10 days on the Camino - must not miss???

[mkel040]

Hi everybody,

I have just discovered this wonderful forum and spent a few hours reading through these wonderful, inspiring posts.

My husband and I are very time-poor with our hectic lives, however have managed to find 10 days in Sep/Oct to walk a portion of the Camino.

The issue is - which part should we do? I'm not desperate to get the pilgrim passport so unless the last section was unmissable above other sections, that's not an issue for us. We are fit, active 28 year olds who are eager to breathe in as much of this wonderful part of the world as possible. We have easily walked 200km tracks in 10 days previously, of varying terrain.

Thank you in advance for your advice (and yes, I know doing the whole thing would be best, but at this stage it really is 10 days or nothing at all).

 

[miamijhp]

Do you have 10 days of walking or a total of 10 days to expend?. Sarria -SDC 5 days, and three more days to Finisterre. You got there 8 days plus two in Santiago. Total 10 days. Buen CAmino.

 

[mkel040]

Thank you!! I have 10 days to do the actual camino, allowing for a total of 14 days to travel to and from Paris/another suitable international port.

 

[Arn]

Hi...welcome to the Forum and the Class of 2012!

Ten days gives both of you options:

Sarria to SDC (Camino Frances)
Ferrol to SDC (Camino Ingles)
Tui to SDC (Camino Portuguese)

All are doable for young (at heart) and fit pilgrims.

As to the Compostela...let the Way be your guide.

Buen Camino

Arn

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Mkel040

You have some good suggestions, and I think Sillydoll Sylvia Nilsen's book (see link below) also has suggestions for Caminos of various durations.

Travel to/from the Camino is an important consideration when you're time limited. The routes mentioned by other members above would be good as you could fly both to and from Santiago. The start of the Camino Frances is just a bit more awkward to get to/from, and it would be easy to lose a day if flight timings etc didn't work for you. It's my favourite part though, to be honest!

I walked the Camino Ingles from Ferrol this September and it was lovely. It's about 5 days to Santiago so you could also go on to Finisterre. It's much quieter than the Frances, which you may or may not prefer. (You can also fly to/from La Coruna rather than Santiago if the timings suit you better).

Buen Camino!

 

[Robo]

Hi everybody,

I have just discovered this wonderful forum and spent a few hours reading through these wonderful, inspiring posts.

My husband and I are very time-poor with our hectic lives, however have managed to find 10 days in Sep/Oct to walk a portion of the Camino.

The issue is - which part should we do? I'm not desperate to get the pilgrim passport so unless the last section was unmissable above other sections, that's not an issue for us. We are fit, active 28 year olds who are eager to breathe in as much of this wonderful part of the world as possible. We have easily walked 200km tracks in 10 days previously, of varying terrain.

Thank you in advance for your advice (and yes, I know doing the whole thing would be best, but at this stage it really is 10 days or nothing at all).

Sorry to answer this obliquely, but what do you want to get out of your Camino?

When you have finished, what would have made it a 'wow' experience for you? For example:

1. We met awesome people who we really connected with.
2. We were awestruck by the wonderful scenery.
3. We loved the old churches and sense of history.
4. The sense of community in the Albergues was great.
5. The food was amazing.
6. Being able to just slow down, smell the roses and feel closer to nature.
7. The sense of accomplishment we got from covering huge distance and difficult terrain.
8. Feeling closer to God or 'something' out there.
9. We loved the isolation on the path each day, just us and nature.
10. We love the moving community, having others around all the time.

Maybe you are starting to get the idea?

Each Camino and different sections of the Camino may offer you the chance to experience different things.

Are you just wanting to go for a nice long walk, or more?

I have only done 2 Caminos. From St Jean and from Sarria. Both were great.

If I had 10 days only. I might do a Hybrid. For example, start at St Jean and experience the excitement of setting out with others. Perhaps go as far as Pamplona or Puenta La Reina or even Los Arcos.

Then maybe travel forward to sample a few key places.

With my wife Pat last time, she only wanted to walk a short distance to get a Compostela. (she was carrying an injury). So we planned to walk from Sarria, but I wanted her to experience some of the earlier landscape. It took a bit of planning. But

We trained to Astorga.
Got a car up to Foncebadon (over nighted)
Walked over past the Cruz de Fero to the cafe caravan past Monjardin.
Got a car down to Molinaseca and up to O'Cebriero for lunch.
Then on to Sarria.
Then started our walk proper.

That walk over the mountains near Cruz de Fero was the best part for her

Darn! Another old thread........... Never mind I'll leave the post here
Must remember to read the dates..........

Now I'll have to search to find out what route they walked..........
She never came back to the Forum.........

 

[Bala]

But it's still good advice, Robo. So many people come onto the forum wanting to know the "best" section, or where to walk with a limited time frame. You questions on "what do you want?" are right on.

 

[DolfanCLT]

My wife and I kept postponing our Camino for years due to our inability to get away for 30-40 days, until we decided to do it in stages, or in different routes... just like you, we are not laser focused on getting the Compostela per se.... but wanted the experiences that one earns along the way.... of course, if/when we make it to SDC, the Compostela will be highly appreciated!!!

So, we 'started' last year by walking from SJPDP to Logrono.... mid to late May.... plan was to go back this year but not stuck on any particular segment.... I actually was rooting for Porto-SDC, but a good opportunity to go to Madrid came along and we plan to re-start in Logrono and walk/cycle for 10-12 effective days starting on April 6th.... hopefully making it to Astorga... but if we do not get that far, just as good.... we are starting in Logrono for the great reason that we want to have one more night at Calle Laurel... see? Nothing 'mystic' or deep about it.....

And I am already looking for another two weeks later on this year... and again, may resume the CF, or just try a different segment that may or may not take us to SDC.... we enjoyed the walk last year immensely, and are looking forward to this year's very eagerly!!

Hope this helps, and Buen Camino!!