You shouldn’t be afraid of the dogs on the Camino. You will most likely hear dogs bark most days while walking. Having a dog in the yard is very normal, at least in Galicia. 99% of them are closed in or tied up. Some time (one or two times in a 30 days camino) the smaller dogs run loose, and they may come over and smell you and then just move on. They don’t attack, just stay calm. If you are really nervous about them, just bring a simple stick, dog whistles or pepper spray with you.

Stamps are available in many places along the routes: in churches, albergues, hostales, town halls (ayuntamientos), bars, restaurants and many other places. Basicly stamps are for free. Please note, 2 stamps needed every day in the last 100kms!

It is important to train before your Camino. Make sure your shoes are broken with your trekking socks. Some pilgrims do not train and they are the ones who have major problems, blisters, knee problems and shin splints at the beginning of their Camino. If you have little training post your backpack forward to your next destination. This gives you some time to get used to walking.

Weight is a key question on the Camino. A sleeping liner seems to be a much better solution with its 200-300 g weight than a 600-700g sleeping bag. From the middle of June until middle of September, when the outside temperature is always above 30 C travel liner is adequate. Don’t forget that there are no air-conditions in the albergues, so summer nights are too warm to sleep in a sleeping bag. In autum, winter and spring always take a sleeping bag with you but choose the lighter version (600-700 g) which is comfortable between 10 and 20 C. All the albergues has heating, so the temperature never goes below 10 C.

Nowadays you can find wi-fi in more than half of the albergues. If they have no wi-fi, they usually have a computer with internet access. Nearly all small towns have libraries with free internet access. In bigger towns there is a free wi-fi zone on the main square (Pamplona, Burgos, Leon), and of course you can visit some restaurants and bars which offer free wi-fi.

Glasses are more practical on the Camino, but you can also easily use your contact lenses on your way, only you should be concerned about the “flying dust” which is very painful when it gets into your eye or scrubs your eyes and the lenses. Wear soft contacts lenses that you can replace monthly, but take them out at night. Have a few extra pairs just in case. Don’t miss the travel size lens solution too. Weight and space is minimal.

1. At the first sign or feeling of a blister, stop and remove your boot and sock.
2. If not a large blister apply a moleskin (Compeed or Salvequick blister care) which is an adhesive rubber skin. This will pad the blister and prevent you experiencing further discomfort!
3. If large blister has formed, take a needle and sterilise it with alcohol or fire. Attach some thread through needle not actually making a knot in the thread.
4. Pierce blister with the needle stringing thread through blister at 2 carefully selected points.
5. Drain the blister until all fluid has been removed, then tie a knot in thread. This will soak up any excess of remaining fluid in blister.
6. Apply disinfectant generously to all over the blister (betadine) as this will prevent nasty infections.
7. Place a small dressing on the blister and finally cover it with surgical tape on to the skin. Be generous with the tape and stick it well and tight ensuring that the whole dressing is covered.
8. Carefully put on your sock so as not to disturb the dressing and gently put on your hiking boot.

Your First Aid Pack should therefore include all the following items : Scissors, Surgical Tape, Betadine, Dressing Pads, Moleskin, Needle & Thread

No, they don’t. The only requirement to be a Pilgrim and to stay in albergues is to have a Credential (pilgrim’s passport) what you can get in the Pilgrim’s office or in bigger albergues.

Instead of sending your unnecessary staff home for an unreasonably high fee, you may also send them ahead to one of the Post Offices in Santiago. The nearest Post Office (Correos) to the Cathedral is: Lista de Correos Travesa de Fonseca 15705 Santiago de Compostela Spain Please note that the Post Office will only keep your package for 30 days!

Pamplona – Roncesvalles bus service: In winter season (from 1st September until 30th June)

• Monday-Friday: departs at 18:00 p.m.
• Saturdays: departs at 16:00 p.m.
• Sundays and holidays: no service

In summer season (from 1st July until 31st August)

• Monday-Friday: departs at 10:00 a.m. and 18:00 p.m.
• Saturdays: departs at 10:00 a.m. and 16:00 p.m.
• Sundays and holidays: no service

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes Bus leaves from the main bus station of Pamplona (tickets can be purchased there) Ticket prices: 6 EUR/person, 6 EUR/bicycle More info: http://www.autocaresartieda.com/?scc=roncesvalles