Camino Waymarks
Sidewalk Waymark outside of Pamplona
Waymarks of the Camino
The Camino de Santiago (French Route) is, for the most part, very well waymarked. Waymarks are directional signs, usually arrows, indicating which way pilgrims should walk. Each region of Spain that we walked through (Navarra, La Rioja, Castialla y Leon, and Galicia) has their own brand of waymark, but they would always incorporate an arrow or a shell, usually in yellow and blue colors.
Our first waymark, leaving Roncesvalles
Yellow arrow in the middle of blue graffiti
These road arrows direct pilgrims on foot to go one way, while pilgrims on bike should go another.
Old and New. Two waymarks side by side.
In areas where waymarks aren’t evident, we used the maps provided in the Brierley guide, the sun to direct us, or would would simply ask anyone walking by. Most people were extremely helpful and would stop to direct us before we even had the chance to ask.
Sometimes pilgrims take matters into their own hands and create arrows when it is unclear which way to go.
My favorite waymarks were the ones that gave opposing directions, or had multiple arrows pointing multiple ways. Here are some examples:
Which way should we go?
Opposing arrows
Arrows were often on the back of street signs. This one has multiple arrows pointing in two different directions.
This next one is my favorite one found on the Camino. Three arrows pointing in three different directions:
Three different arrows in three different directions. Which way should a pilgrim go?
