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Camino Frances in october 2 weeks

Fender19

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Plan to walk Camino oct 2019
Hi all!

I'm planning to walk my first camino in mid-late october, and I have two weeks of time. Because of only having two weeks, I'm struggling to find a good route, and I'm hoping you could guide me to find one.

I will be travelling alone, but I'm hoping to meet other people on the way. Because it being in october I think for me CdF is the best way to go. What would be best? Start halfway, finish in SdC? Or start at the beginning, finish the other half some other time? Or would another route be more fulfilling, even though chances are it'll be way less populated, especially in october? I'm young, fit, and quite a fast walker.

Thank you for your help!
Be well,
Fender
 
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I like the way you say "my first camino". With two weeks for a first Camino, I think I would walk the Portuguese Camino from Porto. I walked it last October and I can tell you that you will still find enough fellow pilgrims to walk with (especially on the Central Route - I started along the coast with the Senda Litoral but switched to the Central route after about a day) and enough infrastructure to support you. If you are young and fit, you could do it in ten or eleven days without much problem and then walk on to Finisterre if you wish. But if it is harder than you think and you get tendonitis or something and need to rest a few days, you will still be able to make it to Santiago. It will give you a good idea of what a Camino is like and later, when you have more time, you can walk the Frances.

But both the CF options you list are good, too.
 
I will be travelling alone, but I'm hoping to meet other people on the way. Because it being in october I think for me CdF is the best way to go.

You won't be alone, there are friend's you haven't met yet behind and in front of you and why not just start at St.Jean and see how far you get within 2 weeks. Then return to complete when you have more time and pick up the journey where you left off.
I'm young, fit, and quite a fast walker.

This is all well and good but so are we all, young at heart at least and many an old fiddle plays a sweet tune and experience is something you receive just after you needed it. Take your time, find your ryhum and that of the friends you haven't met yet and enjoy each moment with some idea of where your wanting to get too each day, less expectations and no rush.

I completed my Francè in 5 weeks and it took me another 3 weeks to walk from Porto to Santiago. I don't think I would've wanted or enjoyed only a two week timeframe, too many Portuguese patisseries to enjoy, food and wine festivals especially outside peak tourism season. I would always recommend the first Camino to be France's despite how long it takes! Ultreia 🤠
 
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Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Thank you both very much for your reply.

I think I would walk the Portuguese Camino from Porto.

The portuguese option sounds like a good alternative, I reckon it would be fulfilling to "complete" a camino, even though that might not be the end goal.

Stamina-wise, I'm used to hiking semi-long trails (+-180 k) in the mountains, so the flatter terrain of the camino wouldn't be a problem physically, apart from blisters:)

I would always recommend the first Camino to be France's despite how long it takes!

May I ask you why you would recommend the frances being one's first? It does tempt me, even though I won't be able to complete it.

All the best,
Fender
 
@Fender19 My young, fit friend haven't you already answered your own questions 🤔

I'm hoping to meet other people
Because it being in october I think for me CdF is the best way to go.
start at the beginning, finish the other half some other time?
would another route be more fulfilling, even though chances are it'll be way less populated, especially in october?

All Camino are a people path of positive intention, more people, more infrastructure and more opportunity and you don't get a second chance to make or receive a first impression 🤠
 
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I’d recommend the CDF starting from Leon to Santiago. There are more people to meet and mix with, more facilities and going to the end gives you the sense of completion , achievement and camaraderie.

I haven’t done the a Portuguese yet, but I met a few people in the queue in Santiago waiting to get their compostela last October. They had just completed the Portuguese (having previously walked the CDF) and comparatively said they found the a Portuguese more isolating and lacking in facilities in October.
Hope this helps in your decision making.
 
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It is widely written that the Francè is broken into 3 stages Body/Mind/Soul. The elevation of the Pyrenees in the first day from SJPdP is the Physical, the Meseta between Burgos and Leon is the opportunity to find peace and reflection and go a little loco and after Leon to Santiago if religious or Finisterre spiritual. The route between Ronsevalles and Finisterre is widely believed to be in direct alignment with our Milky way. I walked the Portuguese at same time of year your planning and was ready to walk alone, the experience was more touristic and less physically demanding. I met 6 other Pilgrims in 3 weeks. At end it felt like, Partly Body/Alot of Mind/More Religious but the route was spectacular, seaside views and in my opinion Portuguese food, port and wine was better value for money and tastier 😋
 
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Hi all!

I'm planning to walk my first camino in mid-late october, and I have two weeks of time. Because of only having two weeks, I'm struggling to find a good route, and I'm hoping you could guide me to find one.

I will be travelling alone, but I'm hoping to meet other people on the way. Because it being in october I think for me CdF is the best way to go. What would be best? Start halfway, finish in SdC? Or start at the beginning, finish the other half some other time? Or would another route be more fulfilling, even though chances are it'll be way less populated, especially in october? I'm young, fit, and quite a fast walker.

Thank you for your help!
Be well,
Fender
Fender, it is all waiting for you. Given that you posted this in the Frances thread, I think you have perhaps answered your own question. I see you live in Europe, so it will not be a huge investment to return to finish if you do set out on the Frances. While you do have your life ahead of you, you have to choose something now. Once you do that, only look back to admire the view.
 
Personally, I think the Camino Frances is the best for a first Camino.
It's well supported so you learn the ropes.
Begin in Leon or even Astorga.
Or better yet, begin in Pamplona or Roncesvalles, and come back to finish it another year.
 
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Hi all!

I'm planning to walk my first camino in mid-late october, and I have two weeks of time. Because of only having two weeks, I'm struggling to find a good route, and I'm hoping you could guide me to find one.

I will be travelling alone, but I'm hoping to meet other people on the way. Because it being in october I think for me CdF is the best way to go. What would be best? Start halfway, finish in SdC? Or start at the beginning, finish the other half some other time? Or would another route be more fulfilling, even though chances are it'll be way less populated, especially in october? I'm young, fit, and quite a fast walker.

Thank you for your help!
Be well,
Fender
I am walking the Camino Frances starting at SJPP starting 10/5 for 2 weeks. Its the first time for me, too. I plan on ending at Burgos on 10/18. Perhaps we can meet if you decide to do the Frances and the dates work out.

Machelle
 
Hi all!

I'm planning to walk my first camino in mid-late october, and I have two weeks of time. Because of only having two weeks, I'm struggling to find a good route, and I'm hoping you could guide me to find one.

I will be travelling alone, but I'm hoping to meet other people on the way. Because it being in october I think for me CdF is the best way to go. What would be best? Start halfway, finish in SdC? Or start at the beginning, finish the other half some other time? Or would another route be more fulfilling, even though chances are it'll be way less populated, especially in october? I'm young, fit, and quite a fast walker.

Thank you for your help!
Be well,
Fender
Good morning

Two years ago Late June 2017 I had two weeks with travel from USA so 12 days to hike and I went from St Jean to Burgos. I am also a very fast walker and most days I could have walk further but since I wanted to end my first Camino in a place that it was easy to return to airport via bus and pick back up when I found the time to return Burgos made that an easy choice. Late September I will be picking back up in Burgos to finish what I have started. So I would say St Jean to Burgos and return and continue what you started.
Enjoy every step along the Way.
 
Thank you all for your kind advice.
After doing some research I have decided on starting at Leon. Apparently I had indeed already answered my own questions, and made up my mind before I knew it myself.
Starting in Leon will give me plenty of time to get to SdC, and in case I have some extra time I can continue until Finisterre. I cannot wait to be on the trail. Thanks again.
 
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Starting in Leon will give me plenty of time to get to SdC, and in case I have some extra time I can continue until Finisterre.
Indeed it will but something to consider, you sound like your suited to the mountains and you'll miss the majesty of the Pyrenees, the serenity of the Meseta and you'll be meeting other Pilgrims who have been walking together for weeks and formed their camino families. If your focus is too have a beginning, middle and end consideration might be starting at Sarria, similar to majority of Pilgrims, obtaining Compestela in Santiago, walking to Muxia to Finisterre (vice-versa) and walking backwards towards Santiago then when you have a month to spare in future can return to walk the 500 miles and get the full body/mind/soul experience 🤠
 
Indeed it will but something to consider, you sound like your suited to the mountains and you'll miss the majesty of the Pyrenees, the serenity of the Meseta and you'll be meeting other Pilgrims who have been walking together for weeks and formed their camino families. If your focus is too have a beginning, middle and end consideration might be starting at Sarria, similar to majority of Pilgrims, obtaining Compestela in Santiago, walking to Muxia to Finisterre (vice-versa) and walking backwards towards Santiago then when you have a month to spare in future can return to walk the 500 miles and get the full body/mind/soul experience 🤠

Yes, I have considered that too. I think I wouldn't enjoy starting in Sarria as much as I'd like starting in Leon (or sahagun). However I'm still doubting a bit if I should start in Sjpp, because yes, I love in the mountains, and have never walked on flatter terrain. Also, that social aspect is a good point. Although I don't see myself walking with the same people for weeks (when it happens it happens, of course), I will still miss the beginning feeling. But I reckon it still won't be hard to be in contact with others even though some families have already been formed.

Oh well, I have to miss out on something. The pyrenees aren't the only climbing section and I'd rather not miss the end then the beginning, I think. Neither option is perfect. But then again, what is:)
 
Also, I'm afraid I wont have a spare 3,5 or 4 weeks laying around anytime the coming years, sadly.
 
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I understand, Sarria would not be my Ideal starting point either, the time constraints makes it challenging. As previously mentioned by others, Porto to Santiago should also be consideration. Either way you know what's best and your camino journey has already begun. Two types of people walk, destination or journey men/women 🤠
 
Also, I'm afraid I wont have a spare 3,5 or 4 weeks laying around anytime the coming years, sadly.
Consider this a good thing, it suggests either your building your career or building towards a career. I thought the same and when I least expected I heard about the Camino, dropped everything, purchased one way ticket and it wasn't a case of wanting to walk it, some of us and someday you might need to walk it. We all have are reasons but for me it was to find clarity. I'm now addicted and starting my fourth at end of this month and don't think I would have gained the same clarity had I not have started in SJPdP 🙏
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Many pilgrims start from Leon. It is a beautiful and challenging and varied walk from there, and for the amount time you have available it is an excellent choice. Don't let anyone/anything dampen your enthusiasm. Buen camino.
Thank you for this, I think I needed to hear it.

I'm now addicted and starting my fourth at end of this month and don't think I would have gained the same clarity had I not have started in SJPdP 🙏

Hope I won't get addicted, but knowing myself I might. I'm glad you found your clarity. Maybe I will too.
 
Hello, I'm also starting my first Camino in October and also only have two weeks to walk. I'm starting in Leon and walking to Santiago. I'm actually arriving in Leon on Oct 13th and start walking on 14th.
I already purchased my airfare so I'm going for sure. If you're traveling around that time, let me know and maybe we can meet up.

thanks,
Joven
 

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