Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

© Justin Foulkes | Lonely Planet
another pilgrim on the Camino
One week into the month-long 490-mile (790km) walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-
Port in the French Pyrenees across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela in
Galicia, the days had developed a familiar rhythm.
© Justin Foulkes | Lonely Planet
the way to Santiago de Compostela is well trodden
Mornings started early, waking in a bunkbed to the sound of rustling plastic,
backpack zipping and heavy footsteps as the first pilgrims headed out at sunrise.
Throwing my pyjamas into my rucksack, I would follow the yellow arrow waymarkers
out of town, walking for an hour or so until I saw somewhere to stop for coffee and
tortilla. Usually, I would pass the same people at around the same time each
morning, walkers with enough patience to pause and take in the scenery around
them. That first week I was too focused on reaching the next destination to stop
and explore the pretty villages I passed through. I would keep walking with as few
breaks as possible until I reached the town where I planned to spend the night,
hiking for about 16–20 miles (25–35km) a day.