Social, Health, and Religious Contexts of Caminophilia: Fascination and Attachment to the Camino de Santiago.

This article explores caminophilia-the enduring fascination and emotional attachment of pilgrims to walking the Camino de Santiago, the historic pilgrimage route leading to the shrine of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela. Drawing on survey data collected between 2022 and 2025 from 745 pilgrims representing 49 countries, over 75% of respondents self-identified as "caminophiles," highlighting a strong, persistent engagement with the Camino experience beyond mere repetition of journeys. The findings show that Camino pilgrimage provides physical and emotional restoration, fosters self-reflection and personal transformation, and strengthens social bonds among participants. Notably, caminophilia manifests not only in repeated walks but also in the intensity of engagement, the appreciation of the journey itself, and the pursuit of meaningful encounters with self, others, and the surrounding landscape. These results underscore caminophilia as a key factor in contemporary pilgrimage, offering new insights into the psychology of pilgrimage, religious tourism, and the role of long-distance walking as a transformative experience.