Should you walk alone on the Camino de Santiago or in a group? Not an easy decision – but I have a clear idea.
Whether someone wants to travel alone or in a group is a very personal decision. There are pros and cons to both. I can only report my very personal preferences here.
Personally, I like to walk the Camino alone. For me, a pilgrimage means focusing on my needs, on my (life) questions, my fears and hopes. I like to seal off the often noisy outside world and immerse myself in the silence of the landscape. This sharpens the focus of the inner world as well as the subtleties of the outer environment. The small butterfly by the side of the road, the grain swaying in the wind or the decorations on a Romanesque church are all easily overlooked when you are traveling in a group.
Walking in a group is a distraction
When hiking in a group, it’s easy to chatter the day away, ignore the environment and overlook your own questions or issues which come to the surface during the pilgrimage.
I’ve noticed many people who are traveling with a fixed group tend to be less open to meeting other pilgrims. Despite my preference for walking alone, the exchange with people from all over the world is an important part of the journey. Often I walk with other pilgrims for a few hours or maybe even a few days. But at some point the desire to move on alone awakens again.
It also happened that I fell head over heels in love. But that’s another story! 😉
The infrastructure along the Camino – places to sleep, eat, and shop – is so good that solo pilgrims can travel easily without any problems.
Setting off alone is not easy for many people. But have courage: it is a wonderful experience!
