Cape’s own Camino

DOCTORS the world over say walking is one of the best exercises ever.

Imagine how fit you would be if you walked between 12 and 25km a day, for a week or even for 32 days straight? And what would the health benefits be if this walk happened to take place in one of the most beautiful places on earth?

The Cape Camino in the Western Cape offers a spiritual pilgrimage for those who want to escape the urban jungle and feed their souls. Caminos, the Spanish word for paths, were created to offer weary city dwellers the chance to commune with nature and their spirits. A recharge of sorts.

The Cape Camino will take you on a journey from Wellington, through the winelands, across the Berg River, over the Piketberg Mountains, through Dwarskersbos (yes, it’s a real place) and finally to the majestic Cape Peninsula.

It’s a 22-day journey which organisers promise will leave you in pain but also in bliss.

The Cape Camino was first initiated in 2015, and in 2019 organisers added the 32-day pilgrimage.

Japan’s Shikoku Pilgrimage is one of the longest and most famous walking trails in the world at more than 1400km, and can take between 30 to 60 days to complete. The Camino de Santiago in Spain has different routes, from a short 120km walk to the long and challenging 800km and even 1 000km routes.

Initiator of the Cape Camino, Gabrielle Andrew, said: “The Camino is an opportunity for you to reflect. You don’t have to be super fit to do this. You do it in your own time.”

The Cape Camino offers 22 stops and an opportunity for pilgrims to meet different communities along the way.

“The Cape Camino is actually owned by the local communities along the route,” said Andrew.

According to the Cape Camino website, 1 700 people from all over the world have walked the route. There are different packages from R2 000 to R28 000 depending on the number of days and your preferred standard: budget, luxury and standard, weekend Camino, and the full 25 days.

Andrew said the most popular pilgrimage seemed to be the seven day one. For more information visit: https://www.capecamino.co.za/onlinestore-levzz