Pilgrims return to Spain’s 'El Camino' paths after pandemic

Martim Thomas, 41, from Switzerland, makes his way along "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way in Puente La Reina, around 25kms, 15 miles, northern Spain, April 14, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Pilgrims walk past sculptures indicating the direction of St. James' Way in El Perdon mountain, near to Pamplona northern northern Spain, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Martim Thomas, 41, from Switzerland, walks along a path during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way near Pamplona, northern Spain, Thursday, April 14, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Souvenirs of St. James Way are displayed for sale at a shop in Roncesvalles, where the French route of Spain Saint James Way starts, Northern Spain, Saturday, April 10, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Pilgrims of St. James Way walk at the area of El Perdon mountain, near to Pamplona northern northern Spain, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Crosses placed by pilgrims of St. James Way are seen in Roncesvalles, northern Spain, Friday, April 9, 2021 photo. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Pilgrims of St. James Way walk at the area of Ibaneta mountain, near to Roncesvalles, northern Spain, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Alejandro Perez, 31, shows his Saint James pilgrim's credential after receiving a stamp at the end of a stage in Najera, near Pamplona, northern Spain, Thursday, April 15, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Sculptures representing St. James Way pilgrims are seen on top of a hill on the way to Santiago de Compostela around 15 kms, 9,3 miles, from Pamplona, northern Spain, Thursday, April 14, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

A pilgrim makes the St. James' Way walking at El Perdon mountain, near to Pamplona northern northern Spain, Tuesday, June 1, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

A nun places a stamp at the Saint James Way pilgrim's credential of Alejandro Perez, 31, in Najera, northern Spain, Thursday, April1 5, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Sheep graze near St. James Way in Roncesvalles, northern Spain, April 10, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Martim Thomas, 41, from Switzerland, walks along a path during a stage of "Camino de Santiago" or St. James Way near Pamplona, northern Spain, Thursday, April 14, 2021. The pilgrims are trickling back to Spain's St. James Way after a year of being kept off the trail due to the pandemic. Many have committed to putting their lives on hold for days or weeks to walk to the medieval cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in hopes of healing wounds caused by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)