I’m very happy to say that around August of this year I will be walking the 500 miles that make up EL Camino de Santiago, on the Camino Francais route again. This is the third time, I walked it initially back in 2002 and again last year. So, why do it again?
Well, obviously because I enjoy it but the main reason is to collect GPS and photographic data for an American company who, in my opinion are knocking out the best electronic guides, or apps, for your Smartphone, based on both IOS and Android operating systems.
I’ve teamed up with High Sierra Attitude and Guthook Hikes who will be doing the tech stuff after the information I have gathered is sent to them. This will keep them busy over the winter period and we hope to have the app up and running in time for the 2015 Camino hiking season.
After some humble beginnings a couple of months ago, they sent me their Trailblazer app on the South Downs Way. Because of work commitments I was too busy even to try it out or write a report but after finding some time to walk my favourite route again, and taking the app with me for testing, it impressed me so much that I immediately changed my mind.
The general preference for hikers at present is either a traditional guidebook and / or a map. These work well but are out of date quickly, add weight, don’t fare well being stuffed in a pack and are around twice the price of an app. This app will weigh nothing, be cheaper, benefit from updates and offer additional features that only an electronic version can.
This new guide to the Camino, as far as I am aware, will be the first smartphone app for this classic, and popular Spanish section of the trail. The Camino Francais is by far the most popular route through Spain, with thousands of hikers every year. It begins shortly before the French border with Spain at St. Jean pied de Port in France, nips over the tail end of the Pyrenees and continues through Spain to it’s hallowed destination at Santiago de Compostella. We also have plans to produce an app for the Le Puy to St. Jean pied de Port section (500 miles in length) which runs through France and several other routes have been discussed.
This is not just a map. It will be the most complete app guide to walking El Camino ever. The GPS based system will offer a reliable signal without relying on the inconsistency or expense of a cellular signal so you need not worry about data charges. A hikers position will be displayed not just on a map but also an elevation graph so the upcoming terrain can be viewed and taken into account.
All notable landmarks will be clearly shown such as towns and cities, track junctions, side trails, points of interest, lodgings (hotels, hostels, refuges), camp sites, churches and other historical sites, places to drink and eat, tourist offices and many more. Many of these will be backed up with photos for reference and individual information about each amenity such as addresses and contact information, accessed simply by tapping icons and making the booking of lodgings easy with phone numbers for easy dialling.
Hiking is becoming increasingly popular and moving forward quickly. Electronic equipment is also progressing and I believe electronic route mapping, along with all the advantages that it offers will soon be the norm. The traditional guidebook will still be popular but I feel trail apps will surge in the next few years simply because of the advantages they offer.
It’s a very exciting time for me, High Sierra Attitude and Guthhook Hikes. We are all fully confident that this Camino App will be the definitive guide to hiking the Camino. I’ll keep you posted on future developments and how we are progressing but when we have completed this app, 2015 may well prove to be an excellent year to hike the Camino!
