Hi this is Cathy planning to walk 5 days

[Cathycrick]

We are flying into Asturias and plan to bus to a reasonable start point for 5 days walking into Santiago. Really like the look of the mountainous section after Astorga but realise that's too far so we were wondering about walking and taking a bus some of the way. Any suggestions from you veterans out there as this is my first time?

 

[nidarosa]

Can you walk that section and come back later for the last bit into Santiago, or would you prefer to get to Santiago in those five days? (Please keep in mind it is highly addictive.) How far are you willing or able to walk each day? Not a lot to miss in Galicia ...

 

[Cathycrick]

Can you walk that section and come back later for the last bit into Santiago, or would you prefer to get to Santiago in those five days? (Please keep in mind it is highly addictive.) How far are you willing or able to walk each day? Not a lot to miss in Galicia ...

Hi! Want to get to Santiago on the 5th or 6th day as flying out from there day 7. Don't mind about the certificate so just wanting to get a feel for the walk and the experience and love mountains! Advice on best bits to walk and which to bus would be great thanks

 

[Cathycrick]

Hi! Want to get to Santiago on the 5th or 6th day as flying out from there day 7. Don't mind about the certificate so just wanting to get a feel for the walk and the experience and love mountains! Advice on best bits to walk and which to bus would be great thanks

Forgot to say willing to walk up to 5 hours max each day - fairly fit but not sure how far that would get us

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Fairly nearby is Ferrol, the starting point of the Camino Ingles. It can be walked in 5 to 6 days. You can look at the terrain, accommodations, and distances here:

http://www.gronze.com/camino-de-santiago/caminos/guia-del-camino-ingles

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Cathy, with five days walking I would start from Sarria. You will have time to enjoy the walk and may even have some time to explore Santiago. This is a beautiful section and you will have a great choice in accommodation.
Buen Camino.

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Cathy!
I'd be tempted just to pick up the Camino del Norte to the west of Oviedo/Gijon (maybe at Aviles?) and aim for somewhere like Ribadeo, which has reasonable links to Santiago for your flight home. Otherwise getting to the start could really eat into your time. If you were flying into Santiago you would have many more choices. I've never walked the Northern route, but by all accounts it's beautiful. Others will advise better on the specifics.
Buen Camino!

 

[Cathycrick]

Welcome Cathy, with five days walking I would start from Sarria. You will have time to enjoy the walk and may even have some time to explore Santiago. This is a beautiful section and you will have a great choice in accommodation.
Buen Camino.

Hi Thanks for the advice. Do you think we need to book overnight accommodation in advance or will it be easy to find somewhere each night without booking?

 

[Cathycrick]

Fairly nearby is Ferrol, the starting point of the Camino Ingles. It can be walked in 5 to 6 days. You can look at the terrain, accommodations, and distances here:

http://www.gronze.com/camino-de-santiago/caminos/guia-del-camino-ingles

Thanks this was very useful but think we may stick to the other route this time. Maybe next year it looks beautiful!

 

[nidarosa]

Some people prefer to book private accommodation from Sarria in, especially the ones who have been on the road for many weeks already, while others enjoy the unpredictability and go with the flow, stopping when you feel like it and finding somewhere or moving on to the next place. The bed race is not as bad as this forum sometimes makes out, at least not outside June and July. If you can't find somewhere and you are really tired, get a taxi back or forth a few kms and then go back and start again from the same point the next day. No one has ever been forced to sleep under the stars (though some prefer it).

 

[Cathycrick]

Some people prefer to book private accommodation from Sarria in, especially the ones who have been on the road for many weeks already, while others enjoy the unpredictability and go with the flow, stopping when you feel like it and finding somewhere or moving on to the next place. The bed race is not as bad as this forum sometimes makes out, at least not outside June and July. If you can't find somewhere and you are really tired, get a taxi back or forth a few kms and then go back and start again from the same point the next day. No one has ever been forced to sleep under the stars (though some prefer it).

Thanks your advice has been very helpful, and we will most likely go with the flow!

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

We are flying into Asturias and plan to bus to a reasonable start point for 5 days walking into Santiago. Really like the look of the mountainous section after Astorga but realise that's too far so we were wondering about walking and taking a bus some of the way. Any suggestions from you veterans out there as this is my first time?

Sarria

 

[Ofelia Cristina]

Can you walk that section and come back later for the last bit into Santiago, or would you prefer to get to Santiago in those five days? (Please keep in mind it is highly addictive.) How far are you willing or able to walk each day? Not a lot to miss in Galicia ...

Hello Nidarosa, I agree with you when you say "it's highly addictive"... So, I was wondering, have you thought what makes it so exhilirating....? Why is it that one wants to go back and walk more and more despite the muscular ache, the constant efforts....

 

[nidarosa]

- The freedom.
- The flexibility - I always carry my own pack and would advise those who can, to do the same, rather than be tied into a rigid plan, set stages and pre-booked accommodation, just make your own decisions depending on how you feel there and then.
- The simplicity - less is more; an important life lesson in my opinion. How much do you really need to be safe, warm, happy?
- The routine - get up, walk, shower, do laundry, eat, drink, sleep, repeat, a soothing predictability in all the unknown
- The fellowship of all the people from all over the world and all walks of life, all heading towards the same goal
- Not knowing what the day will bring, who you will meet, what you will learn, what thoughts will pop up
- The joy of feeling your body working, being outside with the sun, the wind, the rain, the views, the fellow pilgrims
- Knowing it is there, even when you are not ... waiting.

Am I getting close?

 

[Ofelia Cristina]

Wonderful answer, thank you!

Yes, I can relate to everything you state, although I have not yet begun my "proper" walk... That's why I intend to do the 800 Kms in two or three months, hopefully in 2015. However, last month I did 4 stages of the 5 I had planned, that's why I looked into this thread, seeking to look back and relate to others in their beginning stages. Hence, I can say that now I can talk about how NOT to do the walk, although all experiences are gaining moments...

I hope to experience all you have described, even if I am struggling with the idea of carrying my stuff, and at the monent I think I will begin with the newly service offered by CORREOS (the Spanish post office) of trasporting my bag from one place to another for few Euros, which will demand more planning I imagine.

From my personal angle, I would only add to your list the spiritual dimension and the full enjoyment offered by the Catholic reality so evident in the Spanish culture.

So, when will be your next Camino ?

- The freedom.
- The flexibility - I always carry my own pack and would advise those who can, to do the same, rather than be tied into a rigid plan, set stages and pre-booked accommodation, just make your own decisions depending on how you feel there and then.
- The simplicity - less is more; an important life lesson in my opinion. How much do you really need to be safe, warm, happy?
- The routine - get up, walk, shower, do laundry, eat, drink, sleep, repeat, a soothing predictability in all the unknown
- The fellowship of all the people from all over the world and all walks of life, all heading towards the same goal
- Not knowing what the day will bring, who you will meet, what you will learn, what thoughts will pop up
- The joy of feeling your body working, being outside with the sun, the wind, the rain, the views, the fellow pilgrims
- Knowing it is there, even when you are not ... waiting.

Am I getting close?

 

[nidarosa]

Why are you struggling with the idea of carrying your stuff? Is there perhaps too much of it? I have spent a great deal of time and miles of trial and error minimising my packing list* exactly so I can carry my pack with no problems and be ready for anything at any time. I am struggling with the idea of having my medical kit, my spare T-shirt or my spare shoes in a pack in the back of a taxi if I should need it. You don't need much, so don't take much. A heavy pack will add to your troubles, a light pack will add to your adventure!

If you are physically able to carry 5-6 kgs on your back, start now practising carrying it, and start practising packing light. If you get used to it, it won't seem or feel so scary anymore and you might change your mind about transporting your pack. Too many people are chasing material things in their everyday life, why would you want to chase your belongings on the Camino?

*search Un-packinglist on this forum and my latest list is somewhere towards the end of the thread