This September marked an exciting new chapter in my Camino journey.

I had the opportunity to create, plan, prepare and guide my first two Camino walking itineraries for Ian Taylor Trekking — two very different journeys, but both filled with incredible scenery, wonderful people and memorable experiences.

Having spent years walking, exploring and filming on the Camino, including producing my documentary Buen Camino: Walking the French Way, it was particularly rewarding to return to the trail and introduce others to the world of the Camino de Santiago.

And choosing which photographs to share with this story was no easy task. There were so many memorable moments, beautiful landscapes, historic places and shared experiences along the way that narrowing them down to just a handful was a real challenge.

Camino Francés — September 3–11, 2026
Our first journey was a 9-day trip along the Camino Francés, with a group of seven guests.
We spent six days walking, covering 133 km / 83 miles along the Camino. The route took us through beautiful countryside, historic towns and villages, and some of the remarkable landscapes that make the Camino Francés such a special walking experience.

The weather certainly kept us warm. Temperatures reached around 95°F / 35°C on several days, but we were incredibly fortunate to have plenty of sunshine and blue skies throughout the journey. Remarkably, we experienced only around 15 minutes of rain during the entire trip.

The seven walkers were a fantastic group. It was wonderful to see everyone embrace the experience and enjoy the walking, the itinerary and the many different aspects of the Camino.

This was their first introduction to the Camino de Santiago, and seeing their enthusiasm grow as the journey progressed was particularly rewarding.
The Camino is about so much more than simply walking from one place to another. It is the people you meet, the conversations along the trail, the history, the scenery, the food, the unexpected moments and the sense of being part of something much bigger than yourself. It was a pleasure to share that experience with the group.

Camino Francés & Camino Finisterre — September 14-28, 2026
The second journey was a 15-day adventure with eight people.

We began in Sarria, walking the final section of the Camino Francés to Santiago de Compostela.
Reaching Santiago is always a special moment, but this journey didn’t end there. After enjoying a well-earned rest day in Santiago, we continued west along the Camino Finisterre, walking approximately 90 km / 56 miles towards the Atlantic coast and the traditional “End of the World.”

The weather was once again almost perfect for walking. Most days brought temperatures in the 70s°F, with only a couple of days reaching the 90s. And, fittingly, we experienced just a sprinkling of rain on our final day as we reached Finisterre.

It was another fantastic group, and once again it was hugely rewarding to see everyone enjoying the experience. From the first steps out of Sarria to reaching the Atlantic coast, there were plenty of memorable moments, conversations, laughter and opportunities to simply stop and appreciate where we were.
Creating the Journeys

For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of these trips was the opportunity to create the itineraries myself.

There is a great deal of thought and preparation that goes into putting a Camino journey together — deciding the daily distances, selecting the places to stay and visit, considering the pace of the walking, understanding what guests will experience each day and making sure the overall journey works as an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Then, of course, comes the best part: walking it.

Being able to take the itineraries from the planning stage and then experience them with the guests was incredibly satisfying.

My own Camino experiences, along with the research, filming and storytelling that went into Buen Camino: Walking the French Way, have given me a deep appreciation for what makes these journeys so special. It was a privilege to share some of that knowledge and enthusiasm with these two groups.

A Great Start
I’m delighted with how these first two Camino trips went. More importantly, I’m delighted that all 15 walkers enjoyed their Camino journeys.
Each group was different, each itinerary had its own character, and each journey created its own collection of memories. But both reinforced for me just how rewarding it is to introduce people to the Camino and watch them experience it for themselves.

I’m also delighted I was able to guide these trips for Ian Taylor Trekking, and I’m looking forward to sharing more of the story, history and incredible experiences of the Camino de Santiago with future guests.

Looking Ahead to 2027
The success of these first two trips has made me even more excited about the journeys ahead.

May 2027
17-day Camino Portugués Coastal Route
A spectacular journey following the Portuguese coast before continuing towards Santiago de Compostela.
9-day Camino Francés
Another opportunity to experience the historic French Way as part of a small guided group.

September 2027
9-day Camino Francés
15-day Camino Francés & Camino Finisterre

These journeys have also added another milestone to my own Camino journey. I’ve now walked eight Caminos and received eight Compostelas in Santiago de Compostela.

If you’ve been thinking about walking the Camino and would like to experience it as part of a small group, with a carefully created itinerary, thoughtful preparation and an experienced guide, please get in touch.

I’d be delighted to answer any questions and share more information about the 2027 Camino journeys. I’m looking forward to many more Camino journeys and to sharing the experience with future guests.

For more information about upcoming Camino trips, visit Trek the Camino de Santiago

Buen Camino!