Camino for Peace
Rotarians promoting Positive Peace along the Way
Ahead of the 2027 Rotary Convention, join other Rotarians on the Camino Francés, a traditional route of the Camino de Santiago. Walk with an experienced hike leader and raise money for The Rotary Foundation, designated to peace building.
Positive Peace, one stage at a time
Peace is when people are able to resolve conflicts without violence and are willing to work with each other for a just and better life.
Feed the soul
An eleven-day or five-day walk through the countryside of León and Galicia that builds intercultural, cross-generational relationships.
Inspire others
Everyday chances to reinforce peace-affirming attitudes, through social media and with other pilgrims.
Fundraise
Each walker commits to raise at least $1,000 for The Rotary Foundation. With 25 walkers averaging $2,000, we reach our $50,000 goal.
Service
Show service above self by supporting the Camino's infrastructure.
Connection
Develop a religious, spiritual or natural connection within your soul.
Longer tables
Group meals and deep conversations.
Every kilometre raises money for peace
Walkers on the first Camino for Peace.
Average raised per walker for The Rotary Foundation. Everyone commits to at least $1,000.
Our group goal: 25 walkers averaging $2,000 each.
Each block is one walker raising an average of $2,000. One walker confirmed, two interested.
Each block represents the funds raised so far by the Rotary Peregrinos.
Walk eleven days, or the final five
Participants travel from Madrid or Barcelona to their starting town and choose shared albergues or hotels. Your Camino Leader coordinates transport within Spain and accommodation along the way. Everyone pays their own expenses and commits to raising $1,000.
Start in Astorga
Depart Monday, June 14, 2027Eleven days walking, about 260 km (160 miles), over the Montes de León and into Galicia. Arrive together in Santiago de Compostela.
- Albergues
- 400€
- or Hotels
- 800€
- Meals
- 550€
- Transport
- 150€
Start in Sarria
Depart Sunday, June 20, 2027Five days walking, about 115 km (70 miles) through Galicia. Arrive together in Santiago de Compostela.
- Albergues
- 250€
- or Hotels
- 500€
- Meals
- 300€
- Transport
- 150€
Estimated costs per person. Totals combine either albergues or hotels with meals and transport. Flights to Spain are not included.
Two big climbs, then rolling Galicia
From Astorga you climb steadily to Foncebadón, cross the Cruz de Ferro (the highest point on the whole Camino Francés) first thing next morning, then drop hard into Ponferrada. The second climb, to O Cebreiro, marks the entry into Galicia. After Sarria the hills are short and frequent.
Elevations are approximate, in metres.
The stages
Eleven walking stages from Astorga, then on to the Rotary Convention in Barcelona. Each marker shows the kilometres left to Santiago at the end of that day, the way the concrete mojones along the Galician trail count you down.
Practical notes
Your Compostela
- Get a pilgrim credential (credencial) before you start.
- Collect a stamp (sello) at least once a day.
- Inside the last 100 km, from Sarria on, collect two stamps a day. Cafés, churches and albergues all have them.
June weather
Expect warm days in the Bierzo valley and cool, sometimes foggy mornings at Foncebadón and O Cebreiro. Galicia can bring rain in any month, so pack a rain shell.
If a day is too much
Buses, trains or a taxi can bridge a stage, and your Camino Leader can help arrange it. The trail is marked throughout with yellow arrows and scallop shells.
Your Camino Leader
Palm Springs Rotary Sunrise, Palm Springs, California
Your leader is a cybersecurity, data privacy and AI consultant. After hiking part of the Camino de Santiago in 2022, a fellow Rotarian encouraged a return trip to finish it in 2023, raising money for The Rotary Foundation's peacebuilding work.
That walk raised $1,000, and inspired a return with a larger group to make a larger impact.
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Contact Eric
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