4Are you curious about the Camino? What is it; what secrets does it hold; where does it start and end; what are its origins; what to take; what preparation, training and equipment are needed to succeed? I've walked 6 Caminos and over 6000 km and can help you successfully prepare to walk ancient pilgrims pathways in Spain, Portugal and France. From the dozens of things to know, often learnt the hard way, I have selected the ones that will help you to successfully prepare and greatly increase your chances of reaching Santiago and collecting your Compostela . Time spent in preparation for your Camino is time well spent. It requires preparation on many levels, as it's not only a physical, but also a mental one. For many it will also be a voyage of self-discovery. I have encountered many people, blinded by enthusiasm, who were poorly prepared and likely to fail in just the first few days because they were fooled into thinking it was going to be easy simply just because so many people have done it in the past. The statistics are hard to match up between those starting from St Jean in France and those arriving in Santiago. On the surface it appears that less than 50% complete this long stage.It's not just about boots and backpacks, there is so much more to learn about clothing, hydration and the impact of repetitive walking on our bodies, let alone avoiding blisters. Having the wrong size footwear that doesn't allow room for your feet to swell is a common mistake and halts many in a few weeks or days. Another common mistake is having the wrong types of clothing.. There is also a packing list with indicative weights of the essentials!For many the Chapter on "Walking as a System" will explain a lot of what can go wrong; Chapters on free apps, maps and sources of practical information will be invaluableThe impact of COVID-19 on the Camino and the availability of accommodation is also covered together with details on where to find up-to-date information and travel advice.