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I am 69 and I walked alone from Porto to Santiago starting on 27 September 2019. I have been active all my life. In Spring and summer I walk 4.5 km every day with a longer walk on Saturday. For 2 months before the Camino I walked between 10 and 26 km on Saturdays the last 4 with a full pack. I did not find it difficult and easily finished in 12 daysDear all, I have never walked the routes of Camino but this year I plan to walk Portuguese route. I would be grateful for any information you could share presuming I’m a beginner with no experience at all. What should I start with? Is it difficult physically (I’m 46 years old)? I plan to do it alone, is it ok or it’s better to find companions? Generally, what is the starting point of such a trip. Thank you
I waljed the Portuguese route from Porto in August last yearDear all, I have never walked the routes of Camino but this year I plan to walk Portuguese route. I would be grateful for any information you could share presuming I’m a beginner with no experience at all. What should I start with? Is it difficult physically (I’m 46 years old)? I plan to do it alone, is it ok or it’s better to find companions? Generally, what is the starting point of such a trip. Thank you
I walked the Portuguese route from Porto in August, beautiful, but I struggled with the uphills, because my legs were not strong enough, luckily I walked with my much younger niece so had some support, I am 75, all in all a wonderful route, just do some training beforehand, rather safe than sorry.Dear all, I have never walked the routes of Camino but this year I plan to walk Portuguese route. I would be grateful for any information you could share presuming I’m a beginner with no experience at all. What should I start with? Is it difficult physically (I’m 46 years old)? I plan to do it alone, is it ok or it’s better to find companions? Generally, what is the starting point of such a trip. Thank you
My wife and I walked it in July ( coastal route) and it was hot in the afternoons. Mornings were glorious. I walked it solo in September (litoral route) and it was also warm and beautiful. Were both going to do the Litoral route next July so maybe we will see you. BTW, I'm 64. Your going to have a great time.Oh, so many useful comments! Thank you very much. Looks like I’ve got encouragement and support here. Advices about boots and socks are most useful. Usually I’m a thorough planner and I have plenty of time to prepare myself. I’m not restricted in timing and can chose the period. September seems the best month for me as it’s not very hot. July would be better but .... not sure... did anyone experienced the route in July?
I remember when I walked my first Camino all those years ago. I was filled with questions about many things. People were kind to me and answered questions, in particular a Frenchman named Alain, now deceased. I still hold him in my thoughts and in high esteem.Dear all, I have never walked the routes of Camino but this year I plan to walk Portuguese route. I would be grateful for any information you could share presuming I’m a beginner with no experience at all. What should I start with? Is it difficult physically (I’m 46 years old)? I plan to do it alone, is it ok or it’s better to find companions? Generally, what is the starting point of such a trip. Thank you
We walked in2018 the first two weeks of September it was hot -over 30 every day. I think it cooled off later in the month and into October The walk should be a piece of cake for youDear all, I have never walked the routes of Camino but this year I plan to walk Portuguese route. I would be grateful for any information you could share presuming I’m a beginner with no experience at all. What should I start with? Is it difficult physically (I’m 46 years old)? I plan to do it alone, is it ok or it’s better to find companions? Generally, what is the starting point of such a trip. Thank you
Dear all, I have never walked the routes of Camino but this year I plan to walk Portuguese route. I would be grateful for any information you could share presuming I’m a beginner with no experience at all. What should I start with? Is it difficult physically (I’m 46 years old)? I plan to do it alone, is it ok or it’s better to find companions? Generally, what is the starting point of such a trip. Thank you
Dear all, I have never walked the routes of Camino but this year I plan to walk Portuguese route. I would be grateful for any information you could share presuming I’m a beginner with no experience at all. What should I start with? Is it difficult physically (I’m 46 years old)? I plan to do it alone, is it ok or it’s better to find companions? Generally, what is the starting point of such a trip. Thank you
thank you very much! your words are so inspiring! all my hesitations just disappeared. some preparation is needed, that's for sure but no doubt I can do it. thanks again!Take a deep breath and relax. I have walked from Lisboa to Santiago 3 years ago on the Central Route and will walk again this late September/October. Where you start will depend on how much time you have. If you have a month you can start in Lisboa. Not that many people start in Lisboa. The first couple of days aren't the best but it gets prettier as you go. If you are a religious person, or even if you are not, you may want to take the variant to Fatima. As you get closer to Porto and especially after Porto there will be alot more pilgrims than you met starting in Lisboa. Both cities are lovely as are some of the other towns and small cities as you approach Porto, especially Coimbra.
From Porto you have the choice of walking on the Coast that has two routes that merge at times but are very close to each other, or stay on the Central route and later you can take another variant on the Spiritual Variant. It sounds complicated but it really isn't at all.
Every person who takes their first step on their first Camino has stress and worries. Do not worry because before you know it the worries will be completely gone. Pick a place to start and take your first step.
Just remember you only have the step you are talking at that moment. Don't worry about tomorrow it hasn't happened and forget about yesterday because it is over.
You do not need boots. Really good trainers will be great. Do a search for what people think about shoes and socks. They are very important. Look up @davebugg he is the guru of feet and equipment and is really helpful and generous with his advice. Pack light and pack only what you know what you will use. You are walking one of the easier caminos and at your age you should have nothing to worry about especially if you do some training.Get a rucksack, backpack that feels right and train with your pack and your trainers.
You will meet people and some wonderful people. If you want to talk to someone open up. If you want to walk in silence, walk that way. Stay in the albergues and you will meet lots of great pilgrims. Even if you are alone and you see a few pilgrims going to dinner. Just ask if you can come. No one will ever say no. Get the Brierley Guide book to the Camino Portuguese. I think that will help you and you can order it here, just click on Camino 2020 guides. I think he is putting out a brand new guide for 2020. On your phone you can download the Buen Camino and/or Wisely app for the Portuguese. They will have more places to stay and GPS so even if you get lost (This camino is well marked) you can find your way back. Check out Gronze.com and open it in Google Chrome and it will automatically translate it to Ukrainian, or any language you choose. It has very clear distances and reviews of alot of albergues.
Finally if you have problems or lost you are in the best country in the world to get help. The Portuguese people are the nicest, friendliest and most generous people on earth. The food in Portugal is also pretty cheap and really, really good.
Take a breath and just walk Pilgrim!
Dear spring chickenDear all, I have never walked the routes of Camino but this year I plan to walk Portuguese route. I would be grateful for any information you could share presuming I’m a beginner with no experience at all. What should I start with? Is it difficult physically (I’m 46 years old)? I plan to do it alone, is it ok or it’s better to find companions? Generally, what is the starting point of such a trip. Thank you
Hi Inna,. did anyone experienced the route in July?
Special thanks for “spring chicken”!!!!Dear spring chicken. I'm 70 years young and doing the Camino again this year. My big lesson learned is to go light... you can just about buy anything you need along the way... i'm down to 8lbs (4kg). Good shoes and socks (i wear 2 pair - thin liners) are essential. I walk every other day for 5-10 miles and have a full pack on every other hike.... and then i rest for one week before the Camino. you'll be surprised how your body responds once your heart and brain get 'into it'. I found the first hour of each morning to be a bit painful but after that it was pain free... until i stopped walking. Best of Luck!
Special thanks for “spring chicken”!!!!Looks like I really am
I plan to walk about 10 days starting from Porto ( depending on coronavirus situation, hope there will be no limitations on travelling)The first two weeks of September is still pretty warm. Try to get a few practice walks in, gradually increase the distance as you get more comfortable. How many days do you want to walk? Porto is a good starting point.
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