Risk perception and spatial mobility on the Camino de Santiago: travel patterns analysis and the choice of Jacobean routes

Perceptions of risk and safety significantly influence the spatial mobility strategies of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, revealing distinct travel patterns linked to gender, age, and perceived vulnerability. Women and younger pilgrims tend to prefer routes with higher social presence and walking accompanied, while men and older participants favor solitary or highly natural paths. This study, based on a survey of 1,080 pilgrims, uses contingency coefficients and multiple correspondence analysis to demonstrate how subjective safety perceptions shape the use of large-scale natural environments. The findings extend fear-of-crime research beyond urban settings, offering insights for the design, management, and safety of recreational and pilgrimage pathways.

Durán, M., San-Juan, C., Real, E., & Lopez, L. (2026). Risk perception and spatial mobility on the Camino de Santiago: travel patterns analysis and the choice of Jacobean routes. Frontiers in Psychology, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1899526