Hello, my first walk

[Grandma-Annie]

Hello walkers, I'm planning my first Camino de Santiago walk, (if only I had known about this walk a few years ago) as I have arthritis in my hip I feel I can't do the routes with steep, high hill climbs. Please give me your knowledge and advice, is there a better way than the one I have concocted?

I've read the book A Pilgrims Guide to the Camino de Santiago, I feel I can only walk the listed route 30 through 33 (this year, ever the optimistic!). My plan is to fly to Leon and enjoy a couple of days just wondering around, hopefully meeting some walkers and listen to their stories. From Leon I plan on taking a train towards Santiago. Can anyone tell me how far I can take the train? I want to start the walk from Portomarin. Your advice is most well come, this first time walker is determined to walk as many miles as her tired body will allow. Thanks guys.

 

[quietwun]

Hi GA!

I will leave specifics to those with experience, but wanted to wish you well. There are many of us whose Caminos will bear little resemblance to any distances or stages you read about.

Ours are probably just as interesting, life changing and challenging. Your Camino, your way. Hopefully you will get some good insight and ideas from those who know the path intimately and can help you find the approach best for you.

Lynda

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You can get a bus from Sarria to Portomarin. You can get trains or buses to Sarria through Lugo from many points.



One of the most sustained climbs on the Camino is out of Portomarin, so you have not chosen a segment that will be easy on your hip! The final day into Santiago requires a pretty good climb up to the TV station before Monte do Gozo. Actually, there are healthy climbs on all segments except in the meseta, where there is one of the most aerobic climbs of the Camino when leaving Castrojeriz, twenty minutes that seems like two hours, then you descend almost as rapidly.

Be sure you know what your hip can do before you set out. Ten kilometers from nowhere will be the wrong place to discover that you are overmatched by the excursion!

 

[Anniesantiago]

I also suggest you learn to use the public bus and taxi services all along the Camino.
I also suggest the bus over the train in most cases.
The buses in Spain are awesome!
A taxi shouldn't cost you more than 1 to 1.5 euros per kilometer.
Make your deal before getting into the cab.

On some stretches, it may be best to taxi FIRST and then walk into the village of your destination.

Much of the climb out of Portomarin can be avoided by walking on the road FACING the traffic.
I've walked this many times and there is not much traffic at all.
In fact, last year, I think I saw a total of 10 cars the entire stretch.
Just move off the road to let them safely pass.

But the posters are correct.
There are many climbs on most sections of the Camino except the meseta.
So if your goal is simply to walk, you may want to choose a section on the meseta.
If your goal is to get your Compostela, begin from Sarria and take half-stages.
You could actually fly into Santiago and take a bus to Sarria.

I would suggest the following half-stages:

Sarria to Casa Morgade (make a reservation) or Ferrerios (no reservations)
Then to Portomarin (steep steep descent at the very end; then a climb up steep stairs)
Then to Ligonde (nice small albergue no reservations) or Eirexe (reservations in nice guest house)
Then to Palas de Rei
Then to Melide (lots of great albergues and guest houses)
Then to Arzua (there is a climb at the end here - plenty of lodging) or the closer Casteneda (taxi into Arzua next day 6 kilometers)
Then to Arco do Pino (fairly flat walk) (I like Pension Maribel or Pension Arca)
Then either all the way to Santiago (if you're up to it) or stop at Lavacolla or Villamaior and rest for the climb tomorrow morning)

This makes 8 days of walking, splitting up the more difficult days into two.

 

[Grandma-Annie]

I also suggest you learn to use the public bus and taxi services all along the Camino.
I also suggest the bus over the train in most cases.
The buses in Spain are awesome!
A taxi shouldn't cost you more than 1 to 1.5 euros per kilometer.
Make your deal before getting into the cab.

On some stretches, it may be best to taxi FIRST and then walk into the village of your destination.

Much of the climb out of Portomarin can be avoided by walking on the road FACING the traffic.
I've walked this many times and there is not much traffic at all.
In fact, last year, I think I saw a total of 10 cars the entire stretch.
Just move off the road to let them safely pass.

But the posters are correct.
There are many climbs on most sections of the Camino except the meseta.
So if your goal is simply to walk, you may want to choose a section on the meseta.
If your goal is to get your Compostela, begin from Sarria and take half-stages.
You could actually fly into Santiago and take a bus to Sarria.

I would suggest the following half-stages:

Sarria to Casa Morgade (make a reservation) or Ferrerios (no reservations)
Then to Portomarin (steep steep descent at the very end; then a climb up steep stairs)
Then to Ligonde (nice small albergue no reservations) or Eirexe (reservations in nice guest house)
Then to Palas de Rei
Then to Melide (lots of great albergues and guest houses)
Then to Arzua (there is a climb at the end here - plenty of lodging) or the closer Casteneda (taxi into Arzua next day 6 kilometers)
Then to Arco do Pino (fairly flat walk) (I like Pension Maribel or Pension Arca)
Then either all the way to Santiago (if you're up to it) or stop at Lavacolla or Villamaior and rest for the climb tomorrow morning)

This makes 8 days of walking, splitting up the more difficult days into two.

Thank you AnnieSantiago

You have been so helpfull, all your points have been taken on board, I do want to walk as much as possible. Taxi is such a good idea and I will use. Now to learn more Spanish! I will re-read your post and will get back to you if that's OK?

Hay I lived in Portland and Oregon City, a good omen ;p)

 

[Grandma-Annie]

Hi GA!

I will leave specifics to those with experience, but wanted to wish you well. There are many of us whose Caminos will bear little resemblance to any distances or stages you read about.

Ours are probably just as interesting, life changing and challenging. Your Camino, your way. Hopefully you will get some good insight and ideas from those who know the path intimately and can help you find the approach best for you.

Lynda

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Signs along the way. Note the phone number prefix!!

 

[Grandma-Annie]

Thanks for your input, most welcome.

Signs along the way. Note the phone number prefix!!

View attachment 8229

Signs along the way. Note the phone number prefix!!

View attachment 8229

 

[Grandma-Annie]

Thanks for your input, most welcome.

Ha! Ha! I did and thought, this does not look like a good start! Thanks for making me smile ;p)