Walking a Camino as a woman alone

Is it a good idea to walk a Camino de Santiago as a women alone? It’s actually silly that this question even comes up.

Why should a woman not walk the Camino de Santiago alone, but a man can?

But let’s get to the point: statistically, women are more likely to be victims of sexual assault than men, so the real question is: am I safe on the Camino as a woman?

Since I have only walked the Portuguese and French Camino routes and not the countless other Camino paths, I can only answer for these routes.

And I can't make objective statements anyway; that would require going through crime statistics. I can only share my subjective impression.

And that is: yes, we women are no more at risk there than in my native country, Germany.

I never felt uncomfortable, neither with other pilgrims nor with locals. And it wasn't just me; all the other women I asked felt the same way.

I have walked over 3000 km alone on the Camino de Santiago, even in February when no one else was around. Except for my Camino in February, you are never really alone; there are always other pilgrims nearby. So even if you walk alone, you are not alone; the next pilgrim is not far away.

I don't want to hide the fact that I had one unpleasant experience with a man. He was peeing at the edge of the forest and greeted me and tried to start a conversation without putting away what should have been put away, but he neither followed me nor touched me or did anything else. He was probably just mentally disturbed.

That could have happened to me anywhere else.

The only place that I know of where you actually need to be a bit more cautious is a spot on the Portuguese inland route. There is an old, mentally ill man who sometimes talks to female pilgrims. But he doesn't jump out at you wildly on the street; if you don't follow him into his garage and just keep walking, nothing happens. It’s not a dangerous situation as long as you avoid following strange men into their dwellings.

It's not necessary.

Pepper spray is illegal in Portugal, but you could buy it in a store in Spain.

But it would be completely over the top.

If it makes you feel better, then bring a whistle to alert nearby pilgrims.

But as I said before: the Portuguese and French Camino routes are safe. It’s nearly never no more dangerous than your hometown (I dont know your hometown, so I cant tell for sure) – in fact, you have a supportive community around you that you usually don’t have.

Don’t worry, make your dream come true, and pack your backpack!

To everyone who doesn’t feel up to it alone, whether male or female, I can only say: go anyway and be amazed at how quickly your fears disappear and how much you grow beyond yourself!

When you look at it closely, a Camino is just walking. Anyone can do that.

What really holds you back are often fears and uncertainties, not actual obstacles.

And if these are standing in your way so much that you don’t go, then just book my travel planning service. You’ll have someone who has already walked the route digitally by your side and a plan that ensures everything isn’t so unfamiliar anymore.