With Lonely Planet's new Partir collection, embark on the extraordinary Camino de Santiago: the Camino Francés! From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Cape Finisterre, via, of course, Santiago de Compostela, follow in the footsteps of seasoned hiking authors and prepare for an exceptional experience.
A spiritual quest, a sporting challenge... the reasons for embarking on the Camino de Santiago, like the profiles of the walkers, are varied. This Lonely Planet guide is here to help you prepare and walk at your own pace.
Written by 7 authors who are experienced hikers and have already walked the Camino Francés as well as other routes leading to Santiago de Compostela. Throughout the guide, they share their vision of the Camino and their advice for preparing and experiencing this extraordinary journey yourself.
The guide describes, step by step, the nearly 800 km of the Camino Francés which crosses the Pyrenees from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, then Navarre, La Rioja, Castile and León, the Meseta before reaching Galicia and Santiago de Compostela. The section from Santiago de Compostela to Cape Finisterre (Camino de Fisterra) is also described step by step.
Each stage is presented with a route map, the main points of interest, recommendations for food and lodging, and advice from hikers met along the way or the authors themselves.
Thematic essays complement these chapters and shed light on specific aspects of this route (myths and legends in the Basque Country, pilgrims and values encountered on the Camino, street art, chapels...).
All the keys to understanding what makes the Camino de Santiago so successful: the history of this pilgrimage, the multitude of landscapes crossed, the animals that can be observed, the gastronomy...
Also discover other routes leading to Compostela, such as the Chemin du Puy-en-Velay leading to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or the Camino Portugués starting from Lisbon... For each of these routes, a general description of the itinerary, complemented by the total number of kilometers and the difficulty.
Clear maps with the route and essential points, the altimetric profile of the stages (very practical for anticipating sections with more elevation gain), maps of the main cities with their points of interest. And a beautiful first fold-out and illustrated map that sets the tone for this guide.
And of course, all the practical information for organizing your journey and embarking on this beautiful adventure yourself (organizing your backpack, physical preparation, obtaining the credencial, signage...).
In short, a beautiful roadbook with rounded corner pages and a practical format, to take with you on the Camino de Santiago.
