camino frances in ca. 3 weeks

[Voecker]

camino frances in ca. 3 weeks

Hi all,

I want to pilgrimage for the first time in October / November 2013 and this -quite classic- on the camino frances.
I have about 3 weeks (up to 24 days without flying in/ out) and yes, I'd like to arrive in SdC.
Most of the suggestions in forums for this period recommend starting in Burgos.
But I would like to start SJPdP and cheat a little bit by using bus / train throughout the journey.
My back-calculation showed that I may wander from SJPdP up to Burgos, then by bus / train ride to Leon (which will also probably be the least attractive part of scenic route).
Then continue from there on pilgrimage to Ponferrada.
From there the next part should be done by bus/ train again - direction Triacastela.
From there I'll do the last km's to SdC.

My questions to you:
1. Does anyone know whether a bus from Ponferrada direction Triacastela drives (or at least until PEDRAFITA DO CEBREIRO on the A6?) - didn't find anything on alsa.es
2. Better to start in Burgos and wander up towards SdC or do not you think my idea using bus/ train in-between not as bad either?
3. Is my "calculation" meaningful at all, or is that too optimistic (I'm in pretty good physical shape and also have hiking experience)
4. Any idea for the best journey to SJPdP (or Burgos) - in particular the transfer from the airports in Biarritz or Bilbao?
5. Other tips for the inexperienced Camino pilgrimage (temperature in Oct./ Nov, on hostels, etc.)?

Thank you for your help
Bjoern

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Burgos is about 490 km from Santiago, so you can do it in 24 days. You can also skip parts on buses. Triacastela is one of the more difficult places to get to bus, but you can jump smalls sections from before Burgos to Leon, Astorga, Ponferrada, Villafranca del Bierzo, Abasmestas, and Sarria. You could start wherever you want, see how it is going, and make the decision to skip a part when you are there.

 

[reuben79]

I agree, you probably want to stay flexible and make decisions along the way. But many people hike the whole thing in less than 30 days (not me, but some) so I'm sure you will be able to find enough skippable sections to make it to Santiago in 24 days. Personally I liked the Meseta but most found it missable. There are a lot of buses along the route and although I don't know much about the details I wouldn't worry much about planning them ahead. Worst case scenario you can take a 20km taxi ride to the next town in a pinch. As for tips - I could go on for days but I would suggest looking through the FAQ section and reading some blogs of people who have hiked it in October (because the problems are much different than those faced in the summer). I actually just read a really entertaining book by someone who hiked the Camino Frances last October. You can find it under the Camino Resources section (Behind the Albergue Door). It has a lot of great advice and detail. Have a great hike!

 

[Pieces]

not knowing why you have made the outlined planes, but if the main reason is to do the pyrenee I would suggest you bus the required stretch as soon as possible after, there is something rather special about walking the long stretches in a row meeting the same people over and over again as opposed to moving in and out of groups all the time breaking up the journey...

but then it all depends on why you are walking. Also, if it is about the walking more than the arriving maybe just start walking and see where it gets ou and ome back and finish (or begin) at some other time...

if you just want to be on your own bussing in and out can be a fine way to go