Camino de Santiago Off the Beaten Path

Looking for long-distance hiking buddies for a less-traveled section of the Camino de Santiago from the Somport Pass, at the French border in the central Pyrenees, through northern Aragón. This isn’t an organized group hike but a call for some independent, low maintenance company. Walk 12-14 miles a day through beautiful landscapes, past medieval churches, ruined castles, and tiny villages in this sparsely populated and largely untouristed part of Spain.  Looking for independent walkers to join me for as much or as little as you like: from Somport it’s 7 or 8 days of hiking to the environs of Pamplona where the Aragonese Camino joins the famous main pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Pamplona (famous for the July annual running of the bulls) is a good endpoint with train and bus connections around Spain (it’s close to Bilbao and San Sebastián) or into southwestern France. Or you can continue on the main Camino de Santiago for a long as you care to: Burgos (8 more days’ walk), León (15 days) and Santiago de Compostela (28 days) for the full pilgrimage option!

Only a few sections of some steep terrain the first few days from the Pyrenees, but I am rating this moderate to strenuous because it requires you to be in very good hiking shape in order to cover 12 miles a day or more.

Traveling very light: no need for camping equipment. You pay all your own expenses. Sleep in pilgrim hostels (€5 to 15/bed/nt) or small guest houses (€30-50/nt/rm). Food estimate €25-30/day. Happy to help you organize accommodations and advise on what to carry.