10 days-where to start??

[dee_smurf]

Hi, I am planning my camino mid may. Due to the amount of annual leave I can get, I am giving my self 10 days to walk to Santiago. I have searched the forum re: route planning but I am just confusing myself more!

I have an average fitness level, but plan to train over the next 6 months. I also would like to give an allowance of a couple of days in case I want to sight see or may get sick.

Where on the Camino de Frances could I start in order to fulfil my goal? (These 10 days do not include travel time to or from the camino...I am allocating the 10 days entirely to the camino).

Thank you
Dee

 

[colinPeter]

Hola Dee,
Possibly O Cebreiro, gives you a little time at the end also.
Buen Camino
Colin

 

[wayfarer]

Hola Dee,
Possibly O Cebreiro, gives you a little time at the end also.
Buen Camino
Colin

I agree with Colin, you can walk at a nice pace and enjoy the Camino rather than be under pressure.
Happy planning and Buen Camino.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Ponferrada to Santiago is a fairly easy nine days, and Ponferrada is easy to get to from anywhere in Spain.

 

[larsd4]

I'd say start in Molinaseca. You'll get 9 good days of walking in and experience the climb to O'Cebreiro, which is a good physical workout, and offers the most stunning Camino views in Galicia. Molinaseca is also very picturesque and has a real nice albergue. I'm jealous and I miss the Camino. Buen Camino.

 

[wayfarer]

It took us nine days to walk from Molinaseca to Santiago but we were trail fit at that stage and it would not give you any wiggle room if problems arose. If you really wanted to do the climb up to O'Cebreiro then Vega de Valcarse might be an optional starting point.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

One possibility:
From Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela

Summary
Longest stage: Boente - Rúa: 26.2 km.
Shortest stage: Palas de Rei - Boente: 20.5 km.
Total distance: 211.4 km.
Stages: 9.
Average: 23.5 km per walking day.
Stage Partial (km) Cumulative (km) Lodging
1) Ponferrada - Villafranca del Bierzo 22.5 22.5 R, 2P, C, H
2) Villafranca del Bierzo - La Faba 23.7 46.2 R
3) La Faba - Triacastela 25.7 71.9 R, 5P, H
4) Triacastela - Sarria 24.7 96.6 2R, 8P, H
5) Sarria - Portomarín 22.5 119.1 R, 6P, H
6) Portomarín - Palas de Rei 24.8 143.9 2R, 2P, C, H
7) Palas de Rei - Boente 20.5 164.4 P
8) Boente - Rúa 26.2 190.6 H
9) Rúa - Santiago de Compostela 20.8 211.4 2R, 8P, C, H
Abbreviations
R: pilgrims public hostel.
P: pilgrims private hostel.
A: youth hostel.
C: campsite.
H: hotel, hostel, guesthouse...
FR: off-route.

 

[dee_smurf]

One possibility:
From Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela

Summary
Longest stage: Boente - Rúa: 26.2 km.
Shortest stage: Palas de Rei - Boente: 20.5 km.
Total distance: 211.4 km.
Stages: 9.
Average: 23.5 km per walking day.
Stage Partial (km) Cumulative (km) Lodging
1) Ponferrada - Villafranca del Bierzo 22.5 22.5 R, 2P, C, H
2) Villafranca del Bierzo - La Faba 23.7 46.2 R
3) La Faba - Triacastela 25.7 71.9 R, 5P, H
4) Triacastela - Sarria 24.7 96.6 2R, 8P, H
5) Sarria - Portomarín 22.5 119.1 R, 6P, H
6) Portomarín - Palas de Rei 24.8 143.9 2R, 2P, C, H
7) Palas de Rei - Boente 20.5 164.4 P
8) Boente - Rúa 26.2 190.6 H
9) Rúa - Santiago de Compostela 20.8 211.4 2R, 8P, C, H
Abbreviations
R: pilgrims public hostel.
P: pilgrims private hostel.
A: youth hostel.
C: campsite.
H: hotel, hostel, guesthouse...
FR: off-route.

Hi falcon, thanks so much for your reply. But what do those numbers after each of the stops mean! This is where I was getting really confused!

 

[dee_smurf]

Guys thanks so so much for your replies. I think I will leave Molinaseca out, as this is my first experience of a trip this kind I think I will need that 'wiggle room' for anything that may go wrong!
So it is down to Ponferrada, O Cebreiro and Vega de Valcarse! I have booked off the last two weeks of May so now I just need to pick a destination and book my flights

 

[Deleted member 3000]

But what do those numbers after each of the stops mean

Stage Partial (km) Cumulative (km)

 

[RENSHAW]

MMMm , If you live in Europe and you know you will be able to return again and some day to reach Santiago , start at SJPDP and on your way , spend 2 days in Pamplona. Just before reaching Logrono is one of my favourite towns Viana , also worth an extra day.

 

[StuartM]

I did Astorga to SdC in an easy 10days but... that leaves you no leeway for getting to the start, rest days and time at the end.

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

I'm with Renshaw.
Start at Saint Jean. Ronchevalles, Pamplona, Burgos is a great way to begin a pilgrimage.
If you find that you want to come back, it is easier to find 20-some days to finish the walk.
Also. I dare say. To begin the journey with strangers, sharing the experience, can be more rewarding than sharing the finish of the journey. It was for me.
But, of course, we all have our own experiences.
Either way.

Buen Camino,
Lettinggo

 

[BeatriceKarjalainen]

Depending on how fast you walk and how long days you want.
This is how I spent my last 10 days:

14 Mansilla de las Mulas-La Virgen de las Camino 27.1

15 La Virgen de las Camino-Villares de Órbigo 30.8 via Villar de Mazarife

16 Villares de Órbigo-Foncebadón 41.3

17 Foncebadón-Compostilla 30.7

18 Compostilla-La Faba 45.9 via the route over Pradela

19 La Faba-Samos 36.2

20 Samos-Vilachá 34.5

21 Vilachá-Melide 42.3

22 Melide-Vilamaior 44.0

23 Vilamaior-Santiago de Compostela 9.0

 

[Leanan-sidhe]

this route planner has been posted before it is extremely handy so you can just play around a little http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances