15 days on the Camino.

[EL LECHERO]

Any thoughts on starting at SJPDP walking to Pamploma then taking the bus to Sarria and walking the rest to Santiago? We also want to bus to Finesterre. then fly to Paris for a couple days. Suggestions? Should we fly into Madrid then fly out of Paris? We fly out on April 28th and fly back on May 24th 2016.

 

[Tincatinker]

@Milkman two interesting stretches of the Camino though there are many others. Some will probably suggest you simply start some 15 days out from Santiago; Leon maybe. If you are determined to cross the Pyrenees then make sure you are fit enough. There are many sad tales of pilgrims damaging themselves in those first few days. Especially those hiking on tight time scales.

If you are starting in St Jean then flying into Paris and out of Madrid makes better logistical sense.

Happy planning

 

[EL LECHERO]

Any thoughts on starting at SJPDP walking to Pamploma then taking the bus to Sarria and walking the rest to Santiago? We also want to bus to Finesterre. then fly to Paris for a couple days. Suggestions? Should we fly into Madrid then fly out of Paris? We fly out on April 28th and fly back on May 24th 2016.

 

[EL LECHERO]

Thanks!, We definetly don't want to have to rush and have time to see Finesterre. Any knowledge of flights from Santiago to Paris? How easy is it ?

 

[mspath]

Vueling and Aer Lingus fly non stop from Santiago to Paris/Charles De Gaulle. Iberia flies vis Madrid to Paris/Orly. Try the Rome2Rio web site for more info.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Any thoughts on starting at SJPDP walking to Pamploma then taking the bus to Sarria and walking the rest to Santiago? We also want to bus to Finesterre. then fly to Paris for a couple days. Suggestions? Should we fly into Madrid then fly out of Paris? We fly out on April 28th and fly back on May 24th 2016.

Hi, when you want to cross the Pyrenees be sure you are fit enough to do so as already stated.
Wish you well and happy planning, Peter.

 

[LauraK]

I would recommend starting in Leon (or Astorga). It takes several days to get in the rhythm of the Camino and you will no doubt meet fellow pilgrims that will become an important part of your Camino - and 10-12 days is just enough time to have that happen. I walked my first (and supposedly only) Camino from Leon. It provided a good mix of geography and Camino highlights - you will have the hike over the mountains (not as high as SJPdP - but beautiful and challenging enough) at Cruz de Ferro and O'Cebriero, beautiful cathedral in Leon, castle in Ponferrada...all before you hit Sarria. While you may be focused now on sites or stages you have read about, the Camino is much more than that - it is the routine and rhythm of getting up and walking everyday, the internal contemplation, the connection to other pilgrims, and, for some, spiritual.

You will need to add travel time to get to SJPdP and to travel from Pamplona to Sarria which is time you could use walking. The train from Madrid to Leon is just over two hours so, depending on arrival time, you could start walking the day you arrive or enjoy an afternoon in Leon (a beautiful city) and start the next morning. You could then take a short flight direct from Santiago to Paris. This would maximize your walking days.

On my first Camino (with limited time) I chose to walk from Leon because I wanted to experience walking into Santiago and I truly thought it was a one time trip. I ended up going back a year later to walk from Roncesvalles to Leon to see what I missed and eventually (2012) was able to get about 40 days off to walk the entire CF in Spain. And I am still walking! Whatever route you choose, I am sure you will have a great Camino!

 

[EL LECHERO]

Thanks!!! That really helps! I think that may be the tip I have been looking for.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

If you choose to start in Leon, after the flight to MAD and the train in, maybe stay here: Hotel Sercotel Alfonso V

Its just barely a walk to the Cathedral, and if you are worried about where to pick up the path, just look out the window in the morning and watch the perigrinos who probably started earlier following the path through the roundabout and across the river. I would suggest getting a credential before you even leave, available here from Ivar. That means on your first day you have a delightful Spanish hotel, and lovely Leon nightlife filled with with plaza and people watching. Make sure you ask the person at the desk to stamp your credential so you establish your starting point. With all things in hand and the first day's lift off as confident as can be expected, proceed along the path, though the first day out of Leon to Mazarife or beyond (recommended) won't be a typical day's walk. Its urban in its first half.

 

[JMac56]

Any thoughts on starting at SJPDP walking to Pamploma then taking the bus to Sarria and walking the rest to Santiago? We also want to bus to Finesterre. then fly to Paris for a couple days. Suggestions? Should we fly into Madrid then fly out of Paris? We fly out on April 28th and fly back on May 24th 2016.

Hola Milkman. I walked from Astorga to SdC in 10 days in May (probably a bit too quick, but I pushed it from Sarria because my Mum was ill back home). Flew in from London to Bilbao, then train to Astorga. Then flew Vueling from SdC to Paris on way back to Oz. All worked well for me. Buen Camino.