A Holy year is starting - What will it mean for pilgrims?

[alexwalker]

Tonight at 19.00 CET, pope Frans will open the holy door in St. Peter's church in Rome. It wil be broadcasted live on TV in many countries. I will for sure be watching. This will mark the beginning of a worldwide holy year for the Catholic community. It will end on Jan. 6th 2026.

But what will it mean for us who are planning to walk a camino next year? Will it be overcrowded? Will beds be unavailable? Will it be necessary to book days ahead? I fear a traffic jam at least on the Camino Frances...

I am planning my next Camino in May with my daughter, so I am a bit worried. Any thoughts/Knowledge?

BTW: Merry Christmas to you all!

 

[J Willhaus]

Merry Christmas @alexwalker!

I think you are an experienced pilgrim and you'll know what to do when and if you're presented with an issue. You know all the options such as taking a cab forward or back, asking at the local bar, staying in towns that others don't, etc. You can teach your daughter the tips, too!

Buen Camino!

 

[Kathor1]

The previous Jubilee Years declared by the Pope were the year 2000 and the year 2016.

Did they have much of an impact on the Camino Francés along its 800 kilometres?

 

[Tincatinker]

Tonight at 19.00 CET, pope Frans will open the holy door in St. Peter's church in Rome. It wil be broadcasted live on TV in many countries. I will for sure be watching. This will mark the beginning of a worldwide holy year for the Catholic community. It will end on Jan. 6th 2026.

But what will it mean for us who are planning to walk a camino next year? Will it be overcrowded? Will beds be unavailable? Will it be necessary to book days ahead? I fear a traffic jam at least on the Camino Frances...

I am planning my next Camino in May with my daughter, so I am a bit worried. Any thoughts/Knowledge?

BTW: Merry Christmas to you all!

Alex, these events occur in Rome. The Holy Door in Santiago will not be opening.

Impact on the Spanish Caminos? Probably minimal

 

[alexwalker]

Merry Christmas @alexwalker!

I think you are an experienced pilgrim and you'll know what to do when and if you're presented with an issue. You know all the options such as taking a cab forward or back, asking at the local bar, staying in towns that others don't, etc. You can teach your daughter the tips, too!

Buen Camino!

Thank you!

He, he, yes, I have a relaxed attitude: There's always a solution. But I am also thinking of firsttimers, also considering this year's panic in May.

 

[trecile]

also considering this year's panic in May.

We can always find people panicking in May. I doubt that next year will be any different.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The previous Jubilee Years declared by the Pope were the year 2000 and the year 2016.

Did they have much of an impact on the Camino Francés along its 800 kilometres?

2016 yes most certainly.

2000, not so much -- but 2016 was exceptional from every Cathedral opening its Holy Door.

Also it was more or less halfway between the previous and the following Compostelan Holy Years.

 

[Marbe2]

Thank you!

He, he, yes, I have a relaxed attitude: There's always a solution. But I am also thinking of firsttimers, also considering this year's panic in May.

Whether a Holy year or not, knowing your daughter’s capabilities, strengths, etc, would help you determine how much you actually need to plan or whether you can wing it. How far can she walk daily? Have you walked with her for a length of time? Doing some walking together before you leave May Be advisable.

 

[alexwalker]

Whether a Holy year or not, knowing your daughter’s capabilities, strengths, etc, would help you determine how much you actually need to plan or whether you can wing it. How far can she walk daily? Have you walked with her for a length of time? Doing some walking together before you leave May Be advisable.

My daughter is a tough woman. She can walk nearly as fast and far as me, so no problem there: I sometimes stop for a beer while waiting for her.

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

Tonight at 19.00 CET, pope Frans will open the holy door in St. Peter's church in Rome. It wil be broadcasted live on TV in many countries. I will for sure be watching. This will mark the beginning of a worldwide holy year for the Catholic community. It will end on Jan. 6th 2026.

But what will it mean for us who are planning to walk a camino next year? Will it be overcrowded? Will beds be unavailable? Will it be necessary to book days ahead? I fear a traffic jam at least on the Camino Frances...

I am planning my next Camino in May with my daughter, so I am a bit worried. Any thoughts/Knowledge?

BTW: Merry Christmas to you all!

I think any big traffice jam wil be on the way to Rome. I'm planning Tui-Santiago in May and hoping it won't be too crowded. I have walked two Holy Years to Santiago since 2008 and I had no problem with albergues or the occasional casa rural. I will go to Rome at some point in 2025 and walk a nominal pilgrimage from the Basilica de Santa Maria in Aracoerli to St Peter's.
Happy Christmas to all with peace and good health in 2025.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I will be on the Camino Vasco in early May and doubt I will experience many crowds on that route.

 

[dick bird]

I will be on the Camino Vasco in early May and doubt I will experience many crowds on that route.

You can say that again! In May/June this year we met three other pilgrims. Lovely Camino by the way.

 

[Kathor1]

The previous Jubilee Years declared by the Pope were the year 2000 and the year 2016. Did they have much of an impact on the Camino Francés along its 800 kilometres?

In answer to my own question: @Bradypus posted the graph of yearly figures for Compostelas in the aptly named thread about the endless handwringing about the crowds.

The graph shows that the annual figures for Compostelas (one measure for pilgrim fluctuation) for the Roman Holy Year 2000 and the Roman Holy Year 2016 did not show any noticeable increase - just the familiar year on year increase.

See graph in https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...he-crowds-may-be-premature.89957/post-1314579

 

[VNwalking]

If anything it could draw people to the Via Francigena who might otherwise be walking to Santiago. But I can't imagine that will make much of a dent to the number of pilgrims in Spain, because many are oblivious to the religious aspect of the walk.

 

[Lexicos]

Depending on how flexible you are, there’s nearly always a solution to the issues you’ve articulated. I think they are the concerns most of us have, first timers and veterans. I think it’s quite natural to get a little nervous, especially if you’re not going solo. And especially if it’s your daughter, I guess it raises the bar a little.
My approach is to give myself as much flexibility as possible, to have minimal fixed plans and minimal to no expectations. After 5 Camino’s I’ve yet to be disappointed, I’ve enjoyed the company of many pilgrims and the solitude of no pilgrims and I’ve slept in hostels, hotels and chapel floors. One time, in someone’s back yard, on concrete. It was a great night, I watched falling stars till 5 in the morning.
I just refuse to get wound up about it, about anything. I go, if it works I stay, if not, I leave.
Granted not everyone can do it this way. But these days I simply refuse to do it any other way.

 

[Camineiro]

Hi Alex,

I agree with Tincatinker: the impact on spanish caminos will be minimal, if any?

However, if you fear masses of pilgrims why not staying in Norway enjoying one of the beautiful Olavsleden routes into Trondheim.
E.g. Gudbrandsdalen way from Oslo or S:t Olavsleden from Sundsval/Sweden.
I enjoyed Sundsval-Trondheim this summer very much, same as 12 years ago on Gudbrandsdalen way.
The landscape is far more spectacular than in Spain, to my opinion, and far, far less pilgrims on the way.

Wherever you‘ll walk
Ultreya
Uwe

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I'll be in Rome the last week of February 2025. Because of the holy year, I expected to have trouble booking economical rooms, but there were many options.

It didn't even occur to me that the happenings in Rome would affect the Spanish Camino. But I could imagine there would be a few people who combine the two or were encouraged to do a pilgrimage. But I think you would choose something that ends in Rome.

And don't worry, after a few weeks in Italy, I'll be coming to Spain and doing some of the Mozarabe, all things willing!
Big holiday greetings to everyone here.

 

[jrewins]

I will be on the Camino Vasco in early May and doubt I will experience many crowds on that route.

I’ll be on the VdlP starting in mid-March, and from what I hear, I’ll welcome the occasional crowd or two!

 

[bullingtonce]

Tonight at 19.00 CET, pope Frans will open the holy door in St. Peter's church in Rome. It wil be broadcasted live on TV in many countries. I will for sure be watching. This will mark the beginning of a worldwide holy year for the Catholic community. It will end on Jan. 6th 2026.

But what will it mean for us who are planning to walk a camino next year? Will it be overcrowded? Will beds be unavailable? Will it be necessary to book days ahead? I fear a traffic jam at least on the Camino Frances...

I am planning my next Camino in May with my daughter, so I am a bit worried. Any thoughts/Knowledge?

BTW: Merry Christmas to you all!

Who knows what it will mean. For some, it means nothing; for others, it means a little something; for others, it means something; for others, it means quite a bit; and for some others, it means everything. There is no strict formula here. Humans are as varied as there are plants, trees, or insects. The key, perhaps, is not other people, but you/yourself. My take--do not let worries hold you back or deflect you from your plans. If this is what you and your daughter want to do then do it. What will come, will come. What will happen, happens. it is all irrelevant. It is a holy year for you so make it a holy Camino for you and your precious daughter. Leave second thoughts and regrets behind. Chuck

 

[JerryStroebele]

My daughter is a tough woman. She can walk nearly as fast and far as me, so no problem there: I sometimes stop for a beer while waiting for her.

My daughter is a tough woman. She can walk much faster and farther than me. So no problem there, she often stops for a beer (a Radler) while waiting for me. Buen Camino

 

[asl]

Alex, these events occur in Rome. The Holy Door in Santiago will not be opening.

Impact on the Spanish Caminos? Probably minimal

As a person of faith, though not Catholic, can you enlighten me as to why the Holy Door won't be open in Santiago?

 

[SabsP]

As a person of faith, though not Catholic, can you enlighten me as to why the Holy Door won't be open in Santiago?

I am not Tincatinker but I can answer.
Because it is not a Jacobean Holy Year. For more explanations see these links.

Holy Door (Santiago de Compostela) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Jacobean Holy Year - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

A Jacobean Holy Year is when the feast of St James falls on a Sunday ( always the 25th of July ).

 

[obinjatoo]

Tonight at 19.00 CET, pope Frans will open the holy door in St. Peter's church in Rome. It wil be broadcasted live on TV in many countries. I will for sure be watching. This will mark the beginning of a worldwide holy year for the Catholic community. It will end on Jan. 6th 2026.

But what will it mean for us who are planning to walk a camino next year? Will it be overcrowded? Will beds be unavailable? Will it be necessary to book days ahead? I fear a traffic jam at least on the Camino Frances...

I am planning my next Camino in May with my daughter, so I am a bit worried. Any thoughts/Knowledge?

BTW: Merry Christmas to you all!

It's already over-crowded. But the thing that has REALLY made it silly and more difficult is the use of technology to pre-book everything. The true spirit of a pilgrimage lies in the mystery. One can no longer rock up to an albergue and ask for a bed. There are very few. Grateful I walked when I did 10 years ago before capitalism ran amok and turned it into Las Vegas.

 

[Bradypus]

As a person of faith, though not Catholic, can you enlighten me as to why the Holy Door won't be open in Santiago?

Because Santiago has its own different sequence for Jubilee years. In Santiago a Holy Year happens when July 25th - the feast day of Santiago - falls on a Sunday. Then the cathedral's Puerta Santa is opened and a similar plenary indulgence is available to those who pass through, make confession and receive absolution, and receive communion. Santiago Holy Years usually see a marked increase in Compostela numbers. The next Santiago Holy year is 2027. The Xunta have set aside a budget of over 100 million euro for preparation and promotion. One could argue that the massive investment to promote the 1993 Holy Year marks the point where the late 20th century Camino revival really gained momentum.

 

[SabsP]

It's already over-crowded. But the thing that has REALLY made it silly and more difficult is the use of technology to pre-book everything. The true spirit of a pilgrimage lies in the mystery. One can no longer rock up to an albergue and ask for a bed. There are very few. Grateful I walked when I did 10 years ago before capitalism ran amok and turned it into Las Vegas.

1. Wen used wisely, technology can be a help.
2. Mystery is what we make ourselves.
3. You can still enter albergues without reservation. For instance all the donativos and the Xunta albergues.
Especially in low season.
4. The Camino is not about Capitalism. Sure locals try to gain some money from the passing pilgrims and who can blame them? But the Camino is not a tax evading multinational ( that is Capitalism ).
5. Las Vegas ? Hardly. There are no tacky weddingchapels or slotmachines.
6. There is always the option to walk lesser travelled Caminos.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

One can no longer rock up to an albergue and ask for a bed. There are very few. Grateful I walked when I did 10 years ago before capitalism ran amok and turned it into Las Vegas.

Have Faith. Although I know it changed a lot in the last 10 years, when I did the Camino Frances in a busy April and May of this year, although it was quite crowded, about halfway through I threw advance booking to the wind, and it worked out just fine. There were enough Albergue beds everywhere.

So you can still have that experience on the Frances, and most of the dozens of lesser-known routes throughout Spain are probably like walking the Camino Frances in the 1970s. There's almost no one.

Of course, your larger point is true. It really didn't feel like a pilgrimage, and more like a 800 km long party. A good one with great people. Again, the dozens of other lesser-known Camino's in Spain solve that.

 

[Annetom]

Tonight at 19.00 CET, pope Frans will open the holy door in St. Peter's church in Rome. It wil be broadcasted live on TV in many countries. I will for sure be watching. This will mark the beginning of a worldwide holy year for the Catholic community. It will end on Jan. 6th 2026.

But what will it mean for us who are planning to walk a camino next year? Will it be overcrowded? Will beds be unavailable? Will it be necessary to book days ahead? I fear a traffic jam at least on the Camino Frances...

I am planning my next Camino in May with my daughter, so I am a bit worried. Any thoughts/Knowledge?

BTW: Merry Christmas to you all!

Happy Christmas

 

[Anamiri]

The previous Jubilee Years declared by the Pope were the year 2000 and the year 2016.

Did they have much of an impact on the Camino Francés along its 800 kilometres?

I walked in 2016, but I chose September and it was busy anyway. Plus I hadn't walked prior to that so I wouldn't be able to judge the difference, if any.

 

[Lexicos]

I did my first camino in 2017, the Frances. I’ve done it once more since then, in 2023. It has changed. It has changed a lot, as already described above. But then, so have I. And in spite of us both changing a real lot in those 7 years, I still got a lot from it, I still met some lovely people who have become dear friends and I still want to go back and do it again. I agree too that ‘the road less travelled’ offers that peace and authenticity we all crave for in this tech driven world we’ve created.
Change is inevitable. Some good, some not so good. Wanting time to stand still is perfectly natural and perfectly understandable. I too wish it had stood still in 2017. It was a beautiful time, a wonderful year and as transformative camino. But time marches on and so must we. Sadly, we have no say and no choice on that.

 

[jimmyc]

The previous Jubilee Years declared by the Pope were the year 2000 and the year 2016.

Did they have much of an impact on the Camino Francés along its 800 kilometres?

I walked the Portuguese from Lisbon in 2016 and there were very few pilgrims until Porto. More thereafter but certainly not overcrowded on the central route.

 

[trecile]

I walked in 2016, but I chose September and it was busy anyway. Plus I hadn't walked prior to that so I wouldn't be able to judge the difference, if any.

I started my first Camino the last week of August of 2016. I had a reservation at Orisson, and that was it. Wasn't crowded and never had a problem finding a bed. In fact the albergue that I stayed in in O Pedrouzo was only about 1/4 full.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I walked my first Camino in mid-April 2015. I only booked the first night in SJPdP after landing in Madrid, and the last night before flying home. I didn't even know that many albergues also had a few private rooms. I winged it every day on the Frances and didn't know you could do it any other way, taking my ques from "The Way". I'm glad that my "ignorance was actually bliss".

 

[JabbaPapa]

The graph shows that the annual figures for Compostelas (one measure for pilgrim fluctuation) for the Roman Holy Year 2000 and the Roman Holy Year 2016 did not show any noticeable increase - just the familiar year on year increase.

See graph in https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...he-crowds-may-be-premature.89957/post-1314579

That's a good point, though the numbers do not reflect those who went on 2016 Jubilee Year pilgrimage to the other Cathedrals on the various Camino trails -- remember, every single Cathedral opened its Holy Door that year -- and most 2016 pilgrimages were as a consequence shorter and more local.

Except I suppose the pilgrimages to Rome itself must have seen a bump that year.

It might be interesting to see the 2016 SJPP figures in comparison to 2015 and 2017. I'd look myself right now, but I'm just heading out.

But yes, from those figures I would expect 2025 to be a fairly normal Camino year.

 

[lt56ny]

Merry Christmas @alexwalker!

I think you are an experienced pilgrim and you'll know what to do when and if you're presented with an issue. You know all the options such as taking a cab forward or back, asking at the local bar, staying in towns that others don't, etc. You can teach your daughter the tips, too!

Buen Camino!

I am planning my next Camino in May with my daughter, so I am a bit worried. Any thoughts/Knowledge?

BTW: Merry Christmas to you all!

Alex, these events occur in Rome. The Holy Door in Santiago will not be opening.

Impact on the Spanish Caminos? Probably minimal

Senor @J Willhaus, yes Alex is as wonderful and experienced pilgrim that we have on our forum. Yes you are right and I am sure he knows what to do in all situations. But no matter how much he loves the camino he is a daddy and loves his baby girl so, so much more. I am sure you would agree a loving dad mind can get boggled as soon as his child enters the equation. He is about to embark on his greatest camino. Because this one is with his child. How lucky can a dad get. (I am so happy for him but in my pettiness, even more jealous as my daughters don't want to walk the camino no matter how many times I have dropped to my knees and kissed their feet begging them to walk with me. But as always, I digress). For me his worry is just a dad's natural worry. I think it is totally expected. I know if I could coerce one of my girls one day, I would be a babbling fool worried about things that I wouldn't give a second thought to if it was one of my solo caminos.
Senor @J Willhaus thank you for all of the knowledge you have shared on the forum but especially your absolute generosity and love for you and your spouses generous volunteering. Add worried dad or mom to your long list of camino knowledge and love.
Also thanks once again to @Tincatinker and all our moderators who have a wealth of knowledge and great advice to all of us.
Finally to Alex who I have never met, never spoken to, but consider a friend who I would love to meet in some village and walk with one day, you lucky, lucky dog!!!!! I know you will find and experience joy that will resonate through your eternal soul forever!!!
Merry Christmas and a New Year to all three of you. I know Alex sure will have a great year haha.
Merry Christmas to all of our members too and their families!

 

[obinjatoo]

1. Wen used wisely, technology can be a help.
2. Mystery is what we make ourselves.
3. You can still enter albergues without reservation. For instance all the donativos and the Xunta albergues.
Especially in low season.
4. The Camino is not about Capitalism. Sure locals try to gain some money from the passing pilgrims and who can blame them? But the Camino is not a tax evading multinational ( that is Capitalism ).
5. Las Vegas ? Hardly. There are no tacky weddingchapels or slotmachines.
6. There is always the option to walk lesser travelled Caminos.

OK, no slots or chapels. And Elvis hasn't been seen yet. I walked the Portuguese September and October. Donativos were full and municipals were full if we didn't get there by the time the doors opened. One hospitalera described the majority of walkers as "peritourists."
Needless to say, "Pilgrimage" is subjective. I prefer to rely on God not technology for my needs. Unfortunately, there isn't much room for pilgrims any more. This is sad.

 

[BombayBill]

This might help in planning around holiday surges.

https://buff.ly/49VzzUJ

 

[JabbaPapa]

It might be interesting to see the 2016 SJPP figures in comparison to 2015 and 2017. I'd look myself right now, but I'm just heading out.

So it seems that there was a Jubilee Year uptick in the number passing through SJPP compared to 2015 and 2017, but only a pretty minor bump :

Interesting BTW to see that the 2022 number is so low !!

 

[Kathor1]

I tried to inform myself a bit more about what the Holy Year 2025 really means and what it might mean for "pilgrims".

The first and main thing is: The Holy Year 2025 has very little to do with walking on foot, let alone walking long distance on foot.

In the context of the Roman-Catholic Holy Year 2025 which has the motto "Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope" pilgrims means those who travel to a pilgrimage site to express and confirm their faith in the teachings of the Gospel. Their mode of travel is irrelevant.

The cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is, in the context of the Holy Year 2025, just one such pilgrimage site among hundreds of others if not thousands of others around the globe. Each and every diocese's bishop can, or has already, nominated small and large churches in their diocese as "Jubilee churches". I had a look at Bavaria, Belgium, and France. There are so many names of smaller churches and chapels, other than the familiar large cathedrals, that have been nominated as a "Jubilee Church", all of them special pilgrimage sites during the year 2025 in the given context:

In Paris alone, for example, six basiliques ont été désignées par Mgr Ulrich [archbishop of Paris] pour accueillir les fidèles pèlerins tout au long de l’année 2025: Notre-Dame; Basilique du Sacré-Cœur; Basilique Notre-Dame des Victoires; Basilique Sainte Clotilde; Basilique Sainte Jeanne d’Arc, and Basilique Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours.

Or within just a small part of Belgium, there are these three Jubilee 2025 churches:

• Collégiale Sainte-Gertrude de Nivelles
• Basilique Notre-Dame de Basse-Wavre
• Eglise Saint-Médard à Jodoigne

I don't mean this flippantly but much of this is totally off the radar of the Camino peregrino. And not only geographically.