St. George man finds trekking the Camino de Santiago trail ‘life changing’

A St. George man hiked 170 miles from Portugal to Spain through charming villages with cobblestone roads and mountains. Dave Bartosiewicz told St. George News that traveling the Camino de Santiago trail transformed his life.

Despite training on roads in Southern Utah, Bartosiewicz said walking on the Camino was very different. It has varied terrains, the majority cobblestone and dirt. Also, there are places where one travels into high mountains. He said walking up those mountains with his backpack was “intense.”

“There were times literally that I was sweating extensively throughout my body,” Bartosiewicz said.

Many people use walking poles on their treks to help reduce body stress. Bartosiewicz said he used one pole for a couple of days. He said poles didn’t make a big difference for him as they did for others.