A packing list and photo tour of the Camino de Santiago

Three years ago today, I packed my backpack and got my passport stamped for my first trip ever outside of the US for the Camino de Santiago.

Over the next 32 days it took us to walk 500 miles across Spain, we met the most amazing people along the way. I found a love for chocolate croissants, Bueno Bars, cows and typically ended my days with a cold Coca-Cola and Chips Ahoy (how American.)

Our first day consisted of feeling completely out of shape, 15 miles, pouring rain, wind that made you feel like you’d be thrown off the mountain, sleeping in a shipping container box, and fish for dinner that looked like it came straight off the hook. Whattt was I doing?!

We somehow managed to walk across all of Spain only following yellow arrows. Crazy. I learned how to sleep in a room with dozens and dozens of people snoring, used socks as gloves, learned how to wash my underwear and socks when I showered and used community bathrooms with men and women. Most days consisted of 15 miles, but we had a few 25-mile days when the town we planned to stay in had no room.

If you need to add something big to the bucket list, The Camino de Santiago was one of the coolest experiences I’ve EVER had. I’d be happy to help if anyone has any questions about it! DO IT.

Camino De Santiago Packing List

• Marmot rain jacket
• Melezana fleece (my favorite thing to have)
• 1 pair of quick dry shorts
• 1 long sleeve quick dry
• 1 quick dry tank
• 1 pair of capri yoga pants
• 1 pair of full-length yoga pants – I lived in these
• Prana Halle pant – wore pretty often. Having pocks was a nice option
• Hiking poles – I sucked at these. I probably only used 4 days. When I needed them they were perfect, but most of the time they sat in my backpack
• Quick dry towel. I really hate the feeling of these – I think I ended up stealing a full-size towel somewhere along the way and just used that. ????
• 2 Buffs – perfect for throwing the hair up
• Salomon x-mission shoe – these shoes were PERFECT
• Tevas for after the day was done (I ended up buying a pair of chacos after the trip which I wish I would have had.)
• 3 pair of darn tough socks (the best socks)
• 1 pair of REI wool socks – I used these for sleeping in and wearing around when we were done for the day – super nice to always have a clean pair

• REI half dome – split between three girls. If I did it again, I wouldn’t bring a tent. It DID come in handy ONE night when the town was completely full and we didn’t want to cheat and get a taxi to the next town. We found an Albergue that let us pitch it in their backyard. Thank the heavens.
• iPad – perfect for reading books when traveling after we finished the Camino
• Sleeping pad – wouldn’t use next time, but was convenient when it was an emergency.
• 45-degree sleeping bag

Things I wish I would have had

• A bottle of nail polish. ???? Sometimes you just need something to make you feel good about yourself after walking 15 miles a day for 32 days.
• Crocks. Perfect for the shower/bathroom, they dry quickly and are super fashionable (sarcasm.)

Camino de Santiago | The French Way

*All pictures taken on whatever cool iPhone was out in 2015..