The list of books on the road is huge, but there are some that are always at the top of the recommended list. paulo cohelo, shirley maclaine, and hape kerkeling are just a few of the most popular authors, and when it comes to trail guides, john brierley’s are like a bible for first-time pilgrims.
the narration of the books is as diverse as the people who decide to embark on the path; from a father traveling the road with his daughter, a couple sharing their love for Spain, to a solo traveler who finds herself and her family on the road.
You are reading: Books about walking the camino de santiago
If you are looking for inspiration and to know more about the incredible pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, here is a list of some of the most popular pilgrimage books:
books inspired by the recommended path
1. I’m leaving then for hape kerkeling
in the summer of 2001, the german comedian hape kerkeling decided to leave his sedentary life to undertake an 800 km journey from st jean pied to santiago de compostela. in the book he shares his experiences, the people he met and who stayed with him along the way. It is an emotional and deep narrative that allows you to travel through his words.
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favorite quote from I’m leaving then:
I paid the price for ignoring the inner voice that had been screaming “take a break!” for months. when I went ahead with my work, my body took revenge and shut down my audition. a creepy experience! I was so furious at my own insanity that my gallbladder exploded, and the next thing I knew I was back in the ER with heart attack symptoms.
comments from our followers:
ryan tandler: “then I’m going for hape kerkeling. it is largely responsible for the revival of the road at the beginning of this century.”
2. paulo coelho’s pilgrimage
the history of the pilgrimage recalls paulo’s experiences when he toured northern spain in 1986 on a pilgrimage to santiago de compostela. the best-selling novel traces the story and journey of a Brazilian man (himself) who finds his own path, learning to be extraordinary through the paradoxical beauty of simply understanding what is ordinary.
This trip was the catharsis that made him stop dreaming of being a writer to finally become one.
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We should never stop dreaming. dreams nourish the soul, just as a meal does the body.
criticism:
patrick k.: “a great read! The strange Camino de Santiago and everything that happens on it is nothing more than a mirror of the journey of each and every one’s life! this book is a reminder that life is brilliant and that we are capable of so much more than we think we are.”
3. the path: a journey of the spirit by shirley maclaine
when award-winning american stage and film actress shirley maclaine decided to hit the road, she was 60 years old. For her, this trip was an intense and physically challenging experience, but very rewarding.
the book of the path explores the ins and outs of the pilgrim’s daily life, providing valuable knowledge, lessons in humility and how the path leaves you marked forever.
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Without the recognition of the soul’s journey within us, we are lost and just a part of what we were meant to be
criticism:
sophie clarke: “enjoyed this journey with shirley maclaine, couldn’t imagine being in her shoes dealing with paparazzi, especially on a quest for inner peace and spirituality.”
4. the path, my path by bill bennett
This deeply moving and hilarious story is based on the travel memoirs of Bill Bryson and Eric Newby. When Bill Bennett, an Australian-based film director, decided to embark on this 500-mile pilgrimage, he had no idea why he was doing it.
but in the midst of his journey, the pain of his injured knee, and all the experiences that occurred along the way, he was able to find his own way.
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I’ve never done something crazy like this before: a pilgrimage hike. he wasn’t a hiker, and he wasn’t a Catholic. in fact, he wasn’t even sure he was a Christian.
criticism:
sally desbois: “the way, my way by bill bennett. It was the first of many books I read about the Camino and the one I enjoyed the most.”
mary murphy: “of all the road books i’ve read, this is one of my favorites to date. the Australian film director reports on his journey in a fun and inspiring way. I would love to meet someone like bill in my own way.”
5. good road: a father and daughter journey from croagh patrick to santiago de compostela by peter and natasha murtagh
this is a beautiful book co-written by a father and daughter who embarked together on a spiritual journey down the french road from st jean pied to finistère. they began their ireland adventure walking down croagh patrick on st james day 2010. when peter found two scallop shells near the sea, he and his daughter strapped them to their backpack and officially proclaimed themselves pilgrims.
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a wonderfully warm story about the bond between a loving and adventurous father and his daughter ready to embrace the world.
criticism:
rob murphy: “my favorite book on the road is ‘good road’ by peter and natasha murtagh. a truly honest, realistic and moving account of the spiritual journey of a father and daughter on the road. Superbly written and beautifully illustrated with photos from Murtagh’s own collection. a definite read before starting your pilgrim journey!”
6. travels with my donkey: a man and his donkey on a pilgrimage to santiago by tim moore
This is one of the most entertaining books on the road. tells the story of british travel writer tim moore, who traveled the road from valcarlos to santiago de compostela with a donkey named shinto as his travel companion. Tim was seeking to release his burden by using Shinto as his burden carrier without knowing that he was only adding a 200-kilogram package of stubbornness, phobias, and a more or less stoic tolerance to his burden.
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No man could have been more proud of a donkey than I was when I saw Shinto nonsense on top of the iron cross. it was, in fact, his pilgrimage as well.
criticism:
aidan rice: “this book was hilarious and irreverent, it is by far my favorite book on the Camino de Santiago”.
7. It’s Your Way: A Couple’s 500-Mile Pilgrimage Through Spain by Kenneth Strange
It is about an American couple who share a deep love for Spanish history, culture and gastronomy. Kenneth Strange and his wife embarked on a 31-day journey along the French road through the Pyrenees and northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. This book shows in an entertaining and precise way what a pilgrim can expect when traveling the Camino.
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Reliving her journey in “It’s Your Way” is an inspiration, a joy, and a must-read!
criticism:
kim smith: “having experienced walking the walk i can proclaim that every chapter in ken’s book is right on the money. his account of churches and historic sites, local experiences, and his “characters” along the way were all so incredibly accurate and not to mention hilarious!”
8. what the psychic told the pilgrim: a middle-aged misadventure on spain’s camino de santiago by jane christmas
A divorced Canadian mother with teenage children joins a group of 14 women to celebrate her 50th birthday by walking the Camino de Santiago. she describes, in detail, what it is like to walk the path, and what it meant to her. She recounts her battles with loneliness, hallucinations of being joined by Steve Martin, as well as quaint towns and even the blond man.
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impulse is intuition in crack.
criticism:
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margaret c.: “I was walking the french trail when I read this book, so it was particularly relevant, and I will heed your advice about vaselined feet before I walk if I ever do another section! I like his honesty and his lively style of writing.”
9. call of the road: myths, legends and stories of pilgrims on the way to santiago de compostela by robert mullen
this book is about the experiences of an ordinary man who walks the french road from st jean pied to santiago and then to finisterre, the westernmost point of spain. the author philosophizes and interprets the characters, myths and legends of the people he meets on his path.
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mullen brings a beautiful mix of humor that always feels relevant and authentic. . . the call of the road . . It could be the biggest wake-up call of your life.
criticism:
sam gibson: “call of the road: myths, legends and stories of pilgrims on the way to santiago de compostella by robert mullen. an engaging mix of humor and erudition that blends the historical tradition of the Camino with accounts of the author’s own pilgrimage.”
10. the only way is west: a once-in-a-lifetime 500-mile adventure traveling Spain’s Camino de Santiago
Bradley Chermside walks Spain’s legendary Camino de Santiago to reflect on some profound life changes.
Walking nine hundred kilometers on the road to Santiago, he discovers the utopia of his fantasies, befriends a Hungarian who speaks English in song titles, and a barefoot Mayan mystic reveals his reason for being.
bradley is currently working on a sequel called the only way is north, which will be released in 2020! Also, if you’re interested in Bradley’s life story, check out our interview with him!
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an inspiring, uplifting, heartfelt and funny memoir that had me bursting out laughing every time. a wonderful read.
reviews:
annika: “I absolutely loved it! the book made me laugh, feel sad and above all feel proud of the author. Very well written, I recommend it to everyone!”
and of course, a special mention to our favorite trail guides –
a pilgrim’s guide to the camino de santiago by john brierley
Without a doubt, John Brierley is one of the best-known authors of trail guides. this practical and complete book of the way contains all the information required by today’s pilgrims who want to make the ancient pilgrimage to santiago de compostela.
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Even if you think you’ll never make this pilgrimage, you’ll enjoy the books because they help you feel like you’re right there, making the journey along with the many travelers on the road.
criticism:
jennifer callaghan: “a fantastic guide to guide you on your way. great descriptions of the different towns and cities that you are going through, but even more so of the terrain that you are going through while walking through the mountains.”
Noteworthy is definitely the oldest guide to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage: the Codex Calixtinus. Many of the things we know about the history of the Camino and the pilgrimage to Santiago come from this set of 5 books, so they are very important.
more stories along the way
Once you’ve worked through all of the ones that are always at the top of the recommended list, don’t forget that there are plenty of other books along the way that you might enjoy! What about elizabeth musser and her promised land: wonderful works of fiction? If you enjoy the spoken word more, how about listening to one of our favorite Camino de Santiago podcasts is also a great way to learn more about the Camino?
If you’re trying to inspire your kids to join you (yes, you can do the trail with kids!), try reading one of these to them.
Is your favorite book not on the list?
Tell us which book on the Camino de Santiago has inspired you the most to do the Camino:
originally published on April 23, 2020
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