Welcome!

Welcome to the Camino Training Virtual Challenge – the perfect challenge to explore Northern Spain and take on an iconic European trail. Read on to discover the story of ‘El Camino’ and your route options all heading to Santiago de Compostela.

The Story of Camino

For over a thousand years, travellers have followed the roads of the Camino toward the city of Santiago de Compostela with its iconic Cathedral in northern Spain. The cathedral is believed to be built over the tomb of St James the Apostle, one of Jesus’s twelve disciple, and so since the 9th century pilgrims have travelled on foot to Santiago de Compostela.

Guided along ‘El Camino’ trails by yellow arrows and the symbol of the scallop shell, pilgrims travelled across mountains, villages, and open countryside. Some sought faith, others redemption, adventure, or simply the challenge of the journey. What began as a pilgrimage has become something broader nowadays, with thousands taking on the challenge for personal achievement.

For many, walking El Camino is the ultimate goal, but Ultra Challenge invites you to take on the distance at your own pace. Choose your Training Virtual Challenge from three of the historic Camino trails, each representing a different path pilgrims have taken toward Santiago.

600km - Camino Portugués (Lisbon → Santiago)

This classic El Camino route heads north from Lisbon and Porto along one of Europe’s most historic roads. The Camino Portugués winds through vineyard-covered valleys, riverside towns, and centuries-old cities. Walked by kings, merchants, and everyday travellers alike, this route became one of the most important pilgrimage paths in Western Europe. Today, it offers a rich blend of culture and history along a Camino that feels both timeless and deeply connected to those who have walked it before.

800km - Camino Francés (St-Jean → Santiago)

The Camino Francés is the original and most iconic route to Santiago, walked by pilgrims across Europe for centuries. Beginning in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at the foot of the Pyrenees, the journey crosses northern Spain through medieval cities, valleys, and the vast open plains of the Meseta. Along the way, a network of monasteries, churches, and pilgrim hospitals once supported travellers on this demanding journey. Rich in history and scale, this is the most well-known Camino and a route where completing the distance is still seen as a truly life-changing achievement.

1000km - Via De La Plata (Seville → Santiago)

The Via de la Plata offers a quieter, more reflective path to Santiago de Compostella, defined by long open stretches that convey a true sense of the distance travelled. Far from the busier Caminos, it passes through historic cities across Roman Roads and aqueducts. For those that love a solitary adventure, cultural heritage, and a deeper sense of the journey, this is the Camino for you.

START THE JOURNEY

Start the Camino Trails Virtual Challenge today and get ready for an iconic adventure taking on the UK on foot. You can complete the distance totally at your pace, whether pushing hard for a few months or using a whole season to train for your Ultra Challenge and log your miles.

Walk, jog, or run and watch your activities automatically upload from connected devices. This is the perfect way to stay connected to the Ultra Challenge community throughout the season.