The Way of St. James is probably the most famous pilgrimage route in the world. Every year, thousands of people from all over the world, both from Spain and beyond, walk the various routes leading to the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The majority choose to reach the capital of Galicia via the French Way of St. James, while others choose the Portuguese or English Ways. Numerous alternative routes exist, unknown to many pilgrims but equally impressive, offering impressive experiences.
This is the Rusadir Way, or the African Way of St. James.
One of these lesser-known routes is the Rusadir Way, which has only existed for a month and connects two distant points in Spain: It stretches the 972 kilometers that separate Melilla from Santiago de Compostela. According to the Pilgrims’ Office, 71 people have already walked this new route, also known as the African Way of St. James, in the first four months of 2025.
The Rusadir Way, also known as the African Way of St. James, begins at the Gate and Chapel of Santiago in Melilla la Vieja, which represents the only example of Gothic architecture on the entire African continent. The typical milestone has already been placed next to the starting point, pointing the way for pilgrims and preparing them for the 972.09 kilometers that separate them from this impressive cathedral in Galicia.
After crossing to the Iberian Peninsula, this new route crosses almost the entire Spanish territory to Santiago de Compostela. The Rusadir Way opens the door for many more pilgrims who wish to begin their journey in the autonomous city, which until now has often been considered one of the least popular starting points for those wishing to travel to northwestern Spain.
This new route represents a great alternative for all those who dare to embark on this exciting journey from North Africa. The establishment of the African Way of St. James expands the range of routes available to hikers to reach one of the most important places in the entire Christian world, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.
