april 2016 camino! (and request for advice?)

[caminojen415]

Hi there, I just posted my question below in the Camino Frances forum, so apologies if this is bad form to post it twice!...I just saw this forum and thought it would be a better fit! I'm doing my first Camino starting on 31 March. I had a friend who was planning to do it with me but had to drop out at the last minute so now it will be a solo camino... but I am looking forward to the alone time, and also the opportunity to meet other pilgrims.

I am about to start my first Camino next week (!!!) and realised I may have a few extra days. 3-4, in fact. I am not planning to walk the "full" Camino Frances (as in, not starting at SJPP) because of time constraints. I'm planning to start walking on the 31st of March in Burgos and continuing on to Santiago. However, I have a few extra days that I hadn't originally planned on. I'm wondering--should I rather start earlier on the Camino Frances (say, in Logrono?) so that I am not essentially starting with the Meseta, or should I just start in Burgos as planned and then carry on to Finisterre when I get to Santiago? I'm starting on 31 March regardless of where I begin. Any advice?

 

[Deepforest]

There are some lovely places before Burgos, but the few days before can be a lot of senda/ beside the roads. There's always the wish to walk more when you get to Santiago, unless you are really sore. Either option will be fine I think. Santo Domingo is really nice too.

 

[RENSHAW]

Mmmmmmmm , I got the old PDF Albergue list out to remind me what you would be missing .......and then I thought of the long walk out of the city of Logrono .....and the long walk though the city of Burgos ........and then I continued down the list and relived all the great places that you would see from Burgos onwards?
Burgos is a good choice and depending on how your camino progresses , you can decide weather to stop at more places along the way , spending a few days at Santiago or carry on to Finesterre.
Take the river route out of Burgos and walk into the Meseta ..... after a few hours you will find yourself in another world . The first few days in the Meseta are absolutely magical!

 

[caminojen415]

great! so burgos it is!

 

[Tincatinker]

...I am not planning to walk the "full" Camino Frances (as in, not starting at SJPP)

There are few residents of Burgos who would travel first to STJdP to walk to Santiago. You are walking a full Camino amigo (especially if you make it to Fisterra / Muxia.

 

[Pierre Julian]

Pamplona to Burgos is probably my favourite part of the Camino, I've done it three times. Sure there's some walking by roads, but the little villages and scenery are amazing. Logroño is a lovely city to spend time in, and one of the few free cathedrals on the Camino, probably my favourite Camino city. Navarette is my favourite village with really happy memories, magnificent church, the gardens at the top of the village, the squares etc. Najera and Santo Domingo are up there as great places also. I'm not so enthusiastic about Galicia (partly because in my mind I associate it with the end of the adventure, and the crowds are too much after so much tranquility, but that said, the walk to Finisterre is a wonderful experience and feels such an accomplishment - to get to the end of the world! The Meseta is wonderful, I've done it in the hot sun, and pouring rain and blasting winds, (carrying someone else's backpack as well part of the way!), its a fantastic experience.I can't help wondering though if the contrast with what went before, is part of its charm. Actually .... the more I write, the more I love everything about the Camino, all is good and the bits you don't see will be there for next time. Enjoy.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi there, I just posted my question below in the Camino Frances forum, so apologies if this is bad form to post it twice!...I just saw this forum and thought it would be a better fit! I'm doing my first Camino starting on 31 March. I had a friend who was planning to do it with me but had to drop out at the last minute so now it will be a solo camino... but I am looking forward to the alone time, and also the opportunity to meet other pilgrims.

I am about to start my first Camino next week (!!!) and realised I may have a few extra days. 3-4, in fact. I am not planning to walk the "full" Camino Frances (as in, not starting at SJPP) because of time constraints. I'm planning to start walking on the 31st of March in Burgos and continuing on to Santiago. However, I have a few extra days that I hadn't originally planned on. I'm wondering--should I rather start earlier on the Camino Frances (say, in Logrono?) so that I am not essentially starting with the Meseta, or should I just start in Burgos as planned and then carry on to Finisterre when I get to Santiago? I'm starting on 31 March regardless of where I begin. Any advice?

You will love Finisterre and the walk up to the lighthouse.
Wish you all the best on your journey and a Buen Camino, Peter.