from southern Norway, My introduction!

[Shannon_Flekkefjord]

Yes, we'll be on the Camino in 2013... it's our first time. We (Shannon, 60, American, living in Norway, and my husband, Ørnulf, 74, Norwegian) are looking forward to meeting other hikers on the trails.. seeing the countryside... hiking on trails slightly warmer than the (also stunning, beautiful..) Norwegian trails.. having small cafés near the route!.... and arriving on foot in Santiago. We are not looking forward to blisters...
We plan to start in Leon in mid-June.. and hike for two or three weeks. We'll order our return tickets from Spain when we see how long things take. We're in good physical form, and now we're taking walks in our hilly surroundings, wearing hiking boots and with a pack on. Five months to go! It's great hearing about everybody's different adventures and plans, here in the forum, and being able to learn from your experiences!
We look forward to meeting you on the trail, so to everyone, !Buen camino, peregrinos!

 

[sillydoll]

Welcome to the Forum.

If you would like to walk on to Finisterre and Muxia, you could save two days (or 1.5 days) by getting a bus from Leon to Hospital de Orbigo and walking from there.

It is a long, tiring walk out of Leon onto a soulless 'senda' (asphlat path) next to a busy highway, with little or no shade. Not the best start to a Camino walk! But, from there on the scenery is wonderful and the paths are quieter.

 

[Shannon_Flekkefjord]

Welcome to the Forum.

If you would like to walk on to Finisterre and Muxia, you could save two days (or 1.5 days) by getting a bus from Leon to Hospital de Orbigo and walking from there.

It is a long, tiring walk out of Leon onto a soulless 'senda' (asphlat path) next to a busy highway, with little or no shade. Not the best start to a Camino walk! But, from there on the scenery is wonderful and the paths are quieter.

Thanks for the good advise. We will certainly consider this and look at our plans again. At this moment we are entirely flexible! -sh

 

[Deleted member 3000]

next to a busy highway

The option to Hospital through Vilar de Mazarife after La Virgen del Camino is a bit better. It has road walk along very lightly traveled roads. There are three albergue options in Mazarife, too, instead of the one municipal albergue in Villadangos with its three-high bunks! One advantage of starting in Leon is that its terrain rises fairly gently, so you have a couple of training days before arriving at the mountains after Astorga. You can gain at least a day a bit later by taking a bus from Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo, and walking up the Valcarce river valley to make the assault on O Cebreiro at the beginning of the day!

Buen camino.

 

[Shannon_Flekkefjord]

so you have a couple of training days before arriving at the mountains after Astorga.

Buen camino.

More great ideas! thanks!! Yes, I also noticed that the "kind" trail profile would give us a gentle start. I will study the maps now.. It would be nice to Leon while we are so close.. In this January frost we are really looking forward to walks without several layers of wool clothes, caps and mittens..

 

[Shannon_Flekkefjord]

from southern Norway.. Flight to Madrid ordered!

.. We've been walking our icy roads with packs and hiking boots this winter...and in the dark evenings we've read blogs and guides... hemos practicado el español.. But now it's really happening! We've ordered our flights and a couple days stay in Leon.
We arrive on the 21th of June and will join in to celebrate mid-summer's and San Juan before grabbing the pack and staff and starting off on the Camino a Santiago June 24th. We have three weeks (til July 12th) and plan to go to Finesterre also.

Will we see any of you in Leon?? Or on the Camino??