I thought I couldn't walk Europe's famous Camino pilgrimage because of my chronic condition. New accessibility efforts changed that.

I've hiked hundreds of trails around the world and even trekked across an entire country. But until recently, I had never tried one of the world's most famous pilgrimages: the Camino de Santiago .

The network of routes has various starting points in Spain, France and Portugal, and most end at the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain. I had assumed the pilgrimage was primarily for devout Catholics and hardcore hikers who could schlep giant packs for days across changing terrain. So as a traveler with no ties to Catholicism plus a rare health condition that requires support, I was worried I'd be out of place or unwelcome. 

Thankfully, my concerns dissipated as quickly as the morning fog on the day that I first set foot on the Camino in the coastal city of Vigo, Spain. Sure, athletes focused on clocking miles breezed by me, and I encountered plenty of churches and Catholic pilgrims along the way.

But I also met people with a wide range of beliefs, intentions and abilities. It turns out the Camino is much more inclusive than I imagined — particularly in Galicia, where diversity is celebrated, hospitality is central to the culture and local organizations and businesses actively collaborate to ensure the experience is accessible to all.

If the pilgrimage is on your wish list but accessibility concerns have held you back, this is your sign to consider the Camino, especially right now. Here's why.

---

What is the Camino de Santiago? 

The Camino de Santiago, also known as "The Way of St. James," is a network of historic pilgrimage routes that converge at the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, where, according to tradition, the tomb of St. James is located. Although most routes share this endpoint, the experience of getting there is unique to each path — due to the varied terrain, weather and culture — and to each pilgrim.

There are 10 official routes and numerous secondary paths, historic branches and local variants linking the trails together. You can choose to walk a section, multiple sections or an entire route. If you want to receive the official Compostela certificate on arrival in Santiago de Compostela, you must complete at least 100 km (62 miles) on foot or 200 km (124 miles) by bike. 

As a result, many pilgrims start their journey at least 100 km from Santiago. The final stretch of the French Way , from Sarria to Santiago, is the most popular choice for first-timers; it's well-marked, with gentle terrain and plenty of accommodations and services along the way. On my recent trip, I walked part of another popular path, the Vigo-to-Santiago section of the Portuguese Way , where my days were filled with coastal views, forest strolls and fresh seafood shared with fellow pilgrims.

The Camino is busiest from May to October. The winter months from November through February are much colder and quieter, and many hotels and services shut down completely (though availability varies by route and town). The Camino slowly comes alive again in the spring as hotels, restaurants and other services reopen around mid-March and pilgrim numbers increase heading into peak season.

I was there in early September. It was noticeably busy in some places, with long lines at cafes and bathrooms, but much of the trail still felt quiet. Aside from rain on arrival, the weather was sunny and pleasant for walking, with cool mornings and warm but not oppressively hot days.

A new evolution for a historic pilgrimage

From 9th-century monks and monarchs to present-day pilgrims and athletes, people have trod these trails for more than a thousand years. Even after all this time, interest isn't waning. It's growing. 

According to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago de Compostela, more than 556,000 people have already received the Compostela certificate this year — the highest on record, surpassing last year's record-breaking 530,717. (These numbers don't account for people, like me, who walked less than 100 km and didn't register their arrival at the Pilgrim's Office. The actual number of pilgrims was estimated to be 1.5 million in 2025.) 

But the varied terrain and lack of clarity on accessible accommodations, services and routes have made it difficult for travelers with disabilities (and for some, largely impossible). That is, until now. Impulsa Igualdad , one of the leading organizations in Spain that advocates for people with disabilities, and its travel platform, TUR4all , are collaborating with local and national governments and service providers to change that. 

The experts at Impulsa Igualdad have more than 30 years of experience — they understand the needs of people with disabilities, so they know what to look for when assessing routes and providers, and how to create accessible experiences to offer through TUR4all. Meanwhile, the regional government of Galicia and the tourism board of Galicia are improving infrastructure, and Spain's national tourism organization is connecting international audiences to these experiences. "The first barrier to accessible tourism is information," says María Triñanes Costa, a specialist in accessible tourism and inclusive culture at TUR4all. These groups are working together to bridge that gap. 

The Accessible Camino, and why it matters for travelers like me

How can old pilgrimage routes that traverse historic villages, modern highways, rugged mountains and rural farmlands possibly be adapted? Honestly, I had my doubts. But once I arrived in Galicia, I realized Impulsa Igualdad and its partners are not trying to change the physical path. Instead, they're identifying ways to empower travelers with disabilities to experience it. 

For example, this can mean providing travelers who are blind or have low vision with verbal descriptions, distance and direction cues and personalized activities that emphasize the sounds, textures, aromas and traditions along the Camino. For travelers with reduced mobility, adaptations can include shorter walks, luggage transfers and accessible transportation.

For wheelchair users, TUR4all chooses sections with suitable surfaces and gradients, arranges accessible transportation, identifies accommodations with appropriate facilities and coordinates assistance and specialized equipment when needed. For travelers with intellectual disabilities or cognitive accessibility needs, TUR4all can adapt the itinerary structure, establish predictable schedules and organize personalized support. 

Each traveler's needs and interests are different, so the adaptations depend on the individual, but the aim is the same.

"What matters most is preserving the essence of the Camino experience for them: the landscapes, the villages, the gastronomy, the encounters with other pilgrims and, ultimately, the emotion of arriving in Santiago de Compostela," says Miguel Carrasco, chief operating officer of TUR4all Travel. "The objective is to allow travelers to enjoy the Camino at a pace that suits their abilities and preferences."

In my case, I have a rare neurological condition with symptoms that mimic a stroke. Preventing an attack requires avoiding triggers — such as dehydration, exhaustion, extreme temperatures, stress, bright lights and certain foods — as much as possible. Adaptations for me included luggage transfers to reduce unnecessary stress on the body; itinerary adjustments to ensure adequate shade and breaks; reservations at restaurants that accommodate dietary needs; and, most importantly, a knowledgeable Galician guide who knew exactly what services were available at every stage and had transportation on call in case of an emergency.

All of these things made it possible for me to safely do something I never imagined I'd have the chance to do: walk in the footsteps of millions before me along the historic Camino. 

As a traveler with a condition that's not immediately visible, I'm often met with criticism and judgment, especially in adventure travel and the outdoors. So it was encouraging to find that the Camino is not about proving anything to anyone. It's not about how much you can carry or how fast and far you can walk. In fact, it's the opposite. Slowing down created space for some of my favorite moments, like nibbling fresh figs plucked from a tree with my TUR4all Travel guide, Ezra Vázquez, and reading tiny scrolls we received at one of the churches.

The Camino is also not reserved only for those who subscribe to any specific religion. The pilgrimage offers a chance for self-reflection, connection (with your inner world as well as the land, culture, history, spirituality and people) and, ultimately, a sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself. It's for everyone . "We don't believe there should be just one way to experience the Camino," Vázquez says. "We believe there should be opportunities for everyone to find their own Camino."