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Purchase John Brierley's book. It has all of the distances and the elevations. You can easily skip from one stage to the next and walk the easiest stages. You will need to walk all of Sarria to Santiago. However, you can get a certificate for walking a distance if you don't walk the required 100K for the Compestela.Hi,
my wife, a devout Catholic, has expressed an interested in Camino a couple of times in the past. Considering that the next year is of special religious importance I'm looking into organizing it.
However she has some health problems. Nothing serious, but can't do a lot of strenuous activity.
So I was thinking about getting only the minimal requirement of 100 km, taking 2-3x more time than usual (either smaller sections or longer rests between them), using luggage transportation and staying at hotels or other venues with private rooms might make it possible.
What route would be ideal in that regard, considering physical demands and available accommodation?ATM I'm leaning towards the last 100 of the Portuguese route, not sure if coastal or central. However it does seem that all routes are fairly docile in that last part, so the environment might be more important. Less crowded and greener would be a personal preference.
Thnx
10 km is not a short day when you have health issues. May 2019 I walked up to 30km on some days over the last 100km, in order to spend as little time among the crowds as possible. Oct 2019 I struggled to do 10km/day, and couldn’t figure out why. Two weeks after returning I became terribly ill, and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer.You could do really short days as little as 8-10 km and have stops.
Could you do the same for Tui to Santiago on the Portuguese Camino?To be able to give some objective advice I took some GPS files I had and combined them to produce a profile of the Sarria to Santiago portion of the Camino Frances.
Nice breakdown. Very useful for a lot of us, thanks. What it does show is that the Frances into Santiago is not flat.To be able to give some objective advice I took some GPS files I had and combined them to produce a profile of the Sarria to Santiago portion of the Camino Frances. For some reason this came out longer than 100 km but I think we can work with it anyway.
View attachment 81394
A usual stage for the CF is about 25 km but considering your wife's condition I've marked up the chart to show areas about 15 km apart that may be suitable to end a day's journey. This would be 7 or 8 days. You may want the last day to be very short so you are rested for the events and excitement at the end. Actuall, you may want each day to be shorter than my suggestion.
You will notice that the first half of the trip has much longer and steeper slopes than the last half does. The later part looks to me to be walkable if you can do five uphills of 100 meters each within 15 km. For training, if you can't find an equivalent loop trail near home then maybe a boring five time repetition of walking up and then down a 100 m hill over 1,500 m will work for you. The number of repetitions can start small at first. I think that once you know what you are capable of with the smaller hills you can move on to trying ones that look like the ones closer to Sarria. Of course you can take plenty of rest stops doing those or even stop for a night if that is best. Towards the end of your training you would have a better idea of how long each of your stages should be and how many days you will need to finish the walk.
Buen Camino.
Probably not for awhile but then few people are going to need it this year. I could do a few more too if I can find GPS files for them.Could you do the same for Tui to Santiago on the Portuguese Camino?
@gerip is right, health issues can vary wildly so what works for some won't work with others. I walked it with Lymphoma so I get it. Another idea you could consider is one I proposed to a friend who is mobility impaired but really wanted to get the Camino experience. Camino by car. He and his partner drove the route as closely as possible, stopped and saw the best cities and sites, visited with pilgrims at cafes along the way, attended services at churches. They stayed in hotels because of special needs. I recall them telling me they even gave rides to a few pilgrims who were struggling, and felt like they had been a blessing to others through it. I recall the trip took them a few weeks. They had a blast and felt like they had done something deeply meaningful to them. The point is, consider all options and don't be afraid to do what you CAN do. I don't believe there is a single right way to do things.10 km is not a short day when you have health issues.
Those that did not walk the last 100km should not have received a Compostela, though I would imagine that such things happen. I would never accept something that certifies that I did something that I didn't do.But someone who went with a group from the UK told me that some in her group did about 8km/day with bus support, and everyone still got a Compostela. Maybe there might be some package tours that are able to work that out for you.
Many of us have already been walking for weeks by the time we reach the last 100kms, so the terrain doesnt feel very challenging as we have built up fitness in the weeks before. However a lot of people start at the final 100km mark, and many wont have the level of fitness.Nice breakdown. Very useful for a lot of us, thanks. What it does show is that the Frances into Santiago is not flat.
Also, up until this point none of us has really mentioned training. Finding a fairly hilly area to walk near where you live ( in southern England we have “The Downs”) will let you know your capabilities really quickly.
I’ve walked the first 300km and the last 115km of the Camino Frances and the stretch from Sarria to Santiago was easily the least strenuous. I didn’t use albergues at all and found small hotels and pensions through Booking.com.Hi,
my wife, a devout Catholic, has expressed an interested in Camino a couple of times in the past. Considering that the next year is of special religious importance I'm looking into organizing it.
However she has some health problems. Nothing serious, but can't do a lot of strenuous activity.
So I was thinking about getting only the minimal requirement of 100 km, taking 2-3x more time than usual (either smaller sections or longer rests between them), using luggage transportation and staying at hotels or other venues with private rooms might make it possible.
What route would be ideal in that regard, considering physical demands and available accommodation?ATM I'm leaning towards the last 100 of the Portuguese route, not sure if coastal or central. However it does seem that all routes are fairly docile in that last part, so the environment might be more important. Less crowded and greener would be a personal preference.
Thnx
What route would be ideal in that regard, considering physical demands and available accommodation?ATM I'm leaning towards the last 100 of the Portuguese route, not sure if coastal or central. However it does seem that all routes are fairly docile in that last part, so the environment might be more important. Less crowded and greener would be a personal preference.
Thnx
I agree with what Trecile said. You are supposed to walk the last 100K completely in order to get a Compostela. My feeling is that the the tour group made sure everyone collected two sellos a day and probably collected everyone's passports and handed them in to the pilgrim office. Or they just told everyone to say they walked the last 100k and to say nothing else. If I had to guess that is what probably happened. But I could be wrong.10 km is not a short day when you have health issues. May 2019 I walked up to 30km on some days over the last 100km, in order to spend as little time among the crowds as possible. Oct 2019 I struggled to do 10km/day, and couldn’t figure out why. Two weeks after returning I became terribly ill, and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer.
But someone who went with a group from the UK told me that some in her group did about 8km/day with bus support, and everyone still got a Compostela. Maybe there might be some package tours that are able to work that out for you.
Does this help at all? Tui is on the left hand side:Could you do the same for Tui to Santiago on the Portuguese Camino?
I dunno. I asked repeatedly and she said yes, they all go their Compostellas, even though she did tell me that not everyone walked the whole 100k, including an octogenarian lady who pretty much stayed on the bus, and they did it in five days!!!!! But I’ll ask her again about who they went with and be a little more circumspect, since I’m ill I’ll sell a story about needing extract support.I agree with what Trecile said. You are supposed to walk the last 100K completely in order to get a Compostela. My feeling is that the the tour group made sure everyone collected two sellos a day and probably collected everyone's passports and handed them in to the pilgrim office. Or they just told everyone to say they walked the last 100k and to say nothing else. If I had to guess that is what probably happened. But I could be wrong.
Thinking about this a little more, have you asked your doctor about how strenuous the activity can be? Does she have to keep her heart rate fairly low? We don’t need to know any of that information, just something to be discussed with your personal physician. Everyone’s heart rate climbing up a hill will be different, and depend on how used you are to pushing your personal threshold.However she has some health problems. Nothing serious, but can't do a lot of strenuous activity.
I went to the official website of the Pilgrim office which tracks all things related to Pilgrims and Pilgrimage and this is what is written about the requirements for receiving a Compostela. I also included the translation into English of what is written on our Compostela. Based on this and as I stated you have to walk the whole final 100K to receive your Compostela. There may be some dispensation for someone in a wheelchair or some other disability but I do not believe age is considered a disability. I have met at least 5 people over the age of 80 who have walked the full Camino Francis, Norte and Portuguese. In each case they all carried their packs too!!! They were quite an inspiration to me. Here is the requirements:I dunno. I asked repeatedly and she said yes, they all go their Compostellas, even though she did tell me that not everyone walked the whole 100k, including an octogenarian lady who pretty much stayed on the bus, and they did it in five days!!!!! But I’ll ask her again about who they went with and be a little more circumspect, since I’m ill I’ll sell a story about needing extract support.
In an ideal world yes but . . . When I was behind the counter one day two elderly Spanish ladies were escorted in - the immaculate hair, the boxed out shoulder pads and oversized sunglasses. Both were blind and each presented credentials claiming that they had walked in from Sarria. It was obvious that there was no way they would have been able to do so, they could barely make it across the room. I looked questioningly at my Spanish colleague next to me, she arched an eyebrow and we each made a Compostela and handed them over to be gratefully received.I went to the official website of the Pilgrim office which tracks all things related to Pilgrims and Pilgrimage and this is what is written about the requirements for receiving a Compostela. I also included the translation into English of what is written on our Compostela. Based on this and as I stated you have to walk the whole final 100K to receive your Compostela. There may be some dispensation for someone in a wheelchair or some other disability but I do not believe age is considered a disability. I have met at least 5 people over the age of 80 who have walked the full Camino Francis, Norte and Portuguese. In each case they all carried their packs too!!! They were quite an inspiration to me. Here is the requirements:
To get the “Compostela” you must:
You can do the Way in stages, provided they are in chronological and geographical order. However, if you only do the minimum required distance (last 100 or 200 km), you must always get your Credencial stamped at the start and end of each stage, including the corresponding date, to show that the pilgrim has resumed the Way in the same place where they last stopped (i.e. you should always get the stamp at the starting point even though you have already stamped the card in the same place at the end of the previous stage).
- Make the pilgrimage for religious or spiritual reasons, or at least an attitude of search.
- Do the last 100 km on foot or horseback, or the last 200 km by bicycle. It is understood that the pilgrimage starts at one point and from there you come to visit the Tomb of St. James.
- You must collect the stamps on the “Credencial del Peregrino” from the places you pass through to certify that you have been there. Stamps from churches, hostels, monasteries, cathedrals and all places related to the Way are preferred, but if not they can also be stamped in other institutions: town halls, cafés, etc. You have to stamp the Credencial twice a day at least on the last 100 km (for pilgrims on foot or on horseback) or on the last 200 km (for cyclists pilgrims).
Children and pilgrimage. Children who make the pilgrimage with their parents or in groups, and have received the sacrament of Communion, or have the ability to understand the meaning of the spiritual or religious nature of the Way, can receive the “Compostela”. If they are not mature enough due to their young age, they are given a special certificate with their names. In the case of infants or very young children, their names are included on the parent or accompanying adult’s “Compostela”. If you are in any doubt, please contact us at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office so we can look at each individual case.
The English translation of the text is as follows:
The Chapter of this Holy Apostolic and Metropolitan Cathedral of Compostela, custodian of the seal of the Altar of St. James, to all the Faithful and pilgrims who arrive from anywhere on the Orb of the Earth with an attitude of devotion or because of a vow or promise make a pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Apostle, Our Patron Saint and Protector of Spain, recognises before all who observe this document that: …………… has devotedly visited this most sacred temple having done the last hundred kilometers on foot or on horseback or the last two hundred by bicycle with Christian sentiment (pietatis causa).
In witness whereof I present this document endorsed with the seal of this same Holy Church.
Issued in Santiago de Compostela on ……… of …………… year of our Lord ……….
The Dean of the Cathedral of Santiago.
I have just discovered, much to my amazement, that I have never qualified for any of the four compostelas that are facing me across my desk. I always walk the required distance and am careful to get the sellos to prove it. And I always end my pilgrimages in the Cathedral in Santiago. But I have never walked down the stairs "to visit the Tomb of St. James." I felt called to make the pilgrimage, but I never read these words before. I must admit that I find this situation funny. I have never hugged that statue, either. Maybe "visit" could be interpreted as just following the pilgrimage regulations and ending up in the appropriate building? I am not much for visiting tombs. "Nuff said." I don't want to offend anyone. I guess that pilgrims may be called in different ways. I suspect that I shall be a little more casual about sticking to the regulations since I find that I have been so bad at it so far.you come to visit the Tomb of St. James
Odd innit. This old pagan always drops in on himself. I like to offer my hike “in vicare pro” and I’ll ask him to have regard to whoever. I don’t bother with the hug that often. Graven images are always a bit of a challenge. But those old bones, perhaps even those of one who touched the divine, they’re worth a moment and a prayer.I have just discovered, much to my amazement, that I have never qualified for any of the four compostelas that are facing me across my desk. I always walk the required distance and am careful to get the sellos to prove it. And I always end my pilgrimages in the Cathedral in Santiago. But I have never walked down the stairs "to visit the Tomb of St. James." I felt called to make the pilgrimage, but I never read these words before. I must admit that I find this situation funny. I have never hugged that statue, either. Maybe "visit" could be interpreted as just following the pilgrimage regulations and ending up in the appropriate building? I am not much for visiting tombs. "Nuff said." I don't want to offend anyone. I guess that pilgrims may be called in different ways. I suspect that I shall be a little more casual about sticking to the regulations since I find that I have been so bad at it so far.
I have never requested a Compostela, just the Pilgrim's Welcome Certificate that the Cathedral issues to us heathens. So I was surprised to realize that the first year that I walked the volunteer in the Pilgrims Office gave me a Compostela. Not being able to read Latin I had no idea until the following year, when I once again asked for the Welcome Certificate, and discovered when I returned home that it was different than the certificate I received the first year. I did a little research, and discovered that my certificate was indeed a Compostela.I have just discovered, much to my amazement, that I have never qualified for any of the four compostelas that are facing me across my desk. I always walk the required distance and am careful to get the sellos to prove it. And I always end my pilgrimages in the Cathedral in Santiago. But I have never walked down the stairs "to visit the Tomb of St. James." I felt called to make the pilgrimage, but I never read these words before. I must admit that I find this situation funny. I have never hugged that statue, either. Maybe "visit" could be interpreted as just following the pilgrimage regulations and ending up in the appropriate building? I am not much for visiting tombs. "Nuff said." I don't want to offend anyone. I guess that pilgrims may be called in different ways. I suspect that I shall be a little more casual about sticking to the regulations since I find that I have been so bad at it so far.
I think you qualified very well indeed to get your Compestellas. I thought it would be interesting to include what was written on our Compostella's as I never knew what they meant before. The first time I walked I went down to visit the tomb and hugged the statue and it was actually nice. I am probably closer to an atheist and don't hold religion in my personal beliefs but as someone who loves history I thought it was interesting and a good way to end things. Maybe one day it will strike your fancy to check it out. Or maybe not!!!! Take care and stay safe.I have just discovered, much to my amazement, that I have never qualified for any of the four compostelas that are facing me across my desk. I always walk the required distance and am careful to get the sellos to prove it. And I always end my pilgrimages in the Cathedral in Santiago. But I have never walked down the stairs "to visit the Tomb of St. James." I felt called to make the pilgrimage, but I never read these words before. I must admit that I find this situation funny. I have never hugged that statue, either. Maybe "visit" could be interpreted as just following the pilgrimage regulations and ending up in the appropriate building? I am not much for visiting tombs. "Nuff said." I don't want to offend anyone. I guess that pilgrims may be called in different ways. I suspect that I shall be a little more casual about sticking to the regulations since I find that I have been so bad at it so far.
In a situation like that it pretty much goes without saying. I met a young woman walking with her blind mom on my last Camino. That was pretty cool and as you say no way are you going to not give them a Compostela plus. The exceptions make the rules as they say!In an ideal world yes but . . . When I was behind the counter one day two elderly Spanish ladies were escorted in - the immaculate hair, the boxed out shoulder pads and oversized sunglasses. Both were blind and each presented credentials claiming that they had walked in from Sarria. It was obvious that there was no way they would have been able to do so, they could barely make it across the room. I looked questioningly at my Spanish colleague next to me, she arched an eyebrow and we each made a Compostela and handed them over to be gratefully received.
Before we buzzed in our next customers my colleague turned to me and said "There's no way I'm going to refuse a Compostela to a blind, 85 year old Grandmother . . . "
I think "visit" could very well encompass a visit to the Cathedral where the tomb is located as much as a visit to the particular room in that cathedral with the silver casket. I don't think a specific minimum distance is specified. I also suspect that they continued to give out compostelas (and/or the religious indulgences that can accompany the completion of the pilgrimage for those centuries when people were only able to visit the Cathedral, the tomb being empty because they had mislaid the saint. If you came there because that is where the saint is, I think it is enough to fulfill the requirements of that particular clause. But I am not a lawyer nor am I a Church official, so my opinion is only that.I have just discovered, much to my amazement, that I have never qualified for any of the four compostelas that are facing me across my desk. I always walk the required distance and am careful to get the sellos to prove it. And I always end my pilgrimages in the Cathedral in Santiago. But I have never walked down the stairs "to visit the Tomb of St. James." I felt called to make the pilgrimage, but I never read these words before. I must admit that I find this situation funny. I have never hugged that statue, either. Maybe "visit" could be interpreted as just following the pilgrimage regulations and ending up in the appropriate building? I am not much for visiting tombs. "Nuff said." I don't want to offend anyone. I guess that pilgrims may be called in different ways. I suspect that I shall be a little more casual about sticking to the regulations since I find that I have been so bad at it so far.
September can be crowded with all the senior citizens avoiding the summer rush.I don't care, much prefer a more solitary hike with wild camping and would probably not do it on my own, or at least not in the year and on the trail where we can expect a lot of movement.
She would be doing it purely for religious reasons though, so I would assume it to be important, even if not sure it has any connection to the indulgence of the Holy Year.
That said it might be crowded because of it, specially the last 100, so maybe one of the"alternative" routes? Are those still counting for the Compostela?
We could free some weeks in September instead of summer and go mid-week, that might help t a bit with crowds.
In an ideal world yes but . . . When I was behind the counter one day two elderly Spanish ladies were escorted in - the immaculate hair, the boxed out shoulder pads and oversized sunglasses. Both were blind and each presented credentials claiming that they had walked in from Sarria. It was obvious that there was no way they would have been able to do so, they could barely make it across the room. I looked questioningly at my Spanish colleague next to me, she arched an eyebrow and we each made a Compostela and handed them over to be gratefully received.
Before we buzzed in our next customers my colleague turned to me and said "There's no way I'm going to refuse a Compostela to a blind, 85 year old Grandmother . . . "
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