stellae, which in Spanish means the field of stars. Either way, the path is followed by both believers and those who simply seek the truth within themselves.

I asked two people - one French Catholic I met two years ago on the trail and a Spanish teacher - halfway there, about the reason for their pilgrimage.

- Nastya: The main reason for my Camino trip was to find myself. I had some problems with my parents, I didn't know what to do with my life. Whether to graduate from medicine or not. I also broke up with my boyfriend, we were together for 2 years. I just wanted to find my way. Decide about my life who I am at all. I needed silence to understand who I need - parents or a boyfriend. Finding new people ... I don't know, but I just felt that I needed it - just myself and my backpack - says Nastya, who traveled the entire Camino de Norte tour.

- Adre: When I was 21 and passed my exams, I officially became an employee in Spain. Then I decided to go on the Camino tour to decide what work to do in my life.

How do you feel when you are tired of walking? For example, after a distance of 30 km? However, it is quite a long trail.

- Nastya: These were my feelings only at the beginning. Back then, I just continued walking the trail. These were the first emotions. Then I fell in love with this trail. I started to get to know myself. This trail gives you what you need. If you want to be alone and need silence - you don't meet people. Do you want to talk to someone - you see amazing people with whom you can connect. Do you want to drink water - someone suddenly gives you water. And so on.

- Adre: Every day I have moments of hopelessness, fatigue, pain ... but I just keep going ahead. I have my goal and I'm going for it.

When you are hitting the trail and sleeping in hostels do you always have to book them in advance? Recently, it was difficult for me to find accommodation in a city in the north of Spain due to restrictions related to the coronavirus.

- Andre: I only stay in those for pilgrims (alberque de peregrinos) that are reserved for them. I make reservations in advance, just in case, but there are days like today when I get back up one or two days before.

Do you need to have a tent with you?

- Nastya: I didn't take it with me. There're a lot of alberques on the trail. These are such small houses. They usually have different prices, often 2-5 euros - some are even free of charge. This year, however, I will take the tent with me, because now they are closed due to quarantine (due to the lockdown of Spain in April 2021).

The Way of St. James has many different routes. Camino de Santiago is just one of them. It may also be a good idea to start your journey following the Camino Vasco del Interior trail, known as well as Camino Vía de Bayona, which Nastya did. This is the route of the ancient Camino de Santiago trail. Below the map ↓