Decisions...decisions

[GuyA]

Looking forward to 2024...in 2023 have walked a modified Island Walk (582 kms) in PEI Canada and in the Fall plan to walk Wainwrights Coast to Coast in England. However for 2024...back to a Camino route...that is unless I choose to walk to Machu Pichu in Peru which I am considering .

I have mapped out 5 different routes and welcome any comments from your experiences on any of these! To add some perspective...I have walked 8 different Camino routes Via Jacobi (Switzerland), Via Gebennensis, Via Podiensis (France), Camino Frances, Primitivo, San Salvador, Finisterre (Spain) and Camino Portuguese (Portugal.) All have been great experiences however if pressed to choose favourites Camino Primitivo (great blend of scenery, mountain views, elevation gains/losses and meeting a number of other pilgrim walkers) and Via Gebennensis from Geneva to Le Puy en Velay (same comments as Camino Primitivo except few pilgrim walkers met).

Criteria for choosing a 2024 route

14 -16 days walking ...25/26 kms per day...Camino route I haven’t walked...prefer finishing in Santiago de Compostela however this is not a solid requirement.

Currently under consideration...”Feels Like” see example below

- Camino Norte Stage 1 Irun to Ribadesella (16 days) Daily 26.4 kms Feels like 32.1 kms
- Camino Invierno from Leon (14 days) Daily 26.2 kms Feels like 31.5 kms
- Camino Sanabres from Zamora (15 days) Daily 26.7 kms Feels like 31.0 kms
- Camino Invierno (Ponferrada) and Camino Inglis (Ferrol)* (15 days) Daily 25.3 kms Feels like 30.9 kms
- Camino Norte Stage 2 Ribadesella to Santiago (16 days) Daily 25.4 kms Feels like 30.4 kms

- Camino Primitivo (2022) (12 days) Daily 26.4 kms Feels like 30.4 kms

* An intriguing walk... if completed I would have entered Santiago de Compostela from 4 different entry points. Are there additional entry points?

“Feels Like” Basic Assumptions (calibrated to past walks)

- Walk 5.5 kms per hour on level ground
- Add 1 hour per 1,000 meters elevation gain
- Add .6 hours per 1,000 meters elevation loss

Example

- 25 km walking day with 1,000 meters elevation gain and 1,000 meters elevation loss

- Elevation gain additional kms equivalent = (1,000 x 1) x 5.5 or 5.5 kms
- Elevation loss additional kms equivalent = (1,000 x .6) x 5.5 or 3.3 kms

- This day feels like a 33.8 km walking day on level ground

Of course averages can be very misleading...it’s the outlier days that can really impact a walk. I generally try to avoid any “Feels Like” days > 40 kms. Of some concern the Camino Invierno as per my understanding has two consecutive days > 40 kms.

- Arcos to Quiroga Daily 36.3 kms Feels like 46.8 kms Elevation Gain 1,176 m, Loss (1,221)
- Quiroga to Montfort de Lemos Daily 35.2 kms Feels like 43.8 kms Elevation Gain 981m, Loss (964)

Are these two days as difficult as they appear to be? Are there alternatives to these stages?

Any comments/suggestions are most certainly appreciated and welcome!

Thanks

Guy

 

[jgiesbrecht]

I wrote myself several potential future camino plans, and a 15 day one for me was the Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago. It really could be done a tad shorter by most people too, but theres an option to look at....of all the ones I've "prepared" its the only one close to your interest. My actual plan there was doing the San Salvador so Leon at the start, so 21 days total. Very possible to be done in 16-17 days as several of my looks at it are less than 20 km.

 

[Lindsay53]

I walked to Machu Pichu 15 years ago. Do it!

 

[docdiamond]

For heaven sakes, try something new (i.e., non Camino)! The Inca Trail is great, but it normally just takes 4 days.

 

[GuyA]

For heaven sakes, try something new (i.e., non Camino)! The Inca Trail is great, but it normally just takes 4 days.

Agreed that’s what 2023 has been about 2 non Camino walks. Machu Picchu Walk I am looking at is a 13 day itinerary with 9 days walking…they go to Choquequirao first…however many many Forum members have walked way more Camino paths than I have…and there is good reason for that.

 

[CWBuff]

Did MP with my son in 2011. Totally AWESOME!!!!
TMB & Kilimanjaro for me before I return to Camino

 

[GuyA]

Did MP with my son in 2011. Totally AWESOME!!!!
MBT & Kilimanjaro for me before I return to Camino

Interesting you mention TMB as this was the second option mentioned to my walking friend.

 

[docdiamond]

Yes, the TMB is magnificent. Kilimanjaro is nice, but not nearly as beautiful as the TMB. Also, Kilimanjaro is a fully supported tent trek, while the TMB has huts and hot showers.