In 2013 Andrea Guzzoletti walked 1000 kms across Spain last summer following the path known as the CAMINO DE SANTIAGO, also known by the English names, WAY OF ST. JAMES, ST. JAMES’S WAY, ST. JAMES’S PATH, ST. JAMES’S TRAIL, ROUTE OF SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, and ROAD TO SANTIAGO, the name of any of the pilgrimage routes (most commonly the Camino Francés or French route) to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried.
In 2014 he was once again on the road walking the 1200 kms of The VÍA DE LA PLATA (Silver Way) or RUTA DE LA PLATA (Silver Route) which is an ancient commercial and pilgrimage path that crosses the west of Spain from Sevile in the South
Another year has gone past and Andrea leaves Barga today on the first leg of a voyage which should end, if all goes well, in four, maybe five weeks at Santiago and this time he is taking the Camino del Norte – The Northern Route – 825km along Spains north coast
Of the many routes used by pilgrims to the reputed burial-place of St James at Santiago de Compostela, the Camino del Norte is one of the less heavily-populated but arguably, at least in its western reaches, the most beautiful. Stunning coastal and mountain scenery carry this route some 825km along Spains north coast, starting at Irun, near the French border and passing through the western Basque, Guernica, Bilbao, Santander, Llanes, skirting the foothills of one of Europes great mountain wildernesses, the heavily-protected Picos de Europa and on along the coast before it swings inland through the hills of Galicia.
This is definitely a route for the more hardy walker, being both prone to rain, fog and generally harsh weather conditions dictated by its situation on the Bay of Biscay, and involving some steep climbs. It rewards with breathtaking vistas and uncrowded architectural gems at pretty much every corner, while on many stretches one can go the best part of a day without being troubled by other people.
Andrea talking (in Italiano) about the Camino Santiago del Norte the day before he left Barga
All of Andrea’s articles concerning his past walks along the Camino Santiago can be seen here
