For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
We flew in to Pamplona because we didn't know any better, then got a taxi to St.JPP. It took us three days to walk back! I think Bilbao is only a bus ride away. Have a look at other Pilgrim's suggestions as well as [link to commercial post removed by moderator] - buen camino!
My training was red wine and tapas!! Don't over do it - either walking, drinking or eating. Have a look at [commercial link removed by moderator] for info about what to take and weight and remember to enjoy it!!
My only training was red wine and tapas! However I started slowly from St.Jean Pied a Port, walked over the Pyrenees in panic (snow!!) and settled down to 20 kms daily, on average. It's not at all difficult! Just put one foot in front of the other. [commercial link removed by moderator] will...
Hi Wayne - yes, you are likely to find some alberge/hostals closed during the winter. If you plan your daily walk you could actually phone ahead and check there is accommodation. Pilgrim Office in SJPP has a list which will help you. They also will give you a weather forecast, and if they say...
Hi Mark - I started in SJPP too - totally unfit for the walk over the Pyrenees with snow lined road and paths. Managed 14km the first day, to Valcarlos - that was far enough. Some years the weather is quite mild. Back in northern NSW now, but happy to answer any questions.
I'm sure you'll have a great time. Quite a number of women were walking alone when I was on the Camino. You meet up and socialise with others as you walk, and also at the hostals - happy to help with any questions.
Walking on your own is not a problem, and I see there are others on this thread who want to meet up already. Socialising is great and there's as much/little as you want to be involved in. Afternoons and evenings at hostals are a very good time to catch up too.
Your itinerary is looking good. I took 6 weeks from SJPP to Santiago, with stops in the biggest towns for an extra night of comfort, to get washing done, do some sight seeing and to rest. I was totally unfit at the start (red wine and tapas training regime) but comfortably walked 20 km/day...
We started from SJPP in April, and walked over the SNOWY Pyrenees to Roncesvalles. Totally unfit, and it was exhausting, but had to keep walking or sleep in the snow - not a healthy option. Staggered to Valcarlos, 14km away, an enormous effort on day one! Check your weather as much as you can...
We started in St.Jean PP and came across a lot of solo walkers. It's really up to the person as to how much socialising they want, and in our case, how slowly they wanted to walk. You will meet plenty of people!
This site is run by Ivar at in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon