Data Sources & Verification
Transparency about where our data comes from and how we keep it accurate. Pilgrimage conditions change — this page explains our process and what you should verify before you walk.
How We Collect Data
Official Pilgrimage Associations
Route geometry, stage definitions, and waypoint sequences are derived from official association publications: the Pilgrim Reception Office (Oficina del Peregrino) in Santiago for Camino routes; the Kumano Hongu Taisha and Wakayama tourism bureau for Kumano Kodo; and the Shikoku Pilgrimage Executive Committee for the 88-temple circuit.
Gronze.com — Camino Lodging
Albergue names, prices, bed counts, and municipal status for all 12 Camino de Santiago routes are sourced from Gronze.com, the most comprehensive Spanish-language pilgrim infrastructure database. Prices reflect published rates at the time of our last quarterly review.
Kumano Travel — Kumano Kodo Lodging
Lodging data for the Nakahechi, Kohechi, Ohechi, and Iseji routes is sourced from kumano-travel.com, the official Kumano Kodo reservation and information platform operated by the Nachikatsura town cooperative.
88Shikokuhenro.jp — Temple Information
Temple details, visiting hours, stamp (nōkyō) practices, and lodging (shukubō) information for the Shikoku 88-temple Henro are sourced from 88shikokuhenro.jp, cross-referenced against the official Shikoku Pilgrimage Executive Committee materials.
Manual Verification
Each data point goes through manual review before publication. Our team cross-checks prices, opening status, and GPS coordinates using satellite imagery, pilgrim forum reports, and direct inspection of association materials. Points of interest descriptions were drafted with AI assistance and verified against official sources where possible.
Update Frequency
| Data Category | Review Cycle |
|---|---|
Lodging prices Actual rates may vary — always confirm directly with the albergue or guesthouse before your trip. | Quarterly review |
Route waypoints & distances Updated when associations publish revised stage maps or significant trail reroutes are confirmed. | Annual review |
Temple information (Shikoku) Temple closures, reconstruction, and visiting-hour changes are applied as they are confirmed. | When major changes are reported |
Points of interest New fountains, pharmacies, and facilities are added through app updates at no extra cost. | Rolling updates |
What to Verify Before Your Trip
Sacred Trails data is a solid starting point, but pilgrimage infrastructure changes constantly. Before you leave home, we recommend independently confirming:
- !Lodging prices and availability — especially in peak season (May–September on Camino routes, April–May for Shikoku)
- !Opening hours of albergues, restaurants, and pharmacies — rural villages often have limited schedules
- !Albergue reservation requirements — some municipal albergues are walk-in only; others now require advance booking
- !Trail closures after storms — mountain sections of Primitivo, Norte, and Kohechi can be affected by seasonal damage
- !Cash requirements — many small villages and temple lodgings in Japan do not accept cards
- !Pilgrim credential requirements — some newer routes may require specific stamp office registration
How to Report Errors
Found an outdated price, a closed albergue, or a GPS coordinate that's off? Please let us know. We review all corrections and, when confirmed, roll them into the next app update at no extra cost to existing users.
Or leave a note via the App Store listing — we read all reviews.
AI Assistance Disclosure
Route descriptions, waypoint historical narratives, and points of interest details were drafted with AI assistance and subsequently reviewed against official association publications, guidebooks, and pilgrim community resources. Structured data (distances, prices, GPS coordinates, bed counts) comes from the primary sources listed above and is not AI-generated. We believe in being transparent about this: AI helped us write at scale, but humans verified what matters most before the data went into your pocket.