A Jacobean or Holy Year occurs when Saint James Day, the 25th July falls on a Sunday.
In 2027, July 25th will fall on a Sunday. This is a moment of great calendrical significance for those who know the Camino and its history. Because it is based on a rare event there are just 14 such days in any given century where Saint James Day falls on a Sunday.
A number of things happen to mark the year as being special on the Camino. The Holy Door (Porta Santa) is opened only on such years. On the afternoon of the 31st of December in 2026, the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela will strike the slabs that cover the famous door with a silver hammer 3 times to signify the Ano Xacobeo (Holy Year). The door is flanked by the figures of 24 magnificent ‘doormen’, which are sculptures by Mestre Mateo dating back to the 12th-century.
Pilgrims walking the Camino that year and who pass through the Holy Door can receive forgiveness for sins if they also confess, attend mass, receive communion and pray. Officially this is known as a Plenary Indulgence, meaning the full forgiveness of sins, a grace the Catholic Church has granted to Camino pilgrims since 1126.
Because of the rarity of this event, the number of people walking the Camino is expected to rise significantly. This is likely to make the experience all the more lively and vibrant. This walk is especially popular for Spanish pilgrims, walking the Camino in a “Holy Year” is something of great cultrural and religious significance for them. Extra-special Pilgrim Masses and numerous cultural events like concerts, exhibitions and festivals along the routes are expected to be held in celebration.
We have a growing list of Camino trails which you can explore so you can pass through the Holy Door (Porta Santa) and have that treasured pilgrim experience to end your hike to Santiago. We offer the world’s most popular pilgrim trail the Camino Frances, the original and first pilgrim trail – the Camino Primitivo, the second most popular pilgrim trail to Santiago in the Camino Portuguese with Traditional and Coastal Routes variants and the unique Camino which starts at Santiago de Compostela and ends at the coast in the Camino Finisterre. For any pilgrim interested in the Jacobean Year 2027 we have you covered. With our long established reputation for putting the hiker first make Hillwalk Tours your choice for your Camino Holy Year hike in 2027!
Tips for Walking During a “Holy Year”:
Embrace the Crowds: Enjoy the unique atmosphere and community spirit, it is going to be rather special.
Book Early: Accommodation sells out quickly, so book months in advance, it’s never too early.
Consider Off-Peak Times: Walking in winter offers fewer crowds. With this rare event the typical walking months are likely to be extra busy.
You can choose from these historic Camino routes to experience this unique year long celebration:
Each route offers not only a rich cultural and spiritual journey, but also a front-row seat to a remarkable year of celebration. We also include here a new hiking trail, the Costa Verde & Minho River Trails which share some of the trails of the Camino Portuguese Traditional and Coastal Routes.
Camino Frances
The most popular pilgrim trail of the Camino de Santiago trails network, with three levels of difficulty to choose from: Easy, Moderate, and Challenging. Choose from 4 to 13 days of walking to suit your pace and preferences.
Camino Primitivo
Known as the Original Way, this route is the oldest, dating back over 1,200 years. Highlights include walking the Roman walls at Lugo before joining the Camino Frances at Melide. Offered as a 7-day moderate tour.
Camino Finisterre
Follow in the footsteps of Celts, mystics, and pilgrims as you walk back in time to witness the “end of the world.” Watch the sun sink into the Atlantic, a tradition spanning 5,000 years. Available as a 7-day moderate tour.
Camino Portuguese (Traditional Route)
Begin in historic Valenca with its star shaped fort, Tui with its cathedral and experience legendary pilgrim friendly towns of vibrant towns like O Porriño, Redondela, Pontevedra and Padrón before you reach Santiago de Compostela.
Camino Portuguese (Coastal Route)
Follow the breathtaking Atlantic coastline in Portugal before crossing into Spain through peaceful inland villages and forested trails that make walking this Camino the adventure of a lifetime on your way to Santiago.
Costa Verde & Minho River Trails
Sharing elements of the Camino Portuguese Traditional and Coastal Routes this new trail follows the celebrated Costa Verde. Explore delightful Portuguese and Galician paths and trails as you follow the Minho river, which separates Portugal and Spain.
Why Walk the Camino in 2027 with Hillwalk Tours?
- Unmatched trail expertise: Hillwalk Tours personally walk each trail (and re-walk them!) to create our own detailed route notes, offering more itineraries, route options and alternatives than any other walking tour company.
- Your pace, your dates: No fixed departure dates mean you enjoy the freedom to begin your Camino whenever it suits you which is ideal for planning around the busy Holy Year of 2027.
- Tailored to your fitness level: Three levels of hiking tour-Gentle, Moderate or Challenging are designed to suit all types of hikers, whether you’re a seasoned walker or just starting out.
- Walk at your own pace: As a self-guided tour, you are free to walk without adhering to a strict schedule, giving you the freedom to fully absorb the spiritual and scenic experience of the Camino.
- Navigate with confidence: In partnership with HiiKER, a top-tier GPS navigation smartphone app, you’ll have detailed daily GPS tracks, comprehensive handwritten route notes and trail waymarkers to keep you on the right path throughout.
- Seamless luggage transfers: Your bags are moved efficiently from accommodation to accommodation, so they are always waiting for you at your destination at the end of each day’s walk.
- Flexible and personalised itineraries: Rest days, extra nights and custom adjustments are accommodated with ease, so your Camino fits your needs perfectly.
- Book A Hillwalk Tour With Confidence: we give you the flexibility to adjust your holiday, so you can book with confidence and look forward to your trip without worry, every customer can make one date change for free, for any reason, up to 30 days before departure.
- A trusted specialist with a proven track record: Hillwalk Tours have been organising self-guided hiking holidays since 2008, with over 25,000 tours completed and a 5-star rating across Google and Tripadvisor.
- A wide choice of Camino routes: Walk the iconic Camino Frances, the ancient Camino Primitivo, or extend your pilgrimage on the Camino Finisterre to the edge of the Atlantic, all expertly organised by Hillwalk Tours. We have also launched two variants of the Camino Portuguese which crosses from Portugal into Spain. Check out our Camino Portuguese (Traditional Route) and our Camino Portuguese (Coastal Route).
- Everything taken care of: Hillwalk Tours handles lodgings, luggage transfers, directions and more, so the only thing you need to think about is enjoying the journey.
- A purpose-led company: Our core mission is simple: “Creating experiences that make people happy”. This is a philosophy reflected in every detail of how your tour is planned and delivered.
Early booking is strongly recommended: Holy Year 2027 (when St James’s feast day falls on a Sunday) will see record numbers on the Camino. Securing your dates early with Hillwalk Tours ensures the best choice of accommodation and itinerary options and may help you keep larger groups together. We are looking forward to seeing you out on the Camino!
