First Timer: Time From Ponferrada and Reservations...

[klundgren2]

I'm a first time pilgrim planning a short trip starting in Ponferrada and ending in Santiago. I'm walking with two friends and we're all young/fit; do triathlons, trekked in India, etc. I think we could cheerfully tick away 30-35 km of easy walking in a day, but I'm not sure of the terrain and also don't want to rush/exhaust ourselves. What's a reasonable daily average to expect to complete each day? Also, I'm getting a lot of mixed reviews on whether we need to book spaces at the hostels along the way... what's the scoop? Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

 

[benandsam]

I have walked from triacastela to santiago and that route is mixed like all the camino, country roads, roadside pathways, along the main road a bit, undulating with sneaky steep little climbs.
I have booked ahead with my accomodation, i think if you are late in the afternoon and want to stay at hostels you may struggle so book ahead for hotels/pensiones or keep your days short and early if you want hostels.
30K a day will be no bother to you guys

 

[klundgren2]

Oh brilliant! Thanks! That's super helpful. Just ordered myself a book and some good maps, so once I've figured out where we'll be over-nighting, I'll tackle the booking process. Are their any pension's you'd highly recommend? K

 

[benandsam]

Im staying in different places to last year so im in the dark how good they are but i have tried to stay close to the path of the camino.
To be honest you dont need maps for the route of the camino follow the shells and yellow arrows

from ponferrada im at

ponferrada --------hotel lo templarios , 40 euro single room
herrerias----------paraiso del bierzo , 30euro single room
samos------------ victoria , 2 star hostel
portomarin-------pension arenas , 2 star hostel
melide -----------xaneiro, 30 euros , single room
arca de pino-----maribel
santiago---alleluia

for the small places you may have to phone spain or email the accomodation, ponferrada and santiago you can do through booking.com they are about the cheapest i think

 

[Anniesantiago]

It's correct that you really do NOT need maps to follow the Way. You can also find wonderful places online to plan your walk.

That said, Brierley's book includes telephone numbers of orivate places along the route, so you can phone ahead and make reservations.

 

[jeff001]

You don't need a book to follow the way but having one not only makes it easier to plan but also lets you know something about all of the places you are passing.

 

[pat.holland]

It took us 9 days walking from Ponferrada to Santiago over Easter just gone, looking back on it I would add another night to stay at Monte gozo so as to have plenty of time the following day to stroll into Santiago rather than galloping down the hills and to the Cathedral as we did.
Pat

 

[klundgren2]

Hmm... ok. That's really helpful. It sounds like 7 days will be cutting things a bit close then, so getting a bit closer is probably the way to go. I'm just keen to fit in as much of the walk as is humanly possible as it sounds like such an amazing journey!

 

[WolverineDG]

If you have 7 days, but want to take your time, start from Sarria.

Kelly