Walking holidays are becoming more and more popular since we, as a society, are increasingly craving free time from our busy lifestyles and a digital decleanse. Getting back in touch with nature during a walking holiday is a great way to do this. Camino de Santiago routes, in particular, are getting a lot of attention, as they are not only historically significant and include many stunning attractions but are well-established and have great infrastructure.
Not only that, planning a Camino walking holiday has never been more simple, with online services like Orbis Ways organising everything for you, including transport, accommodation, maps, timelines of your trip and so on. All you have to do is show up and have fun! So, if you’re planning to try your hand at a walking holiday, here’s some great tips on how to prepare for it.
Choose a suitable route
The difficulty of your walking holiday will depend highly on the route you have chosen. For instance, when it comes to Camino de Santiago, the more beginner-friendly routes are typically considered to be Camino Frances and Camino Portuguese, while Camino Nortes or Camino Primitivo are more challenging. The difficulty levels are measured by the length of the route, the number of steep inclines and declines, the infrastructure, weather conditions and other factors. So make sure the route you choose is suitable to your preferences and your fitness levels.
Go on training walks
Unless you are used to walking long distances regularly, you will most likely need to do a bit of preparation for it in terms of fitness. Even if your route is considered beginner-friendly, with many breaks scheduled and relatively flat paths, walking 5-6 hours a day for a week straight will feel challenging. Your legs and feet may ache and you will feel generally tired. Getting in the habit of walking regularly before your holiday (to and from work, for example) will help you be better prepared for this.
Get equipped
Again, the equipment you need will depend highly on what kind of walking route you are tacking. For most beginners, there is no need to buy expensive specialist tools. However, you will need to invest in some good walking shoes (boots or trainers), comfortable and sweat-proof clothing, padded socks to avoid blisters and a good quality backpack (ideally with back support), since you will be carrying all of your belongings with you.
Any other clothing items will be based on the weather conditions: e.g. if it’s likely to rain or be windy, be prepared for that too. Also, think about other safety measures, such as a sun cream and a hat, a first-aid kit for basic injuries or pain management, a refillable water bottle and so on..
Stock up on healthy snacks
During your walking holiday, you will have many opportunities to stop for breaks and enjoy some delicious local food. However, you are likely to be walking for many hours in between your breakfast and dinner without eating – that is probably for the best, given that a big meal in the middle of the day could make you feel sluggish while you digest it. However, to keep your energy levels up, you should always have some healthy snacks with you.
Try to avoid any chocolate bars or other sugary snacks, as those will spike your sugar levels up only to make your energy crash a short while later. The best options would be healthy protein and granola bars, nuts (trail mix, for instance), fresh fruit or salad pouches. Most importantly, keep hydrated at all times! If your walking holiday is taking place in a hot country particularly, drinking plenty of water is a must.