Our Mission

Why Ultreia Exists

The Camino de Santiago is more than a walk—it's a transformative journey that has changed lives for over a thousand years. But as the Camino grows in popularity, we face new challenges: commercialization, environmental impact, and the loss of the authentic pilgrim spirit.

Ultreia.me exists to preserve what makes the Camino special.

Our Values

100% Free, Forever

No paywalls. No premium features. No affiliate links. No ads. Just authentic, community-powered information for pilgrims, by pilgrims. We know and appreciate, that everyone has to make a living. We just don't think we should make this living off the backs of the Camino and its people and services. Affiliate corporations have made it almost impossible to avoid "cutting them in", and Camino Apps are partially to blame. Only if there is an alternative that offers both albergues and pilgrims the same ease of use and access, while not draining a sizeable chunk of the transactions to Camino Apps and Affiliate Brokers, can we hope to break this cycle.

Open and Transparent

All our data are contributed back to OpenStreetMap, ensuring it remains accessible to everyone—even if you don't use Ultreia.

Most Camino Apps benefit from Open Source efforts. Be it by using programming languages and frameworks like Kotlin, Django, Flask, or Flutter, or by perusing open data like the ones from OpenStreetMap.

Data collected by pilgrims and contributed to a Camino App remains closed and jealosly guarded by that app. In the past, Camino Apps have sued and even attempted to remove from the app stores, "competitors" for perceived theft of their data. Data, that more often than not, had their origin in Open Data. We break this cycle, by documenting our Way and contributing it all back to Open Data. These data belong to the Camino, not a company. Be wary of those, who use your contributions to only their benefit.

We do not anticipate ever generating any revenue. But if we should, it will be shared with those, who make the Camino the amazing place it is, and this app possible - from OSM to pilgrim associations.

Ethical & Sustainable

Our Leaf & Shell Index highlights vegan, vegetarian, and sustainable establishments, making it easier to walk the Camino with minimal environmental impact.

Privacy First

No tracking. No analytics. No login required. Walk anonymously. We don't need to know who you are or where you've been—your pilgrimage is yours alone.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive Albergue Database: Every pilgrim hostel on major Camino routes, with honest reviews and real pricing
• Water Source Mapping: Over 600 fountains mapped on the Camino Francés alone, with potability information
• Ethical Directory: The Leaf & Shell Index of vegan, vegetarian, and sustainable establishments
• Community-Powered: Written by pilgrims, for pilgrims, on the Caminos, for the Caminos

How We're Different

Unlike commercial guidebooks and apps, Ultreia is:

• Non-profit: No financial incentive to recommend one albergue over another. We're pilgrims, not businesspeople. We are you, and you are a part of us.
• Community-governed: Major decisions made transparently with community input. We work closely with local and national organizations, albergue associations, the religious groups, to ensure that we keep our promises and can deliver on them.
• Continuously updated: Real-time updates from pilgrims on the trail
• Data-liberated: All improvements contributed back to OpenStreetMap

Join the Movement

Whether you're planning your first Camino or you're a seasoned pilgrim, Ultreia is built for you—and by you. Help us build the Camino encyclopedia the world needs.

Ultreia e suseia! (Onward and upward!)

Ultreia.me is maintained by volunteer pilgrims and powered by the Camino Spirit. We accept no advertising, affiliate commissions, or corporate sponsorship. Our only allegiance is to the authentic pilgrim experience.