Jane Witherspoon is a Canadian expat, adventurous spirit, and dedicated yoga instructor who now calls Dénia, Spain, home. A passionate Rambler at heart, she embraces the richness of life in her Mediterranean lifestyle.
Long before the Camino became so popular, the desire to follow the route that pilgrims had walked for centuries had already taken root in my heart. It rested there like a promised adventure, waiting for the right time in life when I would have the money, the time, and the space to fully embrace it.
Walking the Pilgrims’ Route called to me deeply, offering a chance for personal reflection and connection that I both lacked and longed for. Following the path shaped by countless footsteps—and by the stories of those who came before—felt profoundly meaningful. Although the physical challenge was daunting and would stretch my limits, it was the inner journey that called to me most: one that offered reflection, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
As my dream patiently waited, I researched, planned, and imagined the walk I would one day take. Life unfolded in its own way—raising my family, navigating the end of a marriage, and relocating to several countries—until finally, my life aligned with the dream… or so I thought.
A global pandemic put the journey on hold for several more years. I had always imagined the Camino as a solitary experience, yet during that time, a dear friend, Jill Thomas, and I reconnected and planned to walk it together. Despite our best efforts, life had other plans.
Enter Sole Sister Ramblers—a small passion project founded by five women, myself included, rooted in the shared experiences of women in midlife and beyond. We envisioned a global community offering a safe, welcoming space where women could feel less alone and speak openly about the conversations society often leaves unspoken.
What began as a simple passion project grew into a thriving community, connecting and empowering women around the world. And it was through this creation that my Camino finally found me—not in the way I had imagined for years, but exactly as I needed at this point in my life.
I was given the incredible opportunity to host the very first Sole Sister Ramblers guided Portugal Camino. I wouldn’t be walking alone, and I would be welcoming 13 other women on this journey… what an adventure it turned out to be!
Our pilgrims arrived in Porto from all around the globe, carrying excitement, curiosity, and for some, the anxiety of a first-time solo adventure.
The day before our Camino began, several of us explored Porto on a guided tour, easing into the journey together. Wandering through the city’s winding streets and along the river, we shared stories, laughter, and first impressions, slowly becoming more than strangers with a shared itinerary. The tour gave us time to connect, to notice the beauty and history around us, and to settle into the rhythm of traveling as a group.
Our adventure truly began the following morning with a two-hour bus ride from Porto to the Santa María de Oia Monastery. The bus buzzed with conversation, laughter, and even a bit of singing—a preview of what lay ahead. It was here that we set foot on our Camino, received our first stamp in our Pilgrims’ Credentials, and began walking.
The day was sunny and warm as we followed the coastline toward Baiona, walking alongside sweeping, scenic bays. Just the beginning of what would become a deeply treasured adventure, the hours were filled with conversation, laughter, and a growing sense of connection.
Our second day of walking proved to be the most challenging for the group—a long 25-kilometre day that asked more of us physically and mentally. These are the days that test you, inviting reflection on why you chose this journey in the first place. They remind you to slow down, to notice the beauty of the coastal route, and to remember that this is not a race. Holding onto that mindset became especially important during the final two hours, as we walked through the industrial outskirts of Vigo and climbed the city’s hills toward our hotel. It was a shared experience that naturally became the main topic of conversation over dinner that night.
The following rest day in Vigo was embraced in a variety of ways. The one shared mission among us all was finding a laundromat before the next leg of our journey. Some chose to rest and reflect, others took advantage of the spas and restaurants, while some—still feeling the need to walk—explored the city in search of the never-ending stamps to fill our Credentials.
The last day of our coastal journey ended in the charming town of Redondela, and our only stay in an albergue (hostel accommodation). It was beautiful and had the feel of a boutique hotel while also creating the youthful joy that only hostels can provide. The day ended at a local restaurant, indulging in local food, a few drinks, and celebrating our accomplishments so far. The following day, we would head inland and join the original Portuguese Camino trail.
As much as I loved journeying along the coastline, my heart overflowed with joy as we prepared to head inland, toward the forests and landscapes walked by so many pilgrims before us—the original Portuguese Camino trail. This was where I truly connected with my Camino—where an inner quiet emerged, and with it the sense of joy and clarity I had been seeking through this pilgrimage.
One of the most surprising and intimate gifts of the Camino, whether walking alone or in a group, is the openness people bring with them. Along the Way, stories are shared with a vulnerability that feels rare in everyday life. Our group bonded in a way that simply isn’t possible at home.
Each day, that bond strengthened as everyone found their own stride, naturally flowing between small groups that shifted with the energy of the day. Some days I chose to walk in silence on my own, as others did; other days were spent walking alongside members of the group.
This is the Camino you hear about: winding forest paths, open fields, vineyards stretching alongside the trail, and small, ancient towns that seem frozen in time. There was space to breathe, to reflect, to connect with others, and to release the constant noise and distractions of modern life—aside from my phone, of course, faithfully documenting the journey.
As we moved ever closer to our endpoint, the meeting place of all Caminos, Santiago de Compostela, the flow of pilgrims increased with every kilometre, and with it, our excitement.
Small places to rest and eat appeared seemingly out of nowhere, tucked away far from any other sign of civilisation. Galicians set up simple Credential stamp stations along forest paths, asking nothing in return except the quiet joy of offering this trail magic. Day after day, they returned—buying supplies, showing up, and devoting their time to supporting pilgrims on their journey.
Buen Camino was now heard often, exchanged between walkers as paths crossed—some pausing to talk, to share stories of the trail or of life, before continuing on their way.
No Camino would be complete without rising early and preparing to walk in less-than-perfect weather. We had been blessed with clear, sunny days until just two days before arriving in Santiago. In the weeks leading up to the journey, our Sole Sisters WhatsApp chat group buzzed with questions—what to bring, how many shoes, which rain gear, and endless what-ifs.
There was so much collective angst, yet not one Sole Sister failed to meet the challenge or find moments of joy along the way. I spent most of that rainy day squelching forward in soaked shoes and socks, and strangely, it became one of my most treasured days on the trail.
On the final day, as we walked our last kilometres, the Camino markers counting down the distance brought a mix of excitement and sadness. The journey was almost complete, yet with every step toward the Cathedral, a deep sense of accomplishment continued to build. Arriving in the square, the energy around you shifts and expands as each new pilgrim arrives, adding their own emotion to the collective experience.
We arrived as one group, yet we left that square as part of something far greater—the tradition of millions of pilgrims stretching back thousands of years, united by the shared experience of the Way.
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