About the Camino Madrid

Thought the increasing global interest in the Camino de Santiago in the past 25 years has largely been focused on the Camino Frances, Camino Norte, Primitivo and Caminho Portuguese other routes have nonetheless been highly developed.  In recently years the Caminos Ingles, Inverieno (Winter Route), San Salvador and Madrid have also become popular with pilgrims seeking less populous ways to Santiago.

In 2022, having been asked to lead a birding trip in Spain along a Camino route I chose one that I had yet to venture along – the Camino de Madrid. This pilgrimage route – now extensively developed – stretches from Madrid, the capital of Spain, to Sahagun where it intersects with the more popular Camino Frances.  The Camino Madrid is approximately 320 km long and takes between 12-14 days for pilgrims utilizing the recommended 13 stage plan to venture along before stopping their trek or continue along to Santiago.   Given that the Camino de Madrid begins in the capital of Spain, its central location provides a unique opportunity to explore new parts of the county.  In addition this pilgrimage route ventures through the Roman town of Segovia, traverses the natural beauty of the regional mountain ranges and allows one to explore UNESCO sites en route to Santiago. 

Route and Waymarking 

While there is no official beginning to the Camino Madrid many traditionally start at the Church of Santiago and St. John in the Plaza de Santiago, just a few blocks from the Royal Palace and Historical Walls.

From this location the official route weaves through neighbourhoods and along sidewalks beside quiet roads in Madrid until reaching the countryside where one continues north.  Once pilgrims leave the city centre of Madrid and subsequent townsites the route follows established trails racing historical Roan routes, farm and forestry tracts, regional trails though national parks, and urban sidewalks and so is a relatively safe pilgrimage trail to follow. Perhaps the most challenging (and most rewarding) part of the Camino de Madrid is the climb over the sierra de Guadarrama following a Roman roadway.  

 

Beyond this much of the Camino Madrid has a Meseta like terrain which given the southerly location of its starting point makes it a warmer route to venture along – especially in the summer.  As such it is generally recommended that people trek this route in either the spring or fall. The challenge in both cases is to then be aware of Spanish and local holidays which impact upon albergues being open, full, hotel costs, and the availability of other resources.

Like the more popular Camino routes the Madrid pilgrimage is well waymarked in the traditional Camino fashion with yellow arrows, shells, and crosses.

Likewise pilgrims on the Camino de Madrid still utilize and require the traditional Pilgrim Credential and need to acquire stamps en route. As along other Camino stamps are available in albergues (many of which are dedicated pilgrim residences), hotels, churches (when open) and town halls along the route. 

Amenities and Accommodations 

While much of the Camino de Madrid will be familiar to those who have ventured along the Camino Frances, Norte, Portuguese, or even to Fisterra – the fact is that unlike these popular ways the route from Madrid to Sahagun goes through fewer villages and several larger cities. This means that often amenities are a little further apart and that one must contend with the fact that the cities of Madrid, Segovia, and Valladoid do not have albergues or dedicated pilgrim accommodations.  In addition to which many of the albergues are strict in terms of the seasons and hours they have for gaining entrance – as we unfortunately discovered on a number of occasions.  The result, as we found out, is that pilgrims must place more of reliance upon hostels and hotels rather than albergues on the Camino de Madrid.

In addition, while the Camino de Madrid passes through towns providing trekkers the opportunity to eat out, enjoy meals and to resupply, it has fewer established, accessible or potable fountains for pilgrims to reliably get water from. Despite these challenges however the Camino de Madrid is a wonderful, diverse and unique route waiting to be experienced.