New American Route

It would appear that there is a new American route/event that allows you to walk 3 days on the beach in Florida this December to the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche.

Much like the route in the UK, the Cathedral in Santiago has agreed to award credit for the km walked between Jacksonville and the old Spanish colonial shrine in St Augustine.

Im not sure where you would have to start on the Frances after Sarria.

But for Americans who cannot manage taking much time away from family or employment to earn their Compostela, this is a good option.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday in FL in December then 4 days walking in Spain in May sounds lovely. Sounds better than walking in the UK rain in May too, if you ask me.

If you’ve done the Portuguese or Israel, you know that beach walking sounds lovely, but has a bit of an added challenge to go with the spectacular views.

There is a registration fee but a Catholic charity is organizing it, so the fee likely only covers costs. I don’t know.

Tincatinker said:

There is no “let” on the Camino Francés. The Pilgrim Offices extrapolation of the 100km rule applies explicitly and exclusively to the Camino Inglés from A Coruña.

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This route is roughly 50 km and recognized by the Pilgrim Office.

Anyone wanting to attempt it can confirm this information by calling the Cathedral in St Augustine and the Pligrim Office.

FWIW, apparently you don’t have to join this group event to complete it.

You can obtain a credential from the St Augustine cathedral office at any time, start in Jacksonville, and obtain at least three stamps. They will give you a distance certificate which can be applied at the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago no matter which route you walk, Frances, Ingles, etc., so long as you arrive on foot having completed the full 100 km.

Again, this is brand new in the last year and still in development. So I would check with the cathedral in the USA and the Pilgrim Office to confirm any changes to policies before you depart.