Welcome to
Santiago Trails

Pilgrimage. There are many dimensions to making a pilgrimage.  The pilgrim embarks on a ritual journey in search of many things. Pilgrim, way and shrine are all essential elements of this journey, which is different from all others in that it establishes a special relationship between the earthly and the holy, between the individual and the group and because the pilgrim is transformed along the way. The physical effort required to reach the pilgrim’s goal is a metaphor for the human spiritual journey, full of sacrifices, abnegation and heartache, but also joy, goodness and meaning. 

Guide. The role of the “guide” is to tell and show the way to be followed. As the pilgrim prepares for his or her journey—and then as it is undertaken once on the trail—the guide fulfils this fundamental function by becoming a precious previous contact with the experience, providing guidelines to follow, recommendations to facilitate completing the route, and basic tools and advice that will make up for the lack of experience of the uninitiated. Everyone needs guides and mentors. Many of society's current problems stem from too many people forgetting this basic facet of the human condition.