Having concerns with the distances to walk each day

David Tallan · May 30, 2019

bbrSF18 said:
This sounds great! But I have limited days! which is pushing me into more mileage per day! I am very anxious about this. I am training and I am fit. But I feel nervous about the pressure of my limited days to walk--and the mileage I "need" to cover each day. Any and all advice is SO welcome! ))))

The thing to remember is there is no specific place you have to start or length the Camino has to be (except 100 km if you want the Compostela certificate). So, if you have limited days, start closer to Santiago. If you have at least a week you should be able to manage without pushing yourself to walk too far. Many can walk 100 km in five days without too much trouble. If you have more than a week, you can start farther away: O Cebreiro, Ponferrada, Astorga, Leon, Sahagun, Burgos, Logroño, Pamplona, Roncesvalles as some examples.

pjacobi · May 30, 2019

If your time is limited, it is even more important to train at home. This will will allow you to get maximum mileage on the first day.

I suggest starting in St. Jean and walk as far as time permits. Come back to the same spot next year and continue.

-Paul

bbrSF18 · May 31, 2019

David Tallan said:
The thing to remember is there is no specific place you have to start or length the Camino has to be (except 100 km if you want the Compostela certificate). So, if you have limited days, start closer to Santiago. If you have at least a week you should be able to manage without pushing yourself to walk too far. Many can walk 100 km in five days without too much trouble. If you have more than a week, you can start farther away: O Cebreiro, Ponferrada, Astorga, Leon, Sahagun, Burgos, Logroño, Pamplona, Roncesvalles as some examples.

Thank you! The plan right now is to start in Astorga. It is my understanding that the LAST 100k have to be completed in order to get the Compostela. Meaning one would HAVE to walk from at the minimum, Sarria on--without assistance (ie: a taxi or bus), etc. One could not sort of "piecemeal" the 100k ...is that correct??

Anamya · May 31, 2019

bbrSF18 said:
One could not sort of "piecemeal" the 100k ...is that correct??

That is correct The last 100km have to be done without assistance, and in a sequence of days.
Astorga is a lovely place, sounds like a good choice to start.

Deleted member 67185 · May 31, 2019

You will also need to make sure and obtain two stamps per day over that last 100K.

Pilger99 · May 31, 2019

I support the advice to train a bit, e.g. regular 10mile hikes on the weekends. It's not only about getting physical strenght, you also learn about your body, clothes and equipment. The latter you can easily exchange while home but not so easy on the camino.

Anamya said:
The last 100km have to be done without assistance, and in a sequence of days.

Nope, you can have as much assistance as you need! It says the pilgrim needs to walk the last 100km, so only short thinking translates that to no bus or taxi for the last 100km. You still can walk 10km, take the taxi to a hotel and get back the next day by a hotel shuttle/bus/taxi/... . You are allowed to have your backpack transported, you can go to the hospital or a massage meanwhile. There's also no rule about eating, drinking, sleeping and company during these days. You could have a refreshment service on the trail or even a (friends) car could accompany you all the way.
None of that is off-limits, so use what you're allowed to do. It probably feels better to take the least assistance possible, but that's a personal choice. You will know what you need.

David Tallan · May 31, 2019

bbrSF18 said:
Thank you! The plan right now is to start in Astorga. It is my understanding that the LAST 100k have to be completed in order to get the Compostela. Meaning one would HAVE to walk from at the minimum, Sarria on--without assistance (ie: a taxi or bus), etc. One could not sort of "piecemeal" the 100k ...is that correct??

You are correct that it is only the final kilometers, consecutive and connected to Santiago de Compostela that count. No taxis or buses to carry you for portions of the last 100 km of the Camino (although you could take them to get to a hotel and then back to where you left off. 100 km if you walk. 200 if you have the assistance of a bicycle or horse to carry you along the Camino. If you are walking the Camino Frances, Sarria is a place many people start to be sure of having the minimum 100. You also cannot combine the walking and bicycling within the last stretch right before Santiago. So while it is okay to walk the whole thing and bicycle the meseta or from O Cebreiro to Triacastela, it isn't okay to bicycle from Pamplona to Portomarin and walk from Portomarin to Santiago. Because then you would have neither walked the last 100 km nor bicycled the last 200 km. Crazy, I know, but I don't make the rules.

bbrSF18 · May 31, 2019

davebugg said:
You will also need to make sure and obtain two stamps per day over that last 100K.

YES! Really excited about that part! I understand that the albergues and cafés etc. Will give stamps?

Anamya · May 31, 2019

Pilger99 said:
Nope, you can have as much assistance as you need! It says the pilgrim needs to walk the last 100km, so only short thinking translates that to no bus or taxi for the last 100km. You still can walk 10km, take the taxi to a hotel and get back the next day by a hotel shuttle/bus/taxi/..

My bad, this is what I meant by 'without assistance' in my post, which clearly was not the best choice of words. Like, the 100km have to be walked, not covered by a ride. Getting to accommodation and back is fine.

And it is easy to get 2 stamps per say, every bar, albergue, hotel and church will have them.

Deleted member 67185 · May 31, 2019

bbrSF18 said:
YES! Really excited about that part! I understand that the albergues and cafés etc. Will give stamps?

Basically you can receive a stamp anywhere you purchase food, drinks, at city halls, alburgues AND other lodgings, lemonade stand, etc. You won't have a problem getting a sello along the way.

A lot of folks will get a stamp at their first break of the day in a village or at lunch, and then another at their end of day destination. Of course, if you are wanting to collect sellos along the way you can get as many as you wish

bbrSF18 · May 31, 2019

davebugg said:
Basically you can receive a stamp anywhere you purchase food, drinks, at city halls, alburgues AND other lodgings, lemonade stand, etc. You won't have a problem getting a sello along the way.

A lot of folks will get a stamp at their first break of the day in a village or at lunch, and then another at their end of day destination. Of course, if you are wanting to collect sellos along the way you can get as many as you wish

Excited!!! Now, just send good vibes that this will be a success!

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Having concerns with the distances to walk each day

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