The Tradition of the Little Stones in Camino de Santiago

If you have ever done the Camino de Santiago , you’ve probably noticed the small pebbles on the Camino, piled on top of mile markers, crosses or other symbolic points along the route. At first glance, they seem like curious details, almost invisible amidst the landscape. But for many pilgrims, each stone has a profound meaning.

This gesture of leaving a stone may seem simple, but it raises an interesting question: is it an ancient tradition or a more recent phenomenon? The answer, like so many on the Camino, lies between the past and the present, between ancient rituals and the new meanings that each pilgrim constructs.

We would like to thank all the members of our Community who shared their vision and helped to compose the content of this article. It is in the encounter of experiences that the Path is enriched.

What you will find in this article:

1. A Practice with Ancestral Roots

Placing stones in sacred or symbolic places is an ancient practice, present in various cultures and religions:

In Judaism, placing a stone on a grave is a sign of respect and lasting memory; the stone remains as a symbol of a memory that cannot be erased.
On mountain trails, travelers left stones to mark their passage, guiding those who came after.
In Celtic and Roman traditions, cairns (stone mounds) were used to mark places of spiritual transition or as offerings to protective deities.

Node Camino de Santiago , these gestures found fertile ground and were reinterpreted over the centuries, but not all the places where stones accumulate today have ancestral roots.

In fact, the practice of leaving stones at the top of mile markers seems to have only gained popularity in recent years, following the growth in the number of pilgrims and the sharing of symbols on social media. Although it is full of intention, it is a more contemporary manifestation, often inspired by other places along the Camino with much older history.

2. Places of True Historical Significance

There are, indeed, places where the gesture of leaving a stone has deeper roots. On the French Way , the most emblematic place is the Iron Cross (Cruz de Hierro) , where, since ancient times, pilgrims have left stones brought from home, as a symbolic gesture of surrender, liberation or gratitude. The origin of this custom possibly dates back to pre-Roman rituals or offerings made to Mercury, the patron god of travelers.

On the Portuguese Way , the place called O Milladoiro stands out, about 7 km from Santiago de Compostela. The name derives from “ humilladoiro ” and refers to the point where, for the first time, pilgrims saw the sacred city. Upon arriving there, many would kneel or leave a stone as a sign of respect, as if to say: “I have made it.”

In these places, unlike generic landmarks, the gesture is ancient, loaded with history and spirituality.

3. The Pebbles on the Path – Between Burden and Prayer

Even though many of today's gestures do not originate from a formal ritual, the act of leaving a stone continues to be experienced with a deep symbolic meaning. Many pilgrims take a stone with them from the beginning of their journey, or even from home, as a way of representing something they want to leave behind.

The stone can symbolize:

A pain
A fault
A fear
A heavy thought
A silent prayer
A dear person
An intention
A thank you
A request
A new beginning

For some, it is an intimate gesture of liberation. The stone becomes a physical burden that represents an emotional weight. Carrying it for miles is almost a process of internal digestion, until the right moment arrives to release it. When they finally put it down, they do so consciously: they leave behind what no longer serves them in order to move on with a lighter body, mind and heart.

For others, it is a prayer without words. A way of walking for someone: for someone who has already left, for someone who is suffering, for someone who cannot walk. Leaving the stone is, in this case, an act of faith, a discreet gesture, but full of intention.

“I walk for myself, but also for you.”

There are those who choose the stone carefully. Those who keep it for days. Those who carry it in their pocket, backpack, or even in their hand, as if it were an extension of what they carry inside.

That's why it's not uncommon to see pilgrims stopping in silence, taking deep breaths and closing their eyes before leaving the stone.
It's more than a gesture. It's a moment. A transition. A commitment to yourself.

And, amidst the simplicity of the stone, there is an immense symbolic force: that of accepting the past, embracing the present and making room for what comes next.

4. A Silent Community

Regardless of the historical origin of each gesture, there is something powerful in seeing hundreds of small stones piled up along the path. Each one represents a story. Each one is a silent testimony that someone passed by, with faith, with hope, with purpose.

Seeing these stones makes us feel part of something bigger: an invisible community, made up of steps, stories, intentions left along the Way.

Still, it is important that this symbolic gesture be done consciously. In places where the gesture does not have traditional roots, excessive accumulation can have an environmental impact or even distort the experience of the place. As with everything on the Camino, the balance between personal intention and respect for the whole is essential.

5. And You? Are You Going to Take Your Stone?

Each pilgrim makes the Camino in their own way. The stone you carry may be light or heavy, visible or invisible. But the most important thing is to know why you are carrying it, and what you will leave behind when you put it down.

Perhaps the greatest tradition of the Camino is not in the gestures we repeat, but in the way we we fill with meaning.