• Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here.

Search 74,075 Camino Questions

Help finding the best route please.

dazzab

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
June (2020)
Hi There, my name is Darren and I'm from Australia. I'm in my late 40's and very much looking forward to doing my first pilgrimage.
I'm planning for sometime from June 2020 and I was hoping to get some ideas on the best place to start from, as a Solo traveler.
I'm looking at doing around 150klm.
I'll already be in Europe somewhere, as I'm volunteering April / May in Poland and then Hungary. I'd love to see the Bay of Biscay at some point too, but that doesn't need to be part of my Camino.
I've recently picked up The Camino Frances guide, but deciding on a starting point is actually quite hard! I don't want to start somewhere, but then someone say "Oh, you should have started in ....xyz.... as you've missed something great!"
Any suggestions would be welcome!
Preferably somewhere relatively easy to get to via Train or Bus, and somewhere I can then arrange to send my backpack onto Ivar in Santiago to hold for me.
It doesn't necessarily need to be easy, I don't mind a bit of a challenge (I've been on a fitness campaign and lost 40kg over the last 12 months).
thank you in advance!
Buen Camino!
Darren
 
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
I don't want to start somewhere, but then someone say "Oh, you should have started in ....xyz.... as you've missed something great!"
Regardless of which route you choose, or where you start I can guarantee that you WILL miss something great. But you will also experience lots of great things!

The first thing that you have to ask yourself is "do I want to finish in Santiago?"
Really think about it. Lots of people think "nah, I just want to walk for a week, and I don't care where I end up", but the reality is that once you are one the Camino you may get caught up in the excitement of arriving in Santiago with those that you meet along the way. I know that I would not want to have to leave while those that I've been walking many kms with continue on to Santiago.

After you have answered that question the next step is to decide which route you want to take. The "classic" Camino Frances? The Camino Portuguese, which seems to be getting more popular each year? The Camino del Norte? For an idea of how many different ways there are to Santiago check out Gronze.com
 
Regardless of which route you choose, or where you start I can guarantee that you WILL miss something great. But you will also experience lots of great things!

The first thing that you have to ask yourself is "do I want to finish in Santiago?"
Really think about it. Lots of people think "nah, I just want to walk for a week, and I don't care where I end up", but the reality is that once you are one the Camino you may get caught up in the excitement of arriving in Santiago with those that you meet along the way. I know that I would not want to have to leave while those that I've been walking many kms with continue on to Santiago.

After you have answered that question the next step is to decide which route you want to take. The "classic" Camino Frances? The Camino Portuguese, which seems to be getting more popular each year? The Camino del Norte? For an idea of how many different ways there are to Santiago check out Gronze.com
Hi there, thanks for the reply.
Okay, noted, everywhere will be amazing! 😁
Yes, I do intend to finish in Santiago. I guess I'll probably stay there for a few days after as well. I don't have any plans, just travelling around Europe and seeing/doing whatever tickles my fancy!
And I agree, I will no doubt get excited about arriving and want to enjoy the moment with new friends made!
I'll be sure to check out that site. Thank you again, best wishes for the New Year!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Unfortunately 150km doesn't put you in a city large enough to have a train. You could possibly take a bus or taxi. If you could possibly walk around 250km you could start in Astorga a wonderful town. This would allow you to experience both Cruz de Fero and O'Cebrerio (both climbs but well worth it) as well as the castle in Ponferrada and possibly Samos. Other option of approx 200km would be to start in Ponferrada. If you don't have the extra time option 1: I would figure out how to get to O'Cebrerio and walk the Samos route after Triacastela.
Option 2: Start in Sarria (the 100+ starting point) and then walk to Finisterre (another 90ish) after Santiago. You could try using Rome2rio.com or the app to figure out the transportation options.
 
Thank you Susan! Yes, I was finding it difficult to locate towns in Spain that had a train station. As your reply came though, I found that I could get to Ponferrada!
I don't mind doing 200klm, so that looks like a great starting point. I don't actually have a time limit, but my travel visa only allows me to spend 90 days in Shengen area, and there is lots I want to see! that is really the only limitation I have.
thank you again for the information!
 
Ponferrada is a good starting point and has also the advantage that you will meet quite a few pilgrims that are also just starting out.
BC SY
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
You might also consider the Camino Portugues and start in Tui. Walk from Tui to SdC and then on to Finisterre
 
I'll already be in Europe somewhere, as I'm volunteering April / May in Poland and then Hungary.
There are marked routes in Poland, and from Budapest in Hungary. All roads lead in the direction of Santiago - don't feel you must limit yourself to Spain. http://jakobswege-europa.de/wege/

Your distance would just about cover the first major segment of the Le Puy route, for example (Le Puy to Conques).
 
Last edited:
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
@Kitsambler
The Polish people won't like that you name the cities with there German name, is a bit sensitive...
Gdańsk, Poznań & Wrocław is what you will find in Poland.
I know difficult to know 😉
Buen Camino
No insult intended - I simply spelled the names as they were printed on the website cited. Perhaps you should take up your point with that webmaster.
 
@Kitsambler
It was not a reproach, just an informative comment🙂
dazzab would never find those cities in Poland 😉
The problem is that every country change the names of villages in their own language. Was off course a .de link🙃
Strange that they didn't put Köningsberg instead of Kaliningrad- to sensitive too? That is a discussion on it's own.
@dazzab
Sorry for highjacking.
If you want to see the Bay of Biscay you can spend a short walk from Irun to San Sebastian and move on from there. Will be a good training too👍
Buen Camino
 
Last edited:

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Most read last week in this forum

FRANCE: le 29 septembre 2024 Travel Blog Musings on Midlife’s Misadventures Part Two: Bon! Où commencer? Thousands of people from all over the world...
Howdy, I am a Texas Aggie and a novice at walking the Camino. I am doing the Camino Frances for the first time beginning in mid May 2025. At this time, I am doing it solo but originally wanted to...
I'm looking to get from Pamplona to SJPP on Aug 2nd, 2025. Any ideas how to get there? i see a taxi is 295 Euros and im travelling on my own.
The organ music played during the swinging of the botafumeiro in Santiago is dramatic and the hymn is memorable. But I cannot find the names and composers of these pieces. Does anyone know or have...
In 2023, my wife and I trekked the CF. Last year, I did the VDLP solo. Both experiences were life changing. I humbly recorded what was happening in my head and heart. I am happy to share my...

Featured threads

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Featured threads

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

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
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top