Camino King

Guides

Every guide in one place

Notes, mistakes and answers from the trail since 2016. Everything has been walked, worn and weighed before it gets recommended.

Camino de Santiago

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Planning

Can You Bring Your Work on the Camino? Here Is What I Got Out of It

I brought my laptop on the Camino de Santiago. Here is how working a few hours a day on a pilgrimage actually feels, and whether you should try it.

Mindset

Camino de Santiago Tattoo: Inspiration for Your Scallop Shell Ink

Many pilgrims mark the Camino with a tattoo. Here is inspiration for your Camino tattoo, a real pilgrim's story and a lesson I learned the hard way.

Planning

Can You Cycle the Camino? A Guide to Your Pilgrimage on Two Wheels

Yes, you can cycle the Camino de Santiago. Here is what to expect from the terrain, the daily distances and how to prepare your bike and body.

Mindset

Books About the Camino: What to Read Before You Walk

A hiker's reading list for the Camino de Santiago: guidebooks, memoirs and pilgrimage classics worth reading before you lace up your boots.

Routes

The History of the Way of St. James: Camino Explained

What is the Way of St. James? Learn the history of the Camino de Santiago, the scallop shell symbol, St. James's Day and what it takes to walk the route.

Routes

What Is the Camino de Santiago? The Camino and Its Many Routes Explained

The Camino de Santiago is not one trail but a whole network of pilgrim routes. Here is how it works and how to choose the right Camino for you.

Planning

How long is the Camino? Distance, stages and walking time

The Camino Frances is around 775 km and takes 25-35 days to walk. See all 31 official stages, distances and what the terrain is really like.

Mindset

Walking the Camino alone: is it safe, and is it better?

Can you walk the Camino alone? Yes, and it can be liberating. Honest experience from several solo Caminos, plus advice on safety and choosing a route.

Planning

What does food cost on the Camino? My budget-friendly guide

Food on the Camino is cheap. I spent around 12-20 euros per day eating well. See a real daily food budget, pilgrim menu advice and cafe Spanish.

Hiking routes worldwide

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Denmark

The Five Best Hiking Routes on Bornholm

From the Helligdomsklipperne cliffs to Dueodde: here are the five best hiking routes on Bornholm with distances, difficulty and practical info for your trip.

World

Hiking the Caldera de Bandama on Gran Canaria

A 3.5 km crater hike in the Caldera de Bandama on Gran Canaria. See the route, history, views and tips for an easy trip you can walk in about an hour.

World

The 10 Best Hiking Trails on Gran Canaria: A Guide to the Island's Most Beautiful Paths

Gran Canaria is a hiker's paradise. Discover the 10 best trails on the island, from Roque Nublo to the Maspalomas dunes, tested on foot by a Camino walker.

Denmark

Farum Lake Loop: the Best 10 km Route on Zealand?

It is about 10 km around Farum Lake. See the map, facts, parking and sights like Gretesholm on one of north Zealand's best walking routes.

Denmark

Boserup Forest: Shelters, Fire Pits and Walking Routes

Guide to Boserup Forest by Roskilde Fjord: walking routes, shelters, fire pits, parking and practical info for a trip in the hilly terrain.

Denmark

The Hærvejen Race: Guide to Routes, Prices and Experiences

Guide to the Hærvejen Race on the Army Road. See the 11 cycling routes from 40 to 300 kilometres, prices, stops and our own experiences from the ride.

Denmark

Bagsværd Lake Loop: 7 km Route, Map and Guide

It is about 7 km around Bagsværd Lake. See the route, map, parking and everything good about this lake in the Mølleå system near Copenhagen.

Denmark

Amarminoen: Route, Map, Length and Accommodation (27 km)

Guide to Amarminoen, a 27 kilometre walking route on Amager. See the route, map, starting points, shelter accommodation and our verdict on the trip.

Denmark

The Gendarme Path: Length, Map, Stages and My Verdict

Guide to the Gendarme Path in southern Denmark. 84 kilometres along the Danish-German border with stages, maps, accommodation, history and my own verdict.

Gear and packing

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Gear

Hiking Socks for the Camino: My Guide to Beating Blisters

Socks decide whether you get blisters on the Camino. My guide to merino wool, the two-layer system, how many pairs, washing and fit, so your feet last all the way.

Gear

Electrolytes for Hikers: What They Are and When They Actually Help

What electrolytes are, why they matter on long hot hikes, and when you can skip them. Practical advice from years of long-distance walking on the Camino.

Gear

Sleeping Bag Liners: Cotton, Silk or Fleece? How to Choose

A sleeping bag liner can replace or upgrade your sleeping bag on the Camino. Here is how cotton, silk and fleece compare, and when to bring one.

Gear

Microfiber Travel Towels: What I Learned After 800 km on the Camino

Is a microfiber travel towel worth packing? Honest pros and cons after carrying one across the Camino Francés, plus what to look for when you buy.

Gear

Choosing a Power Bank for Hiking: What Actually Matters on the Trail

How to pick the right power bank for long hikes and the Camino. Capacity, weight, ports and flight rules explained by a hiker who learned the hard way.

Gear

Which Backpack Should I Choose? A Practical Guide for the Camino

How to pick the right backpack for the Camino: sizes in liters, weight rules, packing order and the five features that matter most on a long walk.

Gear

Hiking tents: how to choose the right one

Buying a tent for hiking or camping? Here is my guide to weight, waterproofing and size, so you find the right tent for the trip.

Gear

Walking socks: how to avoid blisters on the route

Choosing walking socks for the Camino? Here are my experiences with merino wool, double layer and fit, so you avoid blisters on long trips.

Gear

Sleeping mats: a guide to the best sleep in nature

Buying a sleeping mat for hiking or camping? Here is my guide to the four types and to weight, comfort and packing, so you sleep well outdoors.

Gear

Sleeping bags for hiking: a guide to the right choice

Buying a sleeping bag for the Camino? Here is my guide to comfort temperature, weight, liners, washing and packing, so you sleep well on the route.

Gear

Hiking backpacks for the Camino: how to choose the right one

Buying a backpack for the Camino or your next hike? Here is my guide to liters, material, comfort and the features that matter most.

Gear

Outdoor gear for hiking: the big guide

Looking for outdoor gear for hiking and outdoor life? Here is my overview of the backpack, footwear, sleeping bag and the kit that matters most on the trip.

Gear

Trekking poles for the Camino: pros, cons and how to choose

Should you bring trekking poles on the Camino? Here are my honest experiences with the pros, cons and a simple guide to setting your poles correctly.

Gear

Hiking boots for the Camino: how to find the best pair

Buying hiking boots for the Camino? Here is my guide to terrain, fit, ankle support and waterproofing, so you avoid blisters on the route.

Packing

The complete Camino packing list

A field-tested Camino packing list from a hiker who has walked several routes. What to bring, what to leave at home, and answers to common questions.

Body and fitness

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Fitness

How Long Should Cross-Country Skis Be? Finding the Right Size

Buying or hiring cross-country skis and poles? See the tables of recommended ski and pole length by your height, and what else to take into account.

Fitness

All About Cross-Country Skiing: A Beginner's Guide

Dreaming of a cross-country skiing holiday? Learn the basic techniques, see the 15 best destinations in the world and get your gear sorted in this beginner's guide.

Fitness

VO2 Max: Boost Your Outdoor Performance with Oxygen Uptake

What is a good VO2 max? See the tables for women and men by age, the difference between VO2 max and fitness score, and how to train your oxygen uptake.

Food on the trail

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Food

Banana Pancakes for Outdoor Adventures

Delicious banana pancakes made with banana, egg and oats. Easy energy food you can fry over a fire or on a Trangia and take along the way.

Food

Campfire Goulash for Four

Heartwarming goulash with beef, paprika and root vegetables. It simmers tender over a fire or Trangia and fills you up after a long day on the trail.

Food

Chili con Carne for the Campfire

Rich chili con carne with beef, beans, corn and spices. A filling pot with warmth and bite, perfect for an evening around the fire.

Food

Homemade Pizza for Outdoor Adventures

Pizza from scratch with a crisp base, homemade tomato sauce and fresh toppings. Bake it in the oven or over the fire after a day in the open.

Food

Pickled Red Onions for Trail Lunches

Crisp, tangy and sweet pickled red onions that lift any dish. Easy to make at home and bring along as a colourful kick for your trail food.

Food

Homemade Pizza Dough from Scratch

A soft, airy pizza dough with only a handful of ingredients. Knead it, let it rise, and you have the base for a genuinely good pizza, at home or on the trail.

Food

Swedish Sausage Stew over the Fire

Korv stroganoff, the Swedish classic with sausages in a creamy paprika sauce. Rich and easy comfort food that also works on a camping stove.

Food

Boiled Chestnuts on the Camino

Healthy, tasty chestnuts cooked on the trail. All you need is chestnuts, water, salt and a pot. A cheap meal and a fine snack for the trip.

Reading and inspiration

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Reading

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall: the running book I have recommended to the most people

My review of Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. The book about the Tarahumara, ultrarunning and barefoot technique that changed how I see running forever.

Reading

The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant: mindset for body and everyday life

My review of The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant. On dedication, mindset and why the book is perfect to read in small bites before an active day.

Reading

Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins: the best audiobook for long trips

My review of Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins. Over 13 hours of raw inspiration about mental strength, perfect as an audiobook on a long hike.