A Letter from Our Program Director, John Colver

Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain

May 2025

Like many others, the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 brought me a chance for reflection. Health, relationships, happiness, and purpose suddenly took on greater meaning. After two decades of global expedition guiding came to an abrupt stop—and a broken leg forced me to slow down—I found myself asking deeper questions about how I wanted to live and work going forward.

Around that time, I kept hearing about the Camino de Santiago. Clients began asking for training programs for their pilgrimages. Drawing from my background training mountain climbers and my books Fit by Nature and Fit to Climb, I created a Camino training plan with some friends. Interest soared.

What struck me was this: many people weren’t physically prepared and struggled to finish. Yet, nearly everyone described the Camino as profoundly joyful and transformative. Unlike high-altitude climbs, which often focus on achievement, the Camino seemed to invite meaning, reflection, and connection—all at the gentle pace of 4 kilometers per hour.

From my life and professional experiences; in athletics, the military, and mountain guiding, I realized I wanted to do more that offer physical preparation…. I wanted to walk with teams as well. I wanted to be part of something where our collecting learning and purpose, not just our performance, led me to new learning and happiness. Walking is one of my favourite things and it grounds me in ways I like.

And so, The Camino Less Travelled was born—a guided experience blending movement, reflection, connection, and growth. It attracts thoughtful professionals and leaders who seek clarity, balance, and renewal. Together, we build a “container” of mutual support and shared wisdom. We walk, we talk, we laugh, we help each other through hills—inner and outer.

Over decades, I’ve seen that interesting people choose hard things. They’re willing to be challenged and changed. Our Camino groups are no different—resilient, generous, open-hearted, and kind.

I don’t know if ours is the “best” program, but I do know this: what people bring—and what they leave with—is extraordinary. What begins as a walk often becomes something much more.

Walking together, training together, supporting each other—it’s on of the best wellness plans I know. And the real Camino, as I’ve come to believe, it’s less about the one under my feet. It’s more about the one within.

We invite you to learn more about what we do and we’d like to know about your goals. Come walk with us.

Buen Camino,
John Colver.