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How many rest days did you take & where did you take them?

Melensdad

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2016 SJPdP to Santiago, Finisterre. Hadrian's Way, 2015. Sections of the AT + National & State Park trails.
Just curious, but if you ended up taking rest days:
  1. Did you take it/them because you were worn out -or had blisters/injury/etc and needed a day off for health reasons?
  2. Did you take it/them in specific cities so you could do 'tourist stuff' and see the city?
  3. Did you plan them in advance (like on a schedule of every 7th day, etc)?
    1. Did you have a rough plan, one that was flexible, but went indending to take some rest days, just not with specific locations pre-planned?
  4. How many rest did you take during your walk?
    1. One rest day?
    2. Two rest days?
    3. 3 or more rest days?
 
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None but I did not due to the fact I was blessed to have been given a second chance after heart issues. The next I will slow down.
Great thread I am very interested in the answers.
 
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Just take them when your body tells you to. You'll also know how long a break you need. Don't necessarily plan them around certain cities etc as nice as it is to grasp an opportunity to sightsee. My "plan" went out the window 1km post-Hunto and I managed to get a bed at Orisson instead of ploughing on through the rain and wind to Roncesvalles. I took my first proper break in Estella on day 7 because my knee was just about ready to detach itself, pack up its brace and go home by itself! After a decent day off and having decided to send my bag ahead the following day (which gave me another "day off" in a manner of speaking) I then walked for 18 days without any difficulties - in fact I felt so much better for taking an early break. Sending your bag ahead can also buy you a bit of breathing space especially if you get any back, joint or podiatry-related niggles and it's NOT cheating so don't feel that you're being judged in any way by other walkers. If you do attract looks or comment it's probably 'cos they're wishing they'd done the same but if you do encounter any negative vibes (as I did from a "camino veteran") well...that's more telling of their character than yours say I. All that notwithstanding, I think it's easier to be flexible re.rest days if you're not walking to a time schedule. I'm fortunate enough to have 2 months to do mine but I've met others who have return tickets booked due to work/other commitments so I would say that listening to your body is the most important thing. Yes, getting to SdC is the overall gain but if you only complete part of the distance but achieve it without incurring serious detriment then you can give yourself a serious pat on the back for that! Here speaketh a new pilgrim currently approaching her 5th week, hoping to have done it in 6 but hey, if I don't then so be it... good luck my friend and as the great Fleetwood Mac once sang "go your own way..."
 
I took one complete rest day in Burgos to visit family. However, I ended up doing a good bit of walking and biking on my "rest" day. I found that I would rather take short days than rest days. I walked less than 20 km several times, if I was feeling sore, or just plain liked a place I would call it a day. With my rest day and short days it took me 36 days SJPdP to SdC. Be flexible, take the time as your body and mind call for it. For me, the less planning the better.
 
I took 3 rest days.

Burgos and Leon because my body was tired.

Then ponferrada because I needed physio.

None were planned. Most people I talked to took rest days because their bodies needed them.
 
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I walked the Camino Frances in two steps: 1) SJPdP to Burgos last fall with one rest day in Pamplona, then 2) Burgos to SdC this spring with a half day rest by taking the bus from Mansilla to Leon, and another bus from Leon to La Virgen del Camino (walked only 16 km, or 10 miles that day). For me a short day was sufficient "rest". Taking the bus was my plan to get back on schedule and it helped me get over tired leg muscles after five 20 mile days. I had no plans to spend time doing "tourist stuff", except the monastery tour in Samos in the evening. I'll have to come back to Spain and travel by car to see all of the tourist sights.
 
In 2010 (CF) I planned for two rest days, but didn't take them. Reasons are complex and I won't go into why. I took a short day when I twisted my knee just before San Anton, and stopped in Castrojeriz. In 2012 (St Olavs Way) I planned two rest days, took them and enjoyed the breaks. Last year (2014, CI then Finisterre) I had a short day when I finished the CI, then walked onto Muxia the next day. I think it is worthwhile planning them from a scheduling perspective, but whether or not you take them is a decision that can be made at the time. If you haven't planned for them, they might be difficult to fit in if they are needed. Otherwise, there are a couple of extra days to explore Santiago.
 
We took a rest day in Burgos, Leon and Santiago and would highly recommend those stops.
This would give you time to rest, enjoy and explore these fabulous cities.
 
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I think it is worthwhile planning them from a scheduling perspective, but whether or not you take them is a decision that can be made at the time. If you haven't planned for them, they might be difficult to fit in if they are needed. Otherwise, there are a couple of extra days to explore Santiago.
This is a good point, and I probably oversimplified in my post. I didn't plan when my rest/short days would be (other than Burgos, but that was to be with family), but I did have six extra days built into my trip. I used three along the way and the other three were used at the end to drive to Finisterre and to visit family in Salamanca.
 
Hi Melensdad -

I would have to agree with the other posters, in that Burgos and Leon are both fascinating cities, and well worth some time spent exploring. Also the Cathedrals in both places are breathtaking - particularly the Burgos Cathedral - and could easily eat up a couple of hours.

But the other thing is - listen to your body, and if your body says it's time to take a break, then I would suggest you do so. There's no point pushing yourself, particularly if you have time to spare...

Bill
 
I came to the Camino this past fall, not knowing if I would ever be back again. And for this reason, I planned down days for Pamplona, Burgos and Leon. I'd take off my pilgrim hat and put on my tourist hat for each planned day. In Leon, however, I arrived Friday of the weekend with their big celebrations for their patron saint - filled with folk music, dance, regional costume, pageantry, concerts and food. I spontaneously chose to stay yet an additional day because on Sunday, when I would have departed, there were two big processions that I just did not want to miss. This turned out to be a very rich experience in my Camino. I am thankful that I built in plenty of time for my walk and had the flexibility to make this extra day off.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I take a day or days when I feel I need them, can be physical or just to sightsee. I do not plan them in advance, but usually when thinking of the time I might need will add 3 or 4 days in to the total for the unexpected, if I can get more days I will.
 
I like one day off every week.
My Camino Frances took 42 days.

Pamplona
Logrono (for the wine festival)
Burgos
Leon
Somewhere between Leon & Santiago.

These for me are rest days. Lots of lazing about interspersed with sightseeing
Regds
Gerard
 
We had planned to take a rest day more or less weekly, and expected it would be in the cities so that we could enjoy tourist stuff.

In fact, each time we almost stopped, we instead decided to 'shorten' our walking on the second day rather than actually stopping. So a couple of times we walked well under 10 kms between 'sleeps'. That, plus occasionally staying in more private sleeping space, gave us the break we needed to deal with soreness and mental fatigue that crept up on us.

Why did we change our plan? Once we were on the Camino we never felt it would be 'fun' to stop. I think we had become very happy with feeling 'pilgrim' and very connected to the flow of walking and the momentum of the departing walkers each morning. But we would certainly have stopped to rest if our bodies had demanded it.

We visited only tourist sites that fit into our walking days and didn't detract from our primary focus (I do smile remembering a group just off a tour bus in front of the Burgos cathedral excitedly photographing 'los peregrinos', ie, my husband & I wearing our packs. We were a tourist sight!)

My last thought is that Ken & I were very lucky. I'm glad we allowed for the option of regular rest days, and especially glad that they never became essential for us. having heard that 'speed kills', we walked from SJPP to Santiago in a leisurely 45 days and gratefully passed another week 'unpacking our camino' in an apartment in Santiago.

Melensdad - Thanks for starting a good thread.
 
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On my first Camino we had everything planned out with no rest days.
The second time around was much more spontaneous, and I allowed 3 extra days than I thought I'd need to get from SJPP to SdC, which gave leeway to do 'whatever'.
Both worked.
But I was glad of the flexibility the second time around--it meant no pressure and let the body be the guide. So I could take 3 quite short days after Najera to recover from a fall, and a day of rest in Burgos.
One suggestion, though, is that if you want especially restful day, consider arranging to stay in a hotel/pension--so that you don't get kicked out in the morning. [Edit...clarification: do this if you are taking a day 'off' and spending 2 nights in one place...]
 
Last edited:
.... listen to your body, and if your body says it's time to take a break, then I would suggest you do so.
Quite so! I had such a rest day when I shared a taxi ride with a fellow peregrino (organized by the hospitalera) from Villafranca del Bierzo to Laguna de Castilla; didn't want to become separated from my walking companions/cousins. I wasn't keen on the idea of wimping out on hiking up O'Cebreiro hill but I knew I couldn't manage it that day.
 
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Just curious, but if you ended up taking rest days:
  1. Did you take it/them because you were worn out -or had blisters/injury/etc and needed a day off for health reasons?
  2. Did you take it/them in specific cities so you could do 'tourist stuff' and see the city?
  3. Did you plan them in advance (like on a schedule of every 7th day, etc)?
    1. Did you have a rough plan, one that was flexible, but went indending to take some rest days, just not with specific locations pre-planned?
  4. How many rest did you take during your walk?
    1. One rest day?
    2. Two rest days?
    3. 3 or more rest days?
Hi, just finished my Camino Frances. I did not take any rest day's. What I did was to do some short day's to see the sites. I did that to Burgos, Leon and Samos. For me this feld good. Wish you all well, Peter.
 
I think it is worthwhile planning them from a scheduling perspective, but whether or not you take them is a decision that can be made at the time. If you haven't planned for them, they might be difficult to fit in if they are needed. Otherwise, there are a couple of extra days to explore Santiago.
That's how I will do it this summer. Just have to wait and see how things will go. Love the idea of having enough time to reach Santiago.
 
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I came to the Camino this past fall, not knowing if I would ever be back again. And for this reason, I planned down days for Pamplona, Burgos and Leon. I'd take off my pilgrim hat and put on my tourist hat for each planned day. In Leon, however, I arrived Friday of the weekend with their big celebrations for their patron saint - filled with folk music, dance, regional costume, pageantry, concerts and food. I spontaneously chose to stay yet an additional day because on Sunday, when I would have departed, there were two big processions that I just did not want to miss. This turned out to be a very rich experience in my Camino. I am thankful that I built in plenty of time for my walk and had the flexibility to make this extra day off.

Can you please tell me the date of the festival in Leon? I struck something similar in St Domingo de la Calzada and it was fabulous.
 
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Can you please tell me the date of the festival in Leon? I struck something similar in St Domingo de la Calzada and it was fabulous.
Weekend of 26 Sept, 2014. I don't know if that date stays true from year to year - you'd have to research it if that is something you want to target. For me, I had no previous knowledge of these festivities. They were one of many Camino gifts.
 
We originally planned to rest every Sunday, but once we started if was difficult to stop. Felt so good each morning to get the pack on my back and to start walking. All of those Days we thought we would rest were used at end of the trip to explore Madrid.

BUT I must admit, I had not read James Michners book, Iberia, prior to walking the Camino. If I had read it, I believe I would have stopped at many places he mentions in the book dealing with the Camino. Appears that I missed a lot of things.
 
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I like taking them in the bigger cities where there is more to see, but we technically didn't take any. Instead we planned super short days (like 10 KM). We stopped just short of Leon and Burgos and then got in early the next day rested and with time to see stuff. Would have done the same for pamplona, but we ended up starting in pamplona because SJPDP was snowed in
 
I want them from the minute I start walking in the am! But Imfind that is I have them I end up walking just as much. I am now done with the difficult part of the Primitivo and will be walking shorter days to fill my time to Santiago, and yet I know I will want a break, taxi, bus, every,step of the way starting in the am. I am a 20km girl, and if I get in early I will have a nap, then wondwr around or socialise, have dinner and then off to bed.
 
We took extra days in Burgos, Logronos, and Leon to see these wonderful cities, and we took one more rest day in Puente de Orbigo, due to a stomach flu.
 
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After o few days walking I met Ralf from Nothern Germany. He had been walking all the way from his home. I asked him some adwise and if there was anyhing he would have done different. The only thing I regret he said was tanking a day completely off, wisiting my brother. Starting again after that was hell. I took his adwise and did not take any day off, instead I took some short days. If you do not have to take days off because of injuries I recomand to keep the body rolling, a long stop will only bring acing and the longer brake the worse to start walking again.
 
Two nights each in Burgos and Leon to rest and explore, then 4 nights in Santiago after 28 days on the CF. All planned.
 
I have not started my camino yet, but I have given myself two months to finish it, all of October and November. So far, I have planned one short day, from Roncesvalles to Vizkarreta, where I shall be spending a second night at Corazon Puro, after being picked up by Istvan from Pamplona on my arrival then driven to SJPdP to start the next morning. After that, I shall float free, stopping when I wish and continuing at whatever pace seems comfortable. Of course, finding a bed may get more challenging in November, as albergues close for the season. I also plan to spend a couple of days at Santo Domingo de Silos, which I shall reach by bus from Burgos. I have not scheduled this, but shall book a hostel when I approach Burgos. I am looking forward to walking at my own pace and time and stopping when I wish. If I had more money, who knows when I would return?
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I'll have from 1 October through 12 November--I've given myself a few days to get back to Madrid, as my flight back departed there on 14 November. I think I'll make some extra days to explore Burgos and Leon, and even SdC. I also have days set aside for potential foot issues or tendonitis, as well as the little back issue I've carried around for thirty-plus years. I'm not afraid of injuries, but rather, will deal with them before letting them get worse.
 
We originally planned to rest every Sunday, but once we started if was difficult to stop. Felt so good each morning to get the pack on my back and to start walking. All of those Days we thought we would rest were used at end of the trip to explore Madrid.

BUT I must admit, I had not read James Michners book, Iberia, prior to walking the Camino. If I had read it, I believe I would have stopped at many places he mentions in the book dealing with the Camino. Appears that I missed a lot of things.

James Michener's book, Iberia, is a wonderful read and you don't have to start at page 1 and finish through page 795. You can look in the Index for the city, region, event, topic you're interested in and then read his (now historical) observations. Published in 1968, his observations are of an 'old' Spain, before the country democratized in the mid 1970s, and this is an interesting perspective.

I thank you, Xin Loi, for your post. I've pulled out my copy of Iberia and am thoroughly enjoying the read on Santiago de Compostella and pilgrimage.
 
We had planned to take a day off each week or a total of four days. We actually only took one day off...in Burgos. We seemed to get stronger as we walked and continued to Santiago. The last four days we actually did more than a stage each day...with one day totaling 24 miles. Our total days for the Frances, St. Jean to Santiago, was 33 days. We will be walking the Le Puy and Norte this year and plan to force ourselves to take extra days. :) Hopefully these two will be as inspirational and enjoyable as the Frances.
 
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I had booked a few extra days just in case but as it turns out I never needed them. I did have blisters, but thanks to a great walking buddy who helped me take care of them I was able to walk on. As a result we had a few days to share in Santiago before I went home and she went on to her next adventure.
 
This is a good point, and I probably oversimplified in my post. I didn't plan when my rest/short days would be (other than Burgos, but that was to be with family), but I did have six extra days built into my trip. I used three along the way and the other three were used at the end to drive to Finisterre and to visit family in Salamanca.
Do you happen to know if there is public transportation to Finestere?
 
52 days walking Mozárabe from Málaga to Finisterre. No rest days, but a number of shorter days (18 km +/-). In fact I have never taken a rest day over three caminos. Never felt the need. I know I am lucky not to have had health/foot problems. Long may it last!
Very few pilgrims on the Mozárabe - just came across six in 18 days. Was glad to be walking that section with forum member @george.g before we went our separate ways on the VdlP. Wonderful experience - blogged each day at http://www.magwood.me/camino-mozarabe/
 
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I took rest days as I was in no hurry and there was so much to see hurrying through the towns big or small so much is missed. also the body needs to rest so the walk is injury free and thus more enjoyable.
 
Just curious, but if you ended up taking rest days:
  1. Did you take it/them because you were worn out -or had blisters/injury/etc and needed a day off for health reasons?
  2. Did you take it/them in specific cities so you could do 'tourist stuff' and see the city?
  3. Did you plan them in advance (like on a schedule of every 7th day, etc)?
    1. Did you have a rough plan, one that was flexible, but went indending to take some rest days, just not with specific locations pre-planned?
  4. How many rest did you take during your walk?
    1. One rest day?
    2. Two rest days?
    3. 3 or more rest days?
I have no time limitations so I usually build in one rest day per week with an additional 3-4 days for touristy stuff at the end. The last bit is not Camino related. One year Madrid, one year Granada, one year Paris and once I even spent 5 days in Santiago.
As for the en route rest days they usually related to the Camino with significant churches Burgos Leon Astorga or cultural events like running with the Bulls in Los Arcos. I usually choose a hotel or pension over an albergue when staying more than one night in one place.
I was forced to take 4 days rest in Pamplona last year without having walked a step due to the airlines attempt at kidnapping my belongings. My knapsack was held hostage in Toronto.
 
Just curious, but if you ended up taking rest days:
  1. Did you take it/them because you were worn out -or had blisters/injury/etc and needed a day off for health reasons?
  2. Did you take it/them in specific cities so you could do 'tourist stuff' and see the city?
  3. Did you plan them in advance (like on a schedule of every 7th day, etc)?
    1. Did you have a rough plan, one that was flexible, but went indending to take some rest days, just not with specific locations pre-planned?
  4. How many rest did you take during your walk?
    1. One rest day?
    2. Two rest days?
    3. 3 or more rest days?
Don't forget the Camino is not a race. No medals given for hitting a certain number of days. Best advice I got was from someone in St Jean who always said "listen to your body"
A rest day can be many things. Often you can sit 5 meters to the side of the Camino in pretty open view and 70% of walkers will pass but oblivious to your presence. They focus on a 5' radius at the bottom on their boots.
Use a rest day to recharge and appreciate what your doing.
In the end no one can tell you how many you will need use them to magnify your journey. You race through the rest of you life don't make the same mistake here.

Spain is an amazing country use the days to understand it a little more.

Craig
 
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I got a room at Casa Cines in Pintin around 9 in the morning. I had walked all through the night and was very tired. That was day 30 for me on the Camino, and I hadn't taken a rest day before. There were plenty of short days, to me, a short day is under 20 km, but I had never take a real day off. So after my night-walking, I decided it would be a good time for a rest day.

Like I said though, I did have short days. Coming into Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon, I purposely stopped short so I could arrive in the cities early the next day.
 
We took extra days in Burgos, Logronos, and Leon to see these wonderful cities, and we took one more rest day in Puente de Orbigo, due to a stomach flu.

We did exactly the same stops--Logrono, Burgos and Leon. This was a vacation for us so we had a great time playing tourist on our days off. Besides, we needed the days off physically and mentally. If you aren't in a hurry and you like sightseeing, I recommend taking the time to see the sights.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.

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