FAQ

The St. James Way (Camino Latvia) routes can be undertaken both individually and together with friends or family members. You do not need to be part of an organized group or wait for special permission to embark on the journey. The route is open year-round – all you need is the desire, preparation, and readiness for an adventure.
Individual Travel
Travelers, pilgrims, or small groups who choose to travel individually are responsible not only for planning the journey but also for booking accommodations, meals, safety, and other necessities. Members of the Latvian St. James Way Association can assist by providing the necessary information and answering questions on the Facebook page or Camino Latvia Talks https://www.facebook.com/groups/caminolatviatalks via email at [email protected]. If needed, you can also contact consultants for each stage of the route, whose details are available on the website http://www.caminolatvia.com.
Group Travel
Leaders or organizers responsible for larger groups (10 or more people) are encouraged to introduce the group with the history of St. James Way and to ensure the reservation of accommodations for the pilgrims in advance. The currently known Camino Latvia accommodations have varying capacities, so this should be taken into account when planning the journey.
Traveling with Camino Latvia-organized groups
The Latvian St. James Way Association organizes several hikes throughout the year that are open to everyone. Information about Camino Latvia-organized hikes can be found on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/caminolatvia or in the “News” section of the Camino Latvia website https://caminolatvia.com/news/.

The Camino Latvia route begins in Valga, at the border between Estonia and Latvia. This is an official part of the St. James Way (Camino de Santiago) that passes through Latvia and is connected to the European St. James Way network. From Valga, pilgrims continue through various Latvian towns and villages, such as Valmiera, Cēsis, and Sigulda, until reaching Rīga.
From Rīga, Camino Latvia continues in two different directions toward the Latvian-Lithuanian border: Augstkalne/Žagare or Skaistkalne/Germaniški.

The starting point of Camino Latvia in Valga can be reached in two ways:
Arrival by private transport
Travelers are responsible for the safety of their parked vehicle and choosing a suitable parking spot.
Arrival by public transport
Information about bus and train schedules can be found on the website https://www.1188.lv/satiksme .

This information also applies for the return journey after completing the Camino Latvia route.

The marking of the St. James Way in Latvia is in one direction – towards Santiago de Compostela. For the marking universally recognized symbols are used in Latvia – yellow arrows and seashells on a dark blue background, which indicate the direction toward the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. In Latvia, these symbols are implemented in various ways – as signs on specially planted road posts, as plaques, or small stickers on various environmental objects. There are many signs along the route, so at every turn or intersection, you will always find a yellow arrow or seashell pointing you in the right direction.
A special and popular type of marking in Latvian forests is yellow arrows on birdhouses. In some places, the right direction is indicated by pilgrim boots. You might also encounter arrows painted with color on stones or road edges, and even simple yellow ribbons tied around tree trunks. Follow the signs and walk safely!

You can use the Camino Latvia mobile app or general maps of region printed by Jāņa Sēta in 2024 or latter or you can download the GPX and KML tracks from the Route section of the Camino Latvia website, at the beginning of each stage description: https://caminolatvia.com/route/ . You can download them to your smart devices or print the map in PDF format. You will also find detailed descriptions of each stage there.

The Pilgrim’s Passport, also known as the Camino de Santiago Passport or Credencial del Peregrino, is a special document used by pilgrims walking the St. James Way (Camino de Santiago). It contains information about the pilgrim’s name, nationality, starting point, and date of departure. This passport serves as a personal document that verifies the completion of a specific section of the route and allows access to affordable accommodations (alberges) that are only available to pilgrims. The passport is required to receive the Compostela – an official certificate confirming that you have completed a part of the St. James Way at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

The Pilgrim’s Passport can currently be purchased in 14 locations in Latvia:

In Vidzeme – Valkas TIC, Valkas Lugažu Evangelical Lutheran Church, Strenči Evangelical Lutheran Church, Valmiera TIC, Cēsis TIC, souvenir shop “Pie Karlīnas” in Cēsis, Sigulda TIC.
In Rīga – St. James Cathedral in Rīga, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (LELB) headquarters, Mārupe Tourism Information and Craft Center.
In Zemgale – “Alberģe Līvbērze” accommodation, Dobele TIC.
On the Meinards Path – “Labumu bode” store in Ikšķile, Vecumnieki TIC.

For more detailed information, refer to the relevant stage descriptions or the Svētceļnieka pases
Pilgrim’s Passports can also be sent   by Omniva or DPD parcel service (service cost 3,50Eur). Please write to the email: [email protected] indicating the address of the most convenient parcel machine location and your phone number.

The price of the Pilgrim’s Passport is 4 EUR

Yes.
The passport issued by the Latvian St. James Way Association is accredited by the Pilgrim Reception Office at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (La Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino de la Catedral de Santiago). By completing any route of the St. James Way will the end at Catedral de Santiago, you will be able to receive the Compostela – a certificate that confirms the pilgrim has completed the pilgrimage, which is considered an important religious, spiritual, and personal journey. This document is symbolic, acknowledging the dedication, physical endurance, and spiritual journey that people have undertaken to reach the Cathedral of St. James.

Pilgrim stamps are usually used to mark the stages of the pilgrimage journey, as well as to confirm the pilgrim’s participation at specific pilgrimage sites. These are special stamps placed in the pilgrim’s passport to indicate that they have completed certain routes or visited particular locations. In Latvia, these stamps can be obtained at each stage. For more detailed information, visit the Route section on the Camino Latvia website, in the description of each stage: https://caminolatvia.com/route/
A summary is provided in the attached excel table Stamp locations

We recommend searching for accommodation on the Camino Latvia website under the Route section, in the description of each specific stage: https://caminolatvia.com/route/ . Pilgrim accommodations are specially arranged in churches, parish houses, community centers, private homes, or agreements have been made for discounted pilgrim lodging (with the pilgrim’s passport) in existing guesthouses, campsites, and hotels. Accommodation is usually provided at the beginning and end of each stage of the Camino Latvia route.
For travelers’ convenience, Camino Latvia is divided into stages, each approximately 20-25 km long. However, in some stages, there are options to stay at accommodations in the middle of the stage. Pilgrims can, of course, choose to stay not only in designated pilgrim accommodations but also in hotels, rural tourism estates, or campsites according to personal preference. Camping is also an option.

Full information about accommodations is provided in the attached excel table – Accomodations_2025

It is mandatory. We recommend contacting the accommodations at least 3 days in advance.

If you want to enjoy nature and the journey comfortably, the best time would be spring and summer. However, if you’re looking for a quieter experience and beautiful autumn views, choose the fall. In winter, the journey can be more challenging, and it is best suited for experienced travelers.

It is not necessary to walk the Camino Latvia route without interruption, and in fact, most people do not complete it in one go. The route is very long, and it can be physically challenging, so many pilgrims choose to break it into several parts, taking partial hikes over different periods of time. For the convenience of travelers, Camino Latvia is divided into stages, each approximately 20-25 km long. It is possible to walk also shorter stages as there are accommodations available also in between. Since the route has many historical and cultural landmarks, people tend to stop more often to explore the surrounding environment.

Food and water are important components when planning the Camino Latvia route, but how much you need to carry depends on the chosen stage of the route, its distance, and the availability of shops or food options along the way. Each stage description provides information about stores or water refill locations along the route. If you read that a particular stage leads through forest trails or remote gravel roads, it’s better to prepare by bringing more food and water.

Camino Latvia is suitable for cycling. However, it should be noted that this path is not as smooth and convenient as the paved and marked cycling routes in cities and towns. The Camino Latvia route also includes rural gravel roads, hills, forest trails, and streams. In some places, you will need to push or carry your bike over bridges. Upon arriving at a Pilgrim’s Hostel or other accommodation, you will need to consult with the staff about the storage and security of your bike or take care of it yourself. Therefore, it’s recommended to check the bike storage conditions at the pilgrim accommodation before your trip.
More detailed information for cyclists by stage: https://caminolatvia.com/information-for-those-who-make-camino-by-bicycle/

Walking the Camino Latvia with small children is not prohibited, but each person must assess their child’s physical fitness and mental resilience.

Traveling with four-legged friends (dogs) is a great joy, and some pilgrims will certainly want to embark on the journey with their pet. In this case, the following points should be kept in mind:
* The Camino Latvia route includes rural and forest roads where free-running dogs may pose a risk to your pet.
* In cities, towns, villages, and public transport, you must follow the rules for walking dogs in public places (on a leash, ensuring environmental cleanliness, etc.).
* When entering churches, stores, institutions, or community buildings, pets must be left outside the building, ensuring the safety of the pet and passersby.
* We recommend checking the possibility of keeping pets in pilgrim accommodations before your trip. You must consult the administration about pet accommodations and are responsible for your pet’s behavior.

Overall, the contents of the backpack can be organized quite simply – by dividing items based on their category into small (but fairly thick) not rustling plastic bags (so that you wouldn’t disturb your roommates). This allows for quick access to what is needed and helps maintain some order in the pack. Each bag can be further organized by using even smaller bags for better categorization. The main bags are as follows:
Bag 1 – Money, documents
Bag 2 – Clothes
Bag 3 – Hygiene, medications, and other small items
Bag 4 – Electronics
Bag 5 – Food

If an accident occurs on the road, call the general emergency assistance number 112.
In many cities and towns along the Camino Latvia route, there are pharmacies where you can purchase necessary medications. However, before starting the hike, it is recommended to prepare a first aid kit containing the required medications: bandages, ointments for muscle and joint pain, painkillers, disinfectants, and other medications as deemed necessary by each pilgrim.

When walking the Camino Latvia with a mobile phone and internet connection, there shouldn’t be major issues, as mobile network coverage in Latvia is extremely good. Temporary service interruptions may occur in denser forests, lower valleys, or sparsely populated areas far from communication towers. Your mobile service provider can provide more precise information.