Camino Daily Diary

Over the previous evening, my fellow pilgrims had discussed the benefits of easing gently into the first morning of a trail. It’s a marathon, not a race. We had a …
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Life as a solo long-distance hiker can be isolating. Lengthy stretches of time walking in solitude can detach you from the outside world. However, after just 36 hours on the …
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Beginning a long-distance trail as a solo hiker can be daunting—you never know what, or who, you will bump into. However, Camino Francés is built a little differently. With a …
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Long-distance hikers like envisioning their upcoming trails. The mere thought of mountains, forests, farmland or seaside scenery is enough to inflame the senses; the Camino Francés has more uplifting material …
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By the time I began the Camino Francés, I had travelled internationally for seven adventurous months. I’d snowboarded Sweden’s Åre mountains, crossed the US on a continental train ride, surfed …
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Many pilgrims begin their Camino in search of enlightenment, and it’s easy to see why—the ancient road to Santiago is entwined with sacred history, celebrated artifacts and uplifting natural beauty. …
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A long-distance adventure requires certain basics to be done right; hikers must be in shape, pack smart, have an itinerary in mind and notify others of your plans, just to name …
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The repetitive nature of long-distance hiking can disrupt the mental stability of even the most level-headed trekker – left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot; the routine will question …
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Before commencing my Camino, I approached long-distance hiking as a generally isolated exercise. My solo hike along South Australia’s Heysen Trail taught me that uninterrupted periods locked in my own head …
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I’d seen more wheat fields in the last week than I had in the previous 30 years of living in and around South Australia’s agricultural hub of the Barossa Valley. …
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