WHAT’S it like to take on a long-distance pilgrim walk? How do you cope on cold wet days? What’s it like meeting other pilgrims? There are so many questions people ask before they take on their first Camino and it would be easy to disappear down an online rabbit hole trying to get some answers. But fear not, Great Walks has spoken to a number of people who have walked a Camino (or three!) so you may well find many of those questions answered here.
Monica Barrett (65) and Alison Mott (67), Manly, Qld
GRW: What Caminos have you walked and how long were they?
We have walked the Camino Portuguese from Barcelos to Santiago de Compostela, the via Francigena from Lucca to Rome, and in 2023 the Cammino Materano from Cassano del Murge to Matera (on the via Peuceta) and Carovigno to Matera (on the via Ellenica). The Cammino Materano took 18 days combined.
GRW: What kept you going on the tough days?
The thought of good food and a comfortable bed helps! Also, reflecting on the beauty and talking with people we meet along the way - so many have greater challenges to overcome than us. The Cammino Materano has a network of enthusiastic volunteers located in each town, who are available to assist with advice and support if a pilgrim needs it, and they often welcome pilgrims on arrival to town and stamp their pilgrim credentials. They are able to offer encouragement for the ongoing Camino journey. The Cammino Materano was fairly arid in the time we were walking, so finding some shade gave us an opportunity to regroup
