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Magic Hill Holidays

For camino-lovers from camino-lovers.

Most Popular Camino Routes

• Northern Way

• Portuguese Way

• Finisterre Way

For Camino-lovers from Camino-lovers

Magic Hill Holidays is an Irish Responsible Travel Camino company.   Founded by Camino-lovers, we believe in providing sustainable tourism trips while connecting the traveller with authentic culture, heritage and the local cuisine of these regions. By promoting slow tourism projects, with an emphasis on tourism dispersal, we are contributing to the development of rural communities and preserving the environment (low carbon trips.)

As a Camino Specialist Operator, we provide bespoke, organised and hassle free camino trips for solo travellers, couples, families and small groups. We take care of all the logistics on the Camino,   high quality accommodation, daily luggage transfers, pilgrim’s passport, detailed walking notes, useful tips about hiking, cultural and historical information about the regions you are visiting as well as linking you with the best local cuisine options along each route. For peace of mind we provide 24 hour phone assistance and transport to your accommodation in case of emergency.

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Camino de santiago tours.

Experience the most iconic pilgrim route in the world with us on our Camino de Santiago tours, available from Ireland. Whether you want a healthy challenge, to walk it for a personal journey, a new social experience or to simply get a flavour of the famous pilgrimage; you'll uncover the best pathways with us on a guided walking tour of the Camino de Santiago.

Camino de Santiago Guided Tours

There are many Camino de Santiago routes coming from different points across Europe; the most popular come from France, Portugal and different parts of Spain, each with its own unique history.

We offer three different, but equally incredible, Camino de Santiago guided tours on popular Camino routes.

The most famous route today is the so-called French Way, which developed as the main way to Santiago after the 10th century, with towns and villages developing along the way to host the pilgrims. Two of our Camino holidays take on varying parts of the French Way and another trekking the Portuguese Coastal Way.

Many people embark on the Camino, even if they are not religious, as it's more than a pilgrimage. It's an unforgettable walking adventure, a way to connect with nature and it offers a feeling of tranquillity. We offer a range of Camino de Santiago walking holidays to suit various levels of ability and fitness.

Our Camino de Santiago guided tours from Ireland include return flights, accommodation, ground transfers and walking tours with an expert local guide.

Our Camino Holidays from Ireland

€1,599pp €1,559 pp

Footsteps of the Camino de Santiago Walking Holiday

Fully Guided

Flights & Transfers

Camino de Santiago Walking Holiday – The French Way

Camino de Santiago Walking Holiday - The Portuguese Coastal Way

Top Things To See When Hiking The Camino de Santiago

The Portuguese Way

This section of the Camino de Santiago follows the Atlantic Coast from the elegant seaside town of Baiona, located in the northwest of Spain, towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santiago de Compostela. Discover the wild Atlantic beauty and sandy beaches of Galicia as you spend three days walking along the coastline before heading inland through woodlands and small villages.

Rioja Region

For wine lovers, a visit to the vineyards in the Rioja region is included as part of our Footsteps of the Camino holiday. It is a fantastic way to soak up the atmosphere of the Spanish countryside and an ideal opportunity to relax and unwind after a day of walking along the Camino de Santiago.

The French Way

Our walking section of the Camino de Santiago starts in Sarria and covers the last 100km of the Camino Francés, the minimum required to apply for your Compostela certificate. The Camino will take you across woodlands, farmland and rustic hamlets, following tracks and paths lined by granite stone walls. The green rolling landscape of Galicia is part of each day’s walk, until you approach your final destination: the mythical city of Santiago de Compostela.

Bay Of Vigo

As you walk along the coastal section of The Portuguese Way, you will have striking views out across the Bay of Vigo. Not only was the bay area one of the settings for Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, it was also the site of the Battle of Vigo Bay which was fought between Anglo-Dutch and Franco-Spanish forces in 1702.

Camino Walking Holidays & Tours

Millions have walked the Camino de Santiago, for spiritual or religious reasons, to gain inspiration, to experience the unique natural landscape or for the fascinating culture. Walking along the Camino de Santiago with a group is perfect for those curious to experience this famous pilgrimage route and have the comfort of knowing that our expert walking guide will be with you all the way to share their insights and highlights of the Camino. There is nothing like the sense of accomplishment you feel after the end of a day on the Camino, so lace up those walking boots and join us on this adventure. 

Camino de Santiago Tour Features

• Take a walking tour of Bilbao and visit the Guggenheim Museum.
• Experience incredible landscapes, historic towns and woodlands as you trek the Camino.
• Sample some of Rioja’s famous red wine on a guided winery tour.
• Walk the world’s most famous pilgrimage with like-minded people.
• Discover ancient churches, quaint villages & authentic tapas spots along the Camino route.

Camino de Santiago Walking Holiday FAQS

How fit do i need to be to walk the camino.

For our Footsteps of the Camino tour, you need to be reasonably fit with some walking experience. There will be four walking days with an average distance of 11KM per day.  For the Last 100KM and The Portuguese Coastal Way Camino tours you need to have a good level of fitness and enjoy walking at a fast pace. Some previous hill walking experience is required. A walking day is normally 5-7 hours covering an average walking distance between 14-28KM.

Do I need to carry all my luggage whilst walking the Camino?

No, you just need to take a day backpack. All large suitcases will be transported on the coach.

What should I pack for my Camino walking holiday?

We recommend to pack the following items:

• Walking shoes or boots in mountainous terrain
• Socks for walking (1000 miles socks recommended)
• Hiking trousers. Convertible with zip recommended (No jeans)
• After-hike shoes
• Short-sleeved shirts or T-shirts
• Long sleeved shirt
• Polar fleece
• Underwear (thermal)
• Rain jacket
• Sun hat or cap
• Water bottle
• Extra clothing for cold sensitive individuals
• Plastic bags
• Day bag (15-20 litres)

We would also recommend taking a First aid kit containing:

• Anti-inflammatory cream
• Blister plasters (ie: compede)
• Aspirin/Paracetamol for headaches or other pain
• Antihistamine tablets (for allergies)

What should I carry in my day backpack whilst hiking the Camino?

For your Camino hike we suggest taking the following:

• Sun hat or cap (we recommend wide brimmed hats)
• Small personal first aid kit
• Rain jacket (weather dependent)

How far do I have to walk to get the Camino Certificate?

Whilst anyone can buy a Pilgrim Passport and collect stamps along the way as a souvenir, to truly earn your official  Camino Compostela certificate, you need to have walked more than 100km or cycled more than 200km. You will need to prove this based on the stamps in your Passport and can get the official Compostela Certificate from the Pilgrim’s office in Santiago de Compostela.

What if there is an emergency?

We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.

Reviews, Travel Tips & Advice To Inspire Your Camino Walking Holiday

Travel tips unique experiences, top tips & advice for walking the camino.

• TD active Holidays
• 14 July 2021

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Camino de Santiago Pilgrimages

Marian Pilgrimages, Dublin 38/39 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 00-353-1-8788159 [email protected]

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Walk the Camino with the Original Camino Tour Operator

Our most popular camino tours.

Just like Martin Sheen in "The Way" movie, you can experience the Camino in all its beauty of natural landscape, built heritage, wine, gastronomy and so much more.

Walk the most popular section of the Camino while enjoying a high level of comfort along the way. Qualify also to receive your Pilgrim Certificate.

Walk the last and most popular section of the Camino Portuguese and experience woodlands, villages, farmlands, vineyards and historical towns along the way to Santiago.

Why Follow the Camino?

Take a journey on the world-famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes through Spain and Portugal! Our Camino Planners have a wealth of experience and have been planning walking and cycling holidays on the Way for our loyal customers for over a decade.

At  Follow The Camino , our experts will plan your dream customised Camino de Santiago tour from start to finish, so all you have to do is walk.

Our Camino Tours Holiday packages include:

• Quality Accommodation, with Meals included
• Daily Luggage Transfers
• Detailed Walking Notes & Maps
• 24/7 Emergency Support
• Travel & Transfers Advice
• Online Pre-Departure Briefing
• Official Pilgrim Passport
• Luggage Tag
• Bicycle and Cycling Equipment Hire (when required)
• Airport Transfers (when required)
• Camino Frances
• Camino Portugues
• Camino Portugues Coastal
• Camino del Norte
• Camino Primitivo
• Via de la Plata
• Le Puy Camino
• Camino Finisterre
• Camino Ingles

Why Book With Us?

First camino operator.

Helping people experience the Camino since 2007.

Customer Satisfaction

Thousands of happy clients every year.

Your Mind At Ease

We take the stress out of holiday planning.

We've Got Your Back

24/7 support line to handle any emergencies.

Flexible Travel for Peace of Mind

Your well-being is our top priority. That is why we have gone even further to support you in these changing times.

Flexible Payment

Lock in your trip wit h a deposit and pay the rest later, with no interest or fees. Just make sure you have paid in full by 30 days before your trip is scheduled to start.

Flexible Cancellation

* More than 60 days before the starting date of the holiday: the deposit. * 15 days or more before the starting date of the holiday: 50% of the holiday cost. * 14 days or less before the starting date of the holiday: 100% of holiday cost.

More Fantastic Camino Routes

Dive in and fully immerse yourself in the Camino experience. There are multiple routes to choose from, each with its own unique story to tell. Find yourself on one of the full route journeys.

Starting in vibrant Porto, this route hugs the Atlantic coast before moving in-land to the hilly green Galician countryside and finishing in Santiago de Compostela.

To make the Camino even more accessible to all who wish to walk The Way, we've devised innovative new itineraries that split the Camino up into even shorter daily sections.

Are you looking for something quirky, original or just looking for something different from your Camino? Check out our unique Experience Tours – we have something for everyone!

When you think of the Camino you may not think of this as a luxury trip, but here at Follow the Camino this is exactly what we have designed for our more discerning guests.

If you always dreamed of living the traditional experience on the Camino and with a limited budget, here you go! We have selected a wide range of Walking & Cycling holidays just for you.

Learn more about the Camino

The million-dollar question! With many routes to decide between we break down what you need to consider so you can decide what is doable for you on your Camino journey.

Walking the Camino de Santiago for the first time can make people a little bit nervous, but we are here to help! Follow the Camino are Camino de Santiago and walking holiday experts

From the most popular, Camino Frances, to Camino Del Norte, the most scenic, or the Camino Portuguese, a Cultural Camino - the choices are many.

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Choose A Camino Route

Camiño dos Faros (The Lighthouse Way)

Vía Francigena - Final Stretch

The Fishermen’s Trail

Cycling the French Camino

Cycling the Full Coastal Portuguese Camino

Via Francigena—Crossing Tuscany

The Full Camino - A True Adventure

Fatima Camino – The Tagus Way

The Full Portuguese Coastal

Cities of the Camino

Ruta Maritima

North Camino. Bilbao to Santander

North Camino. San Sebastian to Bilbao

Crossing Galicia

Route of Father Sarmiento

The English Camino

Via de la Plata

Camino Primitivo – Final Stretch

Crossing the Pyrenees

The Finisterre Camino

The Coastal Portuguese-Final Stretch

The Coastal Portuguese - First Stretch

The Original Portuguese-Final Stretch

The French Camino – Final Stretch

Walk the camino for a great cause.

Find Our Caminos

Customize your camino.

Which Camino To Choose: Guided or Self-Guided

Our Charity Partners in 2020: Walk the Camino for a Great Cause

Testimonials.

Thank you for organising a great trip for me to the Camino . The weather was fabulous. All my hotels were great. Juan was very helpful with his advice and I felt that there was someone on the end of the phone/whatsapp if needed.

I will certainly book with your company again.

AVRIL COPITHORNE, French Camino, May 2022

A week ago today we made it to Santiago! It seems like a dream but what an unbelievable lifetime experience. This is what we liked- Your positive attitude and enthusiasm -plus your passion for the Camino was contagious!

Your participation in our group activities be it Mass, prayer service or meals You are very social and allowed us to get to know you as persons.

The accommodations and restaurants you chose were wonderful and gave us a true feeling of Galicia- the food offered was delicious and allowed us to feel connected to the region. We always felt our safety was paramount to you.

Our only suggestion for improvement would be that in the slower group there were times that over an hour would go by before we might see either of you. Thank you so much!

Fondly. (Denver, USA)

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Private transfer, hotels/hostels, pilgrim’s kit, luggage transfer, phone number.

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Camino Walks in Ireland

Home » Camino Walks in Ireland

• January 21, 2023

A visit to Ireland can be a deeply spiritual experience, especially for those lucky enough to walk any of Ireland’s camino walks. We’ve created a comprehensive list of pilgrim paths in Ireland, including our top choices for tour operators who cover these routes. From long-distance caminos to short easy day hikes, all the good ones are listed here.

Table of Contents

What is a camino walk / pilgrimage?

People give different answers to this question because it often depends on what motivates them to pursue a pilgrimage in the first place. It also depends on their religion and country of origin. In its most basic form, a camino is simply a road or path. If you research trails around the world you’ll come across caminos that have nothing to do with religion, but most people think pilgrimage when they hear the term. And that’s probably due to the most popular pilgrimage in Europe, the Camino de Santiago, which is at its core a religious pilgrimage.

These terms are used interchangeably but here is how we define them:

camino = one of many routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain OR an important long-distance path or way

pilgrimage = any long distance walk that ends at a religious site or has significant religious/spiritual value for the walker

Are there Compostela camino walks in Ireland?

Anyone who looks at a map might be questioning how someone can walk from Ireland to Spain — there’s a bit of a water barrier. But the answer to the question is yes, there are  routes that begin in Ireland and make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Bare with me because it gets a little technical.

Celtic Camino via A Coru ña

The Celtic Camino  is overseen by the Camino Society of Ireland which works with the Cathedral of Santiago to determine rules for granting a Compostela certificate. To earn that certificate via the Celtic Camino:

• Pilgrim must first walk at least 25km on a certified pilgrimage route in Ireland (you’ll find those later in this post)
• Acquire an official Camino de Santiago passport (contact Camino Society of Ireland)
• Stamp your passport with Celtic Camino stages and bring it to the Camino Information Center in Dublin for verification
• Begin the next stage in Spain from A Coru ñ a to Santiago and follow camino rules accordingly

What are the pilgrimage walks in Ireland?

The people of Ireland were walking pilgrimages long before the Camino de Santiago existed and thankfully Ireland has been working hard to preserve those ancient paths. One of the ways they do this is by certifying their own  Pilgrim Passport , which can be earned by walking 5 designated ancient paths (which we’ve noted below with an asterisk*).

St. Brigid’s Way

70mi / 113km

Some pilgrim walks in Ireland are only open to the public during certain days and St. Brigid’s Way is one of those. This 9-day pilgrimage takes place in July as an event organized by a non-profit that is dedicated to honoring Brigid. Revered as both a Celtic goddess and Christian saint, St. Brigid is an excellent choice for pilgrims seeking an authentic cultural experience and one that focuses on the feminine divine.

St. Declans Way

St. Declans Way follows a fifth century path taken by St. Declans to visit St. Patrick. It is an old trail that just received official recognition in 2021. The route begins in Ardmore and ends in Cashel, incorporating several medieval pilgrimage and trading routes.

Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail*

The Croagh Patrick pilgrimage is a route that leads to the summit of Croagh Patrick, a mountain in County Mayo which is believed to be the site where Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. It begins in Balla and ends in Murrisk with very few places to sleep along the route. For a shorter route, try Tóchar Phádraig from Ballintuber Abbe y to Croagh Patrick.

Kerry Camino

The Kerry Camino has historical connections to St. James and St. Brendan which you can find on their site. We walked this route in 2016 as part of the longer Dingle Way and can attest to its charm. It begins in Tralee, takes 3 days to complete and you’ll end with some of the best live music in Dingle!

St. Finbarr’s Pilgrim Path*

Since the 6th century this path has been walked by pilgrims following St. Finbarr’s route from  Drimoleague to Gougane Barra. It’s a 2-day journey with steep sections that ends near the hermitage of St. Finbarr. Like the Kerry Camino, this path is part of a larger long-distance route called the Sheep’s Head Way.

St. Kevin’s Way*

St. Kevin’s Way is a 7th century route from Hollywood to Glendalough, where St. Kevin lived as a hermit until his death. Some remains are left of the monastery that developed in Glendalough following St. Kevin’s death.

Way of our Ancestors

Officially called Slí ár Sinsear , this new pilgrim route begins at the Church of St. James in Glenbeigh and ends in Cahersiveen. Pilgrims can walk this route in 1 or 2 days and there are additional trails nearby if you wish to make this a true walking holiday. One of the sections of this route is called the “Fairy Trail” — I am thoroughly enticed!

Boyne Valley Camino

The Boyne Valley Camino is an easy way to get your camino miles for the Santiago certificate. It’s a loop trail from Drogheda that goes through pretty woodlands and canals.

Are there 1-day pilgrim walks in Ireland?

Yes, there are some excellent choices for hikers who want to experience a pilgrimage in just one day. These one-day pilgrim walks are a great way to ease into caminos.

Cosán na Naomh*

11mi / 18km.

Cosán na Naomh , The Saint’s Road, can be found on the Dingle Peninsula and it’s a great pilgrimage alternative to the Dingle Way. This ancient pilgrimage route pre-dates Christian Ireland. It begins at Ventry Beach and ends at Ballybrack at the base of Mt. Brandon. This is a beautiful walk with epic coastline, mountains and ancient ruins.

Lough Derg Pilgrim Path

The Lough Derg pilgrimage  takes place in County Donegal on Station Island, which is home to St. Patrick’s Purgatory (or Sanctuary). This pilgrim walk can be done in one day or as a 3-day pilgrimage involving fasting, praying and walking without shoes. The 3-day walk can only be walked from June 1 to August 15 but the 1-day walks are offered from May through September.

Turas Cholmcille

3.4mi / 5.4km

Also in County Donegal,  Turas Cholmcille  is a true Celtic experience meant to be walked barefoot, silent and with several rituals centered around ancient stones. This walk  is only open to the public from June 9 to August 15, with June 9 being the optimal day since it’s the feast day

Rath to Dysert Pilgrim Path

This is an easy loop walk from St. Blathmac’s Church in Rath to St. Tola’s High Cross in Dysert . It can include a stop at Dysert Castle for refreshments, for those pilgrims who aren’t into complete suffering and sacrifice.

Kilcommon Pilgrim Loop

Another easy circular path, the Kilcommon Pilgrim Loop is simply a local path to the Kilcommon village church. It’s a lovely walk along a river and through forests (which is always a treat in Ireland).

Cnoc na dTobar*

Cnoc na dTobar is one of the sacred mountains of Ireland which was a pagan pilgrimage site long before Christianity arrived on the island. The walk begins near Cahersiveen and ascends to the summit, offering views of the Blasket Islands and a 19th century stations of the cross.

Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Pilgrim Path

2.5mi / 4km

Sliabh Liag in County Donegal packs in a lot of scenery in a relatively short distance. This pilgrim path is a coastal hike with epic views that takes you past the remains of a chapel once connected with Saints Aedh Mac Bric and Assicus.

1mi / 1.5km

Mám Éan , the Pass of the Birds, is a little-known pilgrim walk between mountains in the remote Connemara region. There is a tiny outdoor chapel and altar with a statue of St. Patrick. Due to its remote location this site was used as a secret outdoor church during the time when Catholicism was outlawed in Ireland.

What tour operators cover camino walks in Ireland?

Most of Ireland’s pilgrim paths can be walked with little to no assistance, but if you want someone to plan the trip for you or you prefer to walk with a group, here are our top choices for tour operators:

• Waterford Camino Tours offers small group and custom pilgrimage walks in Ireland with a focus on crafting unique multi-activity itineraries for a more spiritual experience
• Hillwalk Tours covers the Kerry Camino and St. Kevin’s Way in Ireland and focuses on self-guided trips.
• Journeying is a non-profit organization that has been leading small group pilgrimage tours since 1988. They provide a retreat-like experience with custom-designed routes created by a dedicated team of volunteers.

For more camino walks worldwide, search our site for pilgrimage to find companies that cover these routes or blog posts that we’ve written. Or filter by  pilgrimage  (under Special Category) if searching for companies.

Interested in Irish walking holidays but camino walks are not your cup of tea? Read about our experience inn to inn hiking in Ireland and see if it sounds like a better fit for you.

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Camino Guided Tours 2024

Our week-long fully escorted Camino guided tours take pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, walking approximately 100kms of the two most famous routes so you can receive your own ‘Compostela’: the Camino Frances trail from Sarria or the Camino Portugues from the coastal city of Vigo, in Galicia.

In addition, we also have great options for beginners: a new Easy Walk Camino Guided tour and two classic Camino de Santiago Coach and Walking tours from Bilbao and Lisbon, combining sightseeing with short walking stages each day.

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world have made their way to Santiago de Compostela since the Middle Ages, walking the centuries-old Camino de Santiago paths. The historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is truly memorable and an experience of a lifetime: where you will discover stunning scenery, historic towns, quaint little villages and a unique sense of camaraderie you won’t find anywhere else.

If you have always dreamt of walking to Santiago de Compostela but you didn’t want to do it alone or prefer the support of a group, our Camino guided tours are perfect for you. Check out our departure dates for 2024.

Tours & Departures

Camino Frances | Last 100km Guided tour

• 21 April 2024

Coastal Camino Portugues | Last 100km Guided Tour

• 19 May 2024

Camino Frances Easy Walk | Last 100km

• 7 June 2024

• 23 June 2024

Camino Coach & Walking Tour

• 1 September 2024

• 8 September 2024

• 22 September 2024

The Down Syndrome Centre Camino 2024

• 29 September 2024

Camino Portugues Coach & Walking Tour

• 6 October 2024

• 13 October 2024
• 18 October 2024

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Travel tips.

The Camino de Santiago is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site and over 300,000 pilgrims from all over the world make their journey to Santiago each year, where they receive their ‘Compostela’ pilgrim certificate.

• Discover the spirit of the Camino and make life-long friends
• Walk ancient paths
• Admire beautiful architecture in cities and towns along the way
• Taste delicious gastronomy
• Get your Compostela pilgrim certificate in Santiago de Compostela

Find more details about our Camino guided tours, the Camino de Santiago routes, travel tips and advice on our TRAVEL BLOG .

JOIN OUR GUIDED TOURS

Expert local guides.

Our Camino guided tours are led by expert local English-speaking guides with many years of experience and extensive knowledge about the region, local culture and the history of the Camino de Santiago.

WE LOOK AFTER ALL THE DETAILS

From transport to accommodation in lovely hotels and pilgrim passports, all the logistics are managed by the expert travel team at JWT so you can just simply pack your bags and enjoy this enriching experience.

FLIGHTS AND TRANSPORT

We have regular departures including flights from Dublin, Ireland, and the UK, but if you are travelling from the USA, Asia or any other country, our travel experts can organise flights to join the group in Santiago.

Fill in this form to let us know the Camino you have in mind and request a call back or an email with travel suggestions. Sign up to the JWT newsletter to be the first one to receive tips, special offers and information about new tours by email.

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Camino Portuguese

The portuguese way.

While the Camino Frances may be the more famous and more travelled Camino route, the Camino Portuguese offers something entirely different. When we think of Portugal, we usually think of the sun-baked southern region of the Algarve, but northern Portugal is an area that sparkles with its own unique charm.

The two stages that we offer on the Camino Portuguese link the wonderful city of Porto with Santiago de Compostela, passing through traditional villages and towns unlike anywhere else on the Iberian Peninsula. Much of this region was in fact once a single country, the Kingdom of Galicia founded in 409 BC, and there are still enormous similarities between the Spanish and Portuguese sides.

Walking the Camino Portuguese is a quieter experience as the numbers are significantly less than the Camino Frances, but this spectacular region, filled with eucalyptus forests, vineyards, splendid food and history that goes back thousands of years, shouldn’t be overlooked for a Camino experience.

Camino Portuguese Stage 1

Camino Portuguese Stage 2

Camino Portuguese Stage 2 – Travel Solo Not Alone

Camino portuguese highlights.

• Before you begin your walk, explore the many delights of Porto, a colourful, historic city that is quickly becoming a tourism favourite.
• See the famous Quintas (villas) outside Ponte de Lima.
• Walk through the vibrant landscapes of Northern Portugal with its many ancient villages along the way.
• Gaze across the border into Spain from Valença do Minho and visit its enormous old citadel.
• Cross the bridge over the River Miño into Spain and visit Tui’s famous old cathedral.
• Enjoy the Galician towns of Redondela and Pontevedra and the well preserved old town areas.
• Sample the world-famous Padron peppers in the small town that bears the same name.
• Experiencing the magic of entering the famed city of Santiago de Compostela and standing in front of the cathedral, like so many have done before you over the last 1,000 years.

Prices/What’s included

Places of interest, travel info, accommodation, stage 1 - porto to tui - (6 nights & 121km).

Stage one connects Porto with a series of small villages and towns before ending in Tui, the border town perched on the River Miño and directly across from Valença do Minho in Portugal, with its dramatic citadel overlooking the river.

If you can, Porto is well worth spending some extra time in. Long underappreciated in comparison with its more illustrious sibling to the south, Lisbon, Porto has emerged in recent years as one of the finest destinations around Europe.

From the city, the Camino travels north, making stops in Arcos and Barcelos before arriving in Ponte da Lima, the oldest chartered town in Portugal with its iconic bridge dating from the 13th Century. The following night is spent in Rubiaes after a day’s walk through forests and vineyards that will forever change how you think of Portugal. The final day of stage one leads you through Valença do Minho and its imposing old fortress sat above the River Miño directly across from the Spanish town of Tui, our final stop of the first stage.

You can find more detailed information on Stage One here

Camino Portuguese Way – Stage One – U Walk

Stage 2 - Tui to Santiago - (7 nights & 102km)

Stage two heads north from Tui through the charming Galician landscape, making stops in Redondela and Pontevedra, two towns that perfectly encapsulate the fiercely independent-minded Galicans and are both fine places to dine on the local cuisine, including the famous pulpo, boiled octopus sprinkled with paprika.

From there we continue on, stopping first in Caldas de Reis then Padrón, where a sampling of their world-famous peppers between May and October is an absolute must. The final stage of the Camino Portuguese links Padrón with Santiago de Compostela, a route that sees you approach the famous city from the south before winding through its old streets and arriving in the Praza do Obradoiro, the grand square in the city where pilgrims congregate in front of the Cathedral gates.

You can find more detailed information on Stage Two here

Camino Portuguese Way – Stage Two – U Walk

6/7 nights accommodation (depending on which stage you choose) in private hotels/pensions

Daily baggage transfers are included so you don’t need to worry about lugging that bag along with you each day. Simply leave it with your hotel in the morning and it’ll be waiting for you when you’ve finished your days walking.

We provide all of our customers with walking notes that give a detailed description of each day’s route.

A pilgrim passport will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive, so all you need to do is get it stamped along the way.

We also provide full emergency support in the event of a problem and can help to organise transportation should you not be able to continue the walk.

For far too long Porto remained in the shadow of regal Lisbon, but not anymore. The once unfashionable rebel to the north has emerged as one of the hottest destinations in Europe. With reasonable prices, more history than you can ever hope to see in a single weekend, dazzling architecture and an astonishing array of excellent food (we recommend the absolutely decadent Francesinha sandwich) Porto has arrived in spectacular fashion.

Tui/Valença do Minho

The two small towns that lie opposite each other across the River Miño may be separated by an international border, but their similarities run deep. What was once a single country, the Kingdom of Galicia, is now split into Spain and Portugal but as the Camino passes across the Rodo-Ferroviária de Valença Bridge, it would be difficult to tell the difference if it wasn’t for a sign announcing your arrival into Spain.

On the Portuguese side, Valença do Minho is home to the sprawling old citadel and has a charming old town area complete with cobblestoned streets and whitewashed buildings. Across the river in Spain, Tui comes with more of the same, along with a beautiful cathedral, where construction work began in 1120 AD, and which grandly overlooks the town.

Provincial capital Pontevedra is a small gem of a city that manages to pack everything into a relatively small area. Situated on the Ria de Pontevedra, one of the four estuarine inlets that compose the Rías Baixas, the city feels more like a rural town than anything else. With its beautiful and compact old town, it’s the perfect place to relax at the end of a day’s walk and enjoy the unique Galician charm.

Most come to this small town in Galicia for one reason, the world-famous Pimientos de Padrón, fried green peppers grown locally. So famous are they in fact, the town holds a pepper festival in its honour each August. The added spice to these peppers (pun intended) is that most aren’t particularly hot, with the odd exception thrown in, which usually provides plenty of entertainment in a group setting.

Santiago de Compostela

Approaching Santiago de Compostela on foot is an experience that will live long in the memory. As the cathedral spires come into view you can’t help but be caught up in the excitement as Camino paths converge from all directions and lead you through the city to the Praza do Obradoiro, the square in front of the cathedral.

Once your walk is complete, you can turn your attention to the city itself which offers a staggering selection of restaurants and bars serving mounds of delicious food to the many celebrating pilgrims, along with an array of smaller churches and of course the famed cathedral itself.

Porto is the most convenient way to arrive as it’s the starting point for stage one and just 121 km from the start of stage two, with regular public transportation between the two points. Another option, if you’re walking stage two, would be to fly into Vigo, which is just 35 km from Tui where you begin the second stage.

As for departing, Porto, Vigo or Santiago de Compostela are all suitable options, depending on which of the two stages you are walking. Transfers to and from the airport and typically not included, but again, we will work with you to find the quickest and most convenient way to get to your starting point and away once you’ve completed the walk.

We have chosen popular family-run hotels/pensions along the route. Accommodation is simple and follows the character of the area

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Camino Society Ireland clg

CAMINO SOCIETY IRELAND

A vo luntary organisation providing i ndep e ndent information to intending pilgrims., giving back to the camino de santiago.

The Camino Society Ireland is a voluntary organisation, founded in 1992 by returned pilgrims to ‘give something back’ to the Camino and to future pilgrims.

On a practical level we provide:

the only Official Irish Pilgrim Passport (credentials)

a Camino Information Centre in St James Church in Dublin

practical Information Days for intending pilgrims

events for our members

We offer an opportunity to all those interested in the Camino to meet and share practical information and experiences, especially with those intending to travel. 

We are non-political, non-profit, non-sectarian and non-denominational, encompassing all of Ireland and open to all.​

We foster an understanding and appreciation of the Camino’s related history, art, architecture and music.  

Membership of the Society offers the opportunity to stay connected with the Camino and receive regular updates.​ The Society also arranges events and activities for members during the year.

Free  Passport  with 2024 Membership

Up to 15% discount f or Members 

in selected Outdoor Stores 

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start your camino journey today!

Pilgrims from all over the world have walked the Camino de Santiago trails across Europe for centuries, making their way to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, North-West of Spain.

Today, more than a pilgrimage, the Camino ( Camino is Spanish for way or route ) is an unforgettable experience and unique journey which can be walked or cycled.

The most popular routes are:

• The English Camino , from Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela
• The French Camino , from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela
• The Finisterre Camino , from Santiago de Compostela to Muxia
• The Portugese Coastal Camino , from Porto to Santiago de Compostela
• Via Francigena  or Camino From France , from Canterbury to Rome 

Top Camino Routes

We've got fantastic prices for all the most popular Camino routes. And if you're looking for something different? There are many other guided and self-guided Camino routes running all over Europe. For more information, contact our experts: 021 4277094 or [email protected]

Top 10 Camino Tips

1. Choose The Right Route

There are many different Camino routes, covering varying distances, difficulty levels and regions of Western Europe. Take a look at the maps, talk to our travel agents and make your choice.

2. Bring The Right Gear

A good pair of hiking shoes are the most important piece of gear you’ll bring with you. Make sure they’re sturdy, comfortable and most importantly- break them in before you go.

3. Bring An Essential Supplies Kit

Make sure to pack sun cream, plasters, blister pads, a sun/ rain hat, medicines, cleansing wipes and a water bottle. It's important to stay hydrated as you walk the Camino. Refill your bottle at the abundant water fountains along the route marked “ agua potable ".

4. Find Your Own Pace

Don’t worry about keeping up with others. Find your own pace, take in the scenery and enjoy the journey. If you’re not a regular long distance walker, get some practice in before you go.

5. Get Into The Spirit

The nature of the Camino means you’re going to meet many fellow pilgrims and locals during your journey. Greet people with ‘Buen Camino!’ and prepare to embrace the camaraderie.

6. Choose The Right Time To Travel

Remember that it can get quite hot during the summer months. If the weather is good, start early and get the bulk of your walking done before the hottest part of the day.

7. Don’t Forget Your Pilgrim Passport

Remember to get your credencial stamped along the way. This proves you have made the journey and allows you to receive your Compostela pilgrim certificate on completion of at least 100 kilometres.

8. Enjoy The Local Food

Each Camino route region has its own delicacies and specialities. Enjoy delicious octopus, empanada and regional cheeses in Galicia and keep it festive with the sweet almond cake Tarta de Santiago in Compostela.

9. Pack Light

If you plan on carrying your backpack, make sure to bring the bare minimum. Your feet and back will thank you for it. If you’ prefer not to carry it, our tours allow you the option of a luggage transfer service.

10. Enjoy Yourself!

Sure, you’re going to feel tired and sore- but remember to take in the incredible scenery, talk to interesting people, taste delicious food and marvel at the ancient, UNESCO-listed architecture along the Camino. This is a holiday you won’t soon forget.

Planning on travelling the Camino? Click to read our blog with tips for embarking on this unforgettable experience.

CYCLE THE CAMINO

Did you know you can cycle many of the Camino de Santiago ways? Experienced cyclists comfortable with bike maintenance can take a self-guided route. Less confident cyclists can join a group, complete with guide & support bus. Ask us for more details.

Call our travel hotline for expert advice or to book your trip.

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Walk Ireland's Camino: the Kerry Camino

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Hi Naofa, Thanks for reaching out. I've passed your enquiry on to our team who will get back to you over email. Enjoy your Kerry Camino!

How much would the kerry camino be for a group of 10we would not need any travel to tralee would make our way there independent ly

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Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world have made their way to Santiago de Compostela since the Middle Ages, walking the centuries-old Camino de Santiago paths. The historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is truly memorable and an experience of a lifetime: where you will discover stunning scenery, historic towns, quaint little villages and a unique sense of camaraderie you won’t find anywhere else.

Today, the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site and over 300,000 pilgrims from all over the world make their journey to Santiago each year, where they receive their ‘Compostela’ pilgrim certificate.

Find dates for our upcoming guided tours below or talk to our travel experts to organise a special Camino de Santiago pilgrimage for your group.

Tours & Departures

Camino Frances | Last 100km Guided tour

• 21 April 2024

Coastal Camino Portugues | Last 100km Guided Tour

• 19 May 2024

Camino Frances Easy Walk | Last 100km

• 7 June 2024

• 23 June 2024

Camino Coach & Walking Tour

• 1 September 2024
• 8 September 2024
• 22 September 2024

Camino Portugues Coach & Walking Tour

• 6 October 2024

• 13 October 2024
• 18 October 2024

Suggested Tours

Tailored Group Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage

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CAMINO GUIDED TOURS

Our Camino de Santiago guided tours are perfect for those looking to experience this special pilgrimage trail as part of a friendly group of walkers and pilgrims.

Our Camino guided tours depart on specific dates and generally last a week. From flights and transport to accommodation, luggage transfers and meals, we look after all the logistics for you so all you have to do is enjoy this special journey.

Our guided tours are led by experienced English-speaking local guides who will support the group every step of the way and share their expert knowledge of these ancient pilgrim trails.

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO PILGRIMAGE FOR GROUPS

At Joe Walsh Tours we can create the perfect Camino de Santiago pilgrimage tour for your group, helping you find the right path to Santiago de Compostela, the city of Saint James.

Our team will design a custom made itinerary, taking into account all your group’s needs and requirements.

Contact our travel experts for advice and the best options for your group.

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Special Places: Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

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Killeshandra Camino Calling

Killeshandra Walking Camino

Killeshandra Camino Committee and the community are looking forward to welcoming visitors to join them on a Camino walk which will take place on the 15th of June 2024.

The route will take walkers on a journey around the picturesque town and its environs and will cover 35.5km.

Upcoming Events

Sat 15th june 2024.

Killeshandra is a rural village, set in the middle of unspoilt countryside. It is uniquely located in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and within the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. Nestled between rolling drumlins, stunning woodlands and countless lakes and rivers, Killeshandra is a convenient base for tourists as it is within 90 minutes of Dublin Airport in the east and The Wild Atlantic Way to the west. It is also next to Ireland’s Ancient East Region. A perfect base for exploring any part of Ireland!

Killeshandra is famous for all kinds of outdoor activities such as water sports, boating and fishing as well as traditional Irish music and its cultural heritage. It’s now time to reveal Killeshandra’s spectacular scenery to those who haven’t visited before.

Killeshandra Camino is run entirely by volunteers. In a spirit of consideration and respect for environmental sustainability we encourage practising a Leave No Trace ethic.

aim of the committee

• To showcase Killeshandra as a premier walking destination • To show the hidden power of nature surrounding us here in Killeshandra. Our community are happy to share this gem with our visitors. We welcome everyone to enjoy this very special tranquil place in the heart of County Cavan • To provide walkers with a challenging, well organised and enticing walking experience which can be enjoyed all year round • To run an annual walking event which highlights the remarkable scenery of the area as well as our distinctive local amenities and attractions • To support and enhance the local economy by putting all funds raised back into local projects • To encourage participation in an activity which is supportive of both mental and physical wellness

Accommodation

Click here  to see a range of accommodation available in Killeshandra. Whether it’s to extend your stay ensuring you get a look at all Killeshandra has to offer, or to finish off your evening with a relaxing night away!

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Self-Guided Hiking Tours on ancient Pilgrim Paths

Unique Pilgrim Path hiking tours carefully selected and designed for you.

What are pilgrim paths.

Pilgrim Paths are routes used to make meaningful journeys to places of spiritual significance. The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is the most famous pilgrim path in the world. The remains, or relics, of St James, were transported by his followers to Spain and are said to be buried in Santiago de Compostela. But the Camino de Santiago is not a single route but a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and finishing at the tomb of St. James.

What is the most popular Camino de Santiago route?

The Camino Francés route, known as The French Way in the English language, is the most popular route for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago to walk. In full, it is a 780km trail that starts in Saint Jean Pied de Port and finishes in the city of Santiago de Compostela. The most popular starting point of the Camino Francés is the town of Sarria, around 100km from Santiago de Compostela. Starting there still allows pilgrims to receive their official Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Certificate. Shorter Camino walks are also perfect for those who have limited time for holidays or prefer the Camino experience over the challenge of a long hike.

What is the history of Pilgrim Paths in Ireland?

There is a strong history of pilgrims paths in Ireland with many medieval routes to significant Christian sites such as St. Kevin’s Way to Glendalough , the Kerry Camino to St. James’s Church in Dingle, Tochar Phadraig (or St Patrick’s Way) to Croagh Patrick,  The Saint’s Way (or Crosan na Noamh) on the Dingle Peninsula to the foot of Mount Brandon (named after the famous St. Brendan the Navigator), St. Finbarr’s Way to Gougane Barra in Co. Cork, Slí Cholmcille in Co. Donegal and the Mám Éan Pilgrim Trail located in Connemara and part of our West of Ireland tours . Many of these routes are also part of the Camino network and listed as official pilgrim routes by the Camino Society Ireland.

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Pilgrim Routes in Ireland

Long before the discovery of St. James’ relics , there was Cruachan Aille in Ireland. The sacred grounds had been there since 3,000 BC and attracted pilgrims from all over Europe. Pagans frequented the area, and so did early Christians when St. Patrick popularized it.

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When the Camino de Santiago became famous, the ancient pilgrimage was sadly forgotten in favor of Spain. Memories of these medieval footpaths aren’t completely lost, however, and revivalists attempt to reclaim Ireland’s pilgrim routes.

There are currently 12 footpaths available, including one that takes you to Cruachan Aille or Croagh Patrick. Five of them are medieval pilgrim routes covered by the National Pilgrim Passport .

Pilgrims can get their passports stamped at the end of each participating route. Those who finish the combined 125 km stretch will be awarded an Irish Pilgrim Paths completion certificate . Whether walking the medieval trails or taking less trodden paths, both are excellent ways to familiarize yourself with Irelands’ rich heritage and unspoiled landscapes.

Turas Cholm Cille Pilgrimage, Donegal

The route takes you through an expansive yet hidden Gleann Cholm Cille, an area known for its pillar stones. The pillars are spread across 14 stations along the 3.4 mile route but are also accessible from an alternative 4.5 mile route. The best time to walk Turas Cholmcille is on St. Colm Cille’s Day on June 9, when all stations are open to the public. It takes only 3 hours to complete the pilgrimage and is traditionally done barefooted.

Lough Derg, Donegal

It’s one of the most ancient pilgrim routes in Ireland, dating back to the 5 th century. Situated on Station Island, it allows pilgrims to walk the shores of Lough Derg towards a cave and local pilgrimage site – St. Patrick’s Purgatory. Legend has it that Christ revealed the cave to St. Patrick as an entryway to the purgatory. The Lough Derg route runs for 7 miles along the lake’s edge and is open all year round.

Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage, Tóchar Phadraig, Mayo

Also called St. Patrick’s Causeway, this pilgrim route bears great importance in Ireland’s history. Pagans walked this road to reach the ancient pilgrimage at Cruachan Aille, later named Croagh Patrick in honor of Ireland’s patron saint. It is quite long with nearly 19 miles of footpath starting at Ballintubber Abbey. Tóchar Phadraig makes for an easy walk and passes through low mountains. It includes stops to sacred druidic sites and the miraculousr Boheh rock which goes all the way back to 3,000 BC.

Slí Mór, Offaly

The Offaly Way is one of many pilgrim routes in Ireland with easy to moderate difficulty. It is evenly leveled on most parts, with a few rises above a flat landscape. Slí Mór is situated on an esker and offers views of the surrounding countryside. It runs from Ballycumber to Clonmacnoise for about 23.6 miles. Unfortunately, most of the route is on public roads. So instead of walking the Offaly Way, it would be safer to cycle it.

Slí Bhride, Kildare

Brigid’s Way is a Celtic pilgrimage that was recently opened to the public. It takes 9 days to traverse the 70-mile route, although pilgrims have been known to walk Slí Bhride for 1 to 5 days without completing It. The route begins at St. Brigid’s Shrine in Faughart, and ends in Kildare – the saint’s monastic town.

Slí Chaoimhin – St Kevin’s Way, Wicklow

With only 19 miles of footpath, Slí Chaoimhin or St. Kevin’s Way is a fairly short route. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for an easy walk or want to have your passport stamped, as it takes no more than a day to complete. The route starts from either Hollywood and Valleymount and concludes at the 6th-century monastery in Glendalough.

Related: What is a Pilgrim?

Kilcommon Pilgrim Loop, Tipperary

The 4-mile route is one of Ireland’s shortest. It starts and ends in Kilcommon, and is based on old mass paths which circle around to a local church. During the 2-hour walk, you will pass minor roads, forested areas, and the open hills of Tipperary and Limerick. Kilcommon is best known for its spectacular views of the countryside.

Rath/Dysert, Clare

The pilgrim path sets off from the medieval ruins of St. Blathmac Church in Rath. It’s a short and easy walk much like Kilcommon, but instead of the countryside, it takes you across various historical landmarks such as the Dysert Catholic Church, the holy well of Tobar Orieachta, Dysert Castle, the Hermitage of Tola, and finally, the High Cross of St. Tola. If you’re taking this route, you would be able to complete it in 2.5 hours.

Cosán na Naomh, Kerry

Despite its humble name, Saints Road or Cosán na Naomh boasts spectacular sceneries. It leaves from the beach at Ceann Trá and gently makes its way up Brandon Mountain. Despite being on the second highest peak in Ireland, walkers wouldn’t have a problem climbing the trail, and will certainly enjoy the seaside and hillside views. Among its attractions are the Ogham stone at Maumanorig, the Gallarus Oratory, and several medieval ruins.

Knocknadobar, Kerry

The trail was once an important site for local pagans who celebrated Lughnasadh, an ancient Celtic harvest festival. Nowadays, the route has a Station of the Cross which leads to the peak of Knocknadobar Mountain, where you can get breathtaking views of neighboring islands – Skellig, Valentia, and Dolus Head. Cnoc na dTobar is nearly 5 miles long and of moderate difficulty.

St. Finbarr’s Way, Cork

As its name suggests, the route follows the footsteps of St. Finbarr in an ascent across valleys and mountains. From Gougane Bara, the trail joins Beara-Breifne Way and descends sharply into the saint’s hermitage. Pilgrims can take a shorter alternative to this two-day hike by stopping at Gougane Bara.

St. Declan’s Way, Waterford/Tipperary

Spanning for about 56 miles, it is one of the longest pilgrims routes in Ireland . The route was named after St. Declan of Ardmore who Christianized the area between 350 to 450 AD. The trail begins at Cashel and ends at Ardmore, and will take you through a number of local historical landmarks.

Check out the best beginner backpacking trips in California as well.

I love hiking, backpacking, and camping. From the Camino de Santiago to the West Highland Way in Scotland or simply a great day hike on the weekend. Hiking refreshes me, my mind, and keeps my body reasonably fit. So far I have walked three Camino routes and many other long distance hikes in the UK, Canada, and around the rest of Europe. One of the best was my hike up Ben Nevis.

3 thoughts on “Pilgrim Routes in Ireland”

Are there pilgrims a place to get your creditial stamped .Hostels to stay in Thank you in advance.

Hello. Did you get any replies about pilgrim accommodation in Ireland while walking the routes they write about??

We want to visit Ireland from South Africa and need to be able to work a budget – South African exchange monetary rate is appalling and so I must plan wisely. Don’t think I need a Irish visa coming from South Africa into Dublin. Any advice I’d really appreciate.

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• Irelands Camino Five Guided Pilgrims...

Ireland’s Camino: Five Guided Pilgrim’s Walks Across Ancient Sites

Ireland has re-launched its own temporary ‘Camino’, with detailed guided tours to run through the country’s National Heritage Week , taking place August 19–26, 2017.

Based on Spain’s famous Camino de Santiago (though in most cases, the treks actually pre-date the iconic North-Spanish path), the route takes on several of the pilgrimage’s key attributes. For example, it’s based around key traditional religious paths and features a stamped ‘passport’ to symbolise the completion of each phase of the course, similar to that obtained at churches on the Spanish routes. The walks, however, are not one straight line, but (with one exception) located in Ireland’s rural south-west.

While all five of the routes are normally accessible to the public, who can collect the ‘passport’ at any time, Heritage Week will see them led by local guides, with trips served up through the week at the cost of just €5 (US$6) per route. There is also the option to take all five treks, add in two lunches and get local transfers during the week for €80 (US$96).

Passports, however, are available throughout the year, with certificates of completeness for those who trek enough of the Irish pilgrimage trails, even over an extended period of time. Grab more details here . The five key routes taking part in the Heritage Week event are each sacred locally. They are as follows:

An ancient pathway up a mountain that’s become highly symbolic in Ireland, Croagh Patrick, Tochar Phadraig (St Patrick’s Causeway) is the only one of these routes that a significant proportion of locals will already have taken on. Described by the Heritage Week as moderate/difficult and taking upwards of 10 hours, the 30-kilometre (18.6-mile) route is traditionally undertaken barefoot.

Local history proclaims this spot to be the site of a 40-day fast from Ireland’s patron saint, though the holy significance almost certainly predates St Patrick and Irish Catholicism. Sites on the route include – aside from sensational views of the Atlantic coastline from the steep 764-metre (2,506.5-foot) peak – a ritual wash at the start of the route, a small chapel at the highest point, St Patrick’s Bed, and an oddly-placed golf tee half-way up. In recent years, the mountain has been found to contain a streak of gold estimated to be worth more than half a billion dollars; however, local campaigning successfully prevented its mining.

St Kevin’s Way, County Wicklow

St Kevin’s Way is less famous locally than the lengthy Wicklow Way , though it’s based in the same area, the ‘garden county’ just south of Dublin. It should, in all probability, be far more famous. Taking in gorgeous Wicklow hillsides, the walk (described by organisers as moderate, covering 30 kilometres [18.6 miles] and taking about seven hours) follows the route of St Kevin as he travelled to his hermitage in Glendalough , one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions (though there are actually two slightly different pilgrimage pathways that can be taken to arrive there).

The monastic settlement at Glendalough as it stands now came almost entirely after Kevin made his trek in the 6th century, though some remnants of the original settlement remain, as well as mythical locations such as St Kevin’s Bed. The latter, located on a hillside overlooking the site, is extremely tough to access and, according to legend, is the spot from which the saint once threw an amorous local woman into the lake in order to maintain his vows of chastity.

Cosán na Naomh, County Kerry

Translating as the Saints Road, this route takes in some spectacular scenery on the Dingle Peninsula, directly to the north of the glorious and well-travelled Ring of Kerry route. It makes for a perfect ‘combo’ option for those looking to explore the south-west. Described as moderate by organisers, the 18-kilometre (11.2-mile) path (taking between four and five hours to stroll) runs from the beach to the foot of the Brandon Mountain, climbing only one notable hill, but offering spectacular views throughout.

You will also find a 15th-century tower house and other stone relics as part of the hike, including crosses, holy wells, churches and plenty of other religious relics as you make your way slowly uphill. The 952-metre (3,123.3-foot) Mount Brandon is a pleasant climb to finish your hike, should you be the particularly energetic type, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.

St Finbarr’s Pilgrim Path, County Cork

Another sought-after pathway for centuries, St Finbarr’s 6th-century route to the isolated lakeside spot of Gougane Barra included a stop at The Top Of The Rock, where he stood and demanded people return to follow Christ. Easily the toughest of these routes, the organised walks will take on this particular path over two days, though the fit, regular hiker might manage the 37-kilometre (23-mile) route in a long, single day trip.

The walk includes sensational views of the West Cork coastline, crossing three mountain systems and stopping off in the four valleys that sit around them. The term ‘mountain’ in the Irish sense is not quite the Alpine vista you might expect of the word (nothing here tops 1,000 metres or 3,281 feet), but this is nevertheless a demanding route, the pain of which is considered part of the experience. There’s plenty of local folklore to explore too, and not too many have been before you in the recent past. The route has only reopened in full after local landowners agreed to grant access in 2008.

Cnoc na dTobar, County Kerry

A 690-metre-tall (2,263.7 feet) cross-topped ‘mountain’ found right on the main Ring of Kerry route, Cnoc na dTobar’s pilgrim walk departs from the beautiful coastal town of Cahersiveen. The easiest of the routes on offer as part of Heritage Week (described as moderate, at nine kilometres [5.6 miles] and around 3.5 hours of walking), the site has been sacred since long before Ireland became a Catholic country, with its roots in Celtic Paganism.

There are 14 ‘sites of the cross’ along the route, with each marking another step towards the summit. In ancient times, that summit saw fires, dances and ritual events in celebration of the harvest, but today, your main reward comes in the form of a magnificent view of Kerry’s rugged coastline and mountains and, of course, that stamp in your pilgrim passport.

Find out more about what Ireland’s planning for National Heritage Week through the website, here .

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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24 hours in ireland’s second cities.

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Food & Drink

Combining ireland’s finest whiskey with sustainable forestry.

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Camino Groups

• +353 86 604 2426
• +353 65 681 0019
• [email protected]

Camino Groups was founded in 2015 and things have certainly changed a lot since then!

We actually received our trading license from the Commission for Aviation Regulation in 2014 – on December 23rd to be exact – and it was as a specialist school tour company that things started. Then (and still now) the only specialist school tour company in Ireland, it soon became clear that what we were offering was striking a chord elsewhere.

You know all the catchy slogans and boasts? Well I have some bad news on that front! Camino Groups wasn’t the first nor is it the biggest Camino provider in Ireland. We don’t have the widest variety of routes, the glossiest brochures or the most advanced website. Sorry about that!

What we do have is something personal. If you book a Camino trip with us, you will have our support in all you do – before and during your trip. We will offer you a more complete service and at a lower price than any other provider. Don’t take that at face value – look and shop around!

It’s why word of mouth and repeat customers (many are now good friends!) are the main two reasons we are winning over customers from those companies with offices in multiple countries. You might see the Camino Groups van somewhere near you soon enough too!

Please have a good look through our website – hopefully we can chat about your Camino trip soon!

Eoin Garvey, Founder – Camino Groups. (the guy in the dodgy blue hoodie in the photo above!)

Our Mission

We don’t have an official Mission Statement!

But if we did, there are 3 things that we would like to see reflected in that:

It’s personal

Walking with guided groups, chatting at the Holiday World Show or Ploughing Championship, answering your phone calls and emails and hearing from you when you get home – these are the most enjoyable moments!

Quality of service

If you’re walking on the Camino, it’s up to us to make sure that you have an experience that’s uniquely yours. Our support to you in that should be at a level that is better than any other Camino provider. We hope that’s true, but we will let you be the judge of that!

Value for money

In the early days researching what other companies were offering and charging, it’s fair to say that we were dismayed at the prices being charged by existing operators! So, even though this sounds a bit clichéd, our simple guarantee is this: On a like for like basis, Camino Groups will give you the best value trip on every one of our routes.

What we can do for you

While Camino Groups was set up originally as a school tour company (and that’s still hugely important to us), the number of other bookings is growing year on year.

Today, we offer guided and self-guided tour options to individuals, couples and all the way up to large groups. If you’re nervous about taking on the Camino on your own or if you want to book for a group, we can help you.

Charity groups, scouts, walking clubs, schools, parish groups, friends, retirees – we’ve worked with them all!

For a detailed look at why we hope you’d consider booking Camino Groups and the various services we offer, please click here .

Of course, we have looked at what services other operators provide. The great thing about this is that now we can confidently say that the range of services we offer you in your Camino booking is unmatched in Ireland.

Please have a look around the website and if you want to find out a bit more, contact us !

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