Advice - 4 Days to Hike Part of the Camino

[pattenwhelchel]

Hello everyone! I’m seeking advice about the best portion of the Camino to hike. I have 3-4 days free in either mid April or May to go. I understand that 4 days isn’t nearly enough time but it’s better than nothing. I’ll be traveling from Madrid. I’m young and active so can handle longer days. I might also be traveling alone as a young woman so I’d appreciate recommendations about safety as well.

 

[C clearly]

If you are coming from Madrid, you would probably want to start somewhere convenient for transportation. Assuming you want the Camino Frances experience rather than a lonelier Camino Madrid, maybe Pamplona to Logrono would be a good choice. In May, you might want to reserve ahead for your accommodation in Pamplona. It is a popular starting point, so you would meet lots of other new people - for that purpose it is good to stay in one of the popular albergues on your first night.

I have no safety tips except to be aware in the same way you should be aware wherever and whenever you travel, even near home. You will have much more company on the Camino Frances than any other route, if that is important to you.

 

[alhartman]

Yes, four days is a very short time. I would suggest Leon to Ponferrada. Easy bus from Madrid airport to Leon, Ponferrada has a rail station--so easy transport to return. The total distance is about 100+km and covers the western part of the Meseta as well as a nice climb to the Cruz de Ferro. (So bring your stone!!)

 

[David Tallan]

Both Pamplona to Logroño and Leon to Ponferrada are excellent choices. It really all depends on what you are looking for. Do you want flat or hills or mountains? Do you want something very solitary or do you want more of a pilgrim community? Would you like to see historic cities, small towns or villages? Do you want to walk through forests or wheat fields or vineyards? If we knew what was important to you it would be easier to suggest that section of the Camino that has the best chance of providing it.

 

[FLEUR]

Four days is better than none so go for it, you can always return another time and walk more Camino kms.

 

[Derrybiketours]

If I had four days to walk I'd start at the end and walk to the end or the beginning, Santiago to Finisterre, although technically not CF its beginning of Its own Camino so you can collect stamps and receive a Compestela You'll meet others who have walked 500 miles and more and share in their joy and postive intention that should provide an insight into what its all about and the importance of allowing a longer timeframe in future to walk in one visit and experience the body-mind-soul phenomena