How long should I take Camino Frances

[travelingtrish]

I know this is a topic already written about but...... I am wondering whether to take 6weeks or 8weeks? I want to have time to stop for a night or two when I feel like it. Plus as I am planning to return to Perth from Barcalona so would like a few nights there. I will turn 70 on the Camino and am not the fittest though I am starting at the Gym next week. So I shall be strolling more than marching.!
Thanks, Trish

 

[Caplen]

I know this is a topic already written about but...... I am wondering whether to take 6weeks or 8weeks? I want to have time to stop for a night or two when I feel like it. Plus as I am planning to return to Perth from Barcalona so would like a few nights there. I will turn 70 on the Camino and am not the fittest though I am starting at the Gym next week. So I shall be strolling more than marching.!
Thanks, Trish

If you have the luxury of time, take the 8 weeks! I was a proud little snail on my Camino Frances, taking the full 2 months - enjoying some short days, some sightseeing/rest days, and it gave me time to walk to Finisterre too. Finisterre is my favorite part of the whole Camino.

You are going to have the coolest 70th birthday ever!

~Adrienne

 

[piogaw]

Hello trish,

Welcome to the forum.

I am assuming you are retired. Since you are coming a long way to europe, i would suggest if you have no time limitation
And no financial restriction do come over for 8 weeks or even more and enjoy your camino and spain. Spain is such a beautiful and wonderful country to exploit.

Take your time on the camino at your own pace, you are goint to be ok. There are many over 70s oldsters walking the caminos, so you are not alone. They are the ones who always make it to santiago without much problems.

Good luck and buen camino. God bless.

 

[wayfarer]

Take the eight weeks and enjoy every moment. It will give you time to explore and have a break in Barcelona. I met plenty in their seventies and a few in their eighties and had trouble keeping up with them.
Have a great Camino.

 

[reg2450]

Take the 8. Apart from a moment or two of home-sickness - which passes - you'll see everything plus some more. I made it a habit to stop in at nearly every bar. I never passed a town without stopping. I woke up at 7 and left at 8am (God forbid). I stopped walking by 3. I read and socialised at night time (my daughter was in bed - no nightlife for me!!) and didn't feel the effects of going to bed late. I never had a blister. I think there were 2 days I was exhausted...
However - a lot of people didn't have the luxury of time, and walked at a faster pace. I missed them when they were gone, but by the Grace of God, I caught up with them at the end, where - nobody was in a hurry.

 

[t2andreo]

The typical time is nominally 35 days (+/-). However, if you want to stay longer along the way, which I strongly encourage, and allowing for travel time, I would say that 6 weeks (42 calendar days) is the minimum time needed. I agree with the folks who suggest a longer time. I spent a week in Santiago de Compostela at the end of May into the first week of June after my Camino. It was time well spent. Eight weeks is not too long, especially if you are coming from afar, like Australia or New Zealand. I recommend taking a couple of days in St, Jean Pied de Port before you start. It is a beautiful little village with a lot to offer. Also, breaking the first day into two by staying at Refuge Orisson is an excellent idea. It will help you form your "Camino Family." But you must book ahead - http://www.refuge-orisson.com/en/.

Similarly, staying an extra day in the larger cities is also worthwhile. There is a LOT of history, architecture and culture along The Way.

Buen Camino!

Tom (from Virginia)

 

[Rosemaryk1]

Take the 8. Apart from a moment or two of home-sickness - which passes - you'll see everything plus some more. I made it a habit to stop in at nearly every bar. I never passed a town without stopping. I woke up at 7 and left at 8am (God forbid). I stopped walking by 3. I read and socialised at night time (my daughter was in bed - no nightlife for me!!) and didn't feel the effects of going to bed late. I never had a blister. I think there were 2 days I was exhausted...
However - a lot of people didn't have the luxury of time, and walked at a faster pace. I missed them when they were gone, but by the Grace of God, I caught up with them at the end, where - nobody was in a hurry.

Hi! You sound like you had a wonderful experience and one I could relate too! How long were you gone?

 

[travelingtrish]

Thanks so much every one. so nice to have my thoughts confirmed. I can now do something about booking my flights. I am semi-retired and still work one night a week to supplement the God awful pension. Hopefully the Ozzy dollar will pick up a bit next year so I can spread the savings a little. Off to the gym now to join up and strengthen the legs up. (though I did make it up that rock wall last year!)

 

[reg2450]

Hi! You sound like you had a wonderful experience and one I could relate too! How long were you gone?

Hello Rosemary, I did have a wonderful experience, and the odd yukky one just to remind me that this wasn't a Luxury Cruise but a pilgrimage. I left SJ in March and got back to France in May before finally coming home to Austalia 8 weeks after leaving. I traveled with my delightful 10 year old daughter, Georgia and we watched our whole world change from naked trees in snow-capped mountains, gusseting wind- chill factors, and up-and-down altitudes (the first mountain is not the LAST mountain) through to the first buds and greenery appearing on the gnarly old grapevines, and light green leaves suddenly changing the landscape and all the way back to hot, dry days with cooling rivers and - my personal favourite just before 'home' - gum trees!!!!! We were so blessed, so blessed, so blessed. Oh God... I'm crying. Take as long as you possibly can ♥ Walk YOUR pilgrimage. Find what you did not know you were seeking. Laugh until you cry. Bless. *sigh*

 

[MendiWalker]

If you´re in a rush to finish it, take the full 8 weeks if not take all the time you can. Enjoy the Camino. Stop wherever you wish, take your photos,enjoy the sights,chat to the locals,try the local food................. It´s the best birthday present you can give yourself.

Buen Camino!

 

[Rosemaryk1]

'home' - gum trees!!!!! We were so blessed, so blessed, so blessed. Oh God... I'm crying. Take as long as you possibly can ♥ Walk YOUR pilgrimage. Find what you did not know you were seeking. Laugh until you cry. Bless. *sigh*[/quote]
Thank you so much for your heartfelt reply! I will walk MY pilgrimage and I am looking forward to finding what I did not know I was looking for!

 

[Rosemaryk1]

If you´re in a rush to finish it, take the full 8 weeks if not take all the time you can. Enjoy the Camino. Stop wherever you wish, take your photos,enjoy the sights,chat to the locals,try the local food................. It´s the best birthday present you can give yourself.

Buen Camino!

I would love to take 8 weeks myself but don't feel comfortable taking that much time off from work. Which is actually my own problem. I am trying to go from St. Jean to Finisterre in that time. What do you think about a staying a day or two at the end for some reflection before jumping on the plane and going home?
Thanks!

 

[jirit]

I know this is a topic already written about but...... I am wondering whether to take 6weeks or 8weeks? I want to have time to stop for a night or two when I feel like it. Plus as I am planning to return to Perth from Barcalona so would like a few nights there. I will turn 70 on the Camino and am not the fittest though I am starting at the Gym next week. So I shall be strolling more than marching.!
Thanks, Trish

Hi Trish

Take your time.

The only restriction you face like most of us, is that you can only be in the euro zone for a max of 90 days. You not indicated when we plan to walk the camino ( spring, summer or fall? ).

You have the luxury of time, so enjoy it and take as long as you desire

 

[travelingtrish]

Well I can take a few weeks off work but money could be the obsticle. What is the '90 day euro zone'? I will have about three thousand dollars, will that be enough if I take 8 weeks.

 

[jirit]

Well I can take a few weeks off work but money could be the obsticle. What is the '90 day euro zone'? I will have about three thousand dollars, will that be enough if I take 8 weeks.

Rough rule of thumb for me has been about 35 euro per day while on the camino. This works to be about 50 Aussie dollars give or take per day.

This does not include places like Barcelona or spending extra time in Santiago.

So 8 weeks is about 56 days or just shy of 3,000 dollars

The 90 day rule per 180 days is the max time allowed in Europe for non EU passport holders. Since you only plan to spend 8 weeks you won't have an issue with it. It is much like the Aussie rule for us canadian folk whereby we can only stay in Australia for a max of 3 months each year (even for those former Aussies like myself )

 

[travelingtrish]

Thanks for that. I shall just have to be very frugal. If I run out of money I shall just have to hide out in a barn somewhere until my flight home!!

 

[nellpilgrim]

Hi Trish,
You'll have a wonderful journey and have time to savour every step-lucky gal!.
On a budgetary note just remember when you're staying 'over' for an extra night in a location you won't be able to stay on in the albergues as the one night rule generally applies. So when you know that you might be going to stay a bit longer in a location (don't get worried about when you make the 'decision to loiter' in a location as that could happen a week a few days, hours or minutes before you arrive... or the morning you're meant to leave!- so try not to get too fussed about 'planning' ) connect/ link up with other pilgrim/s who may be looking for a rest day so you can share the cost of a room in private hostals or pensions etc that don't restrict your number of bed nights. You can move your stuff from albergue to hostal/pension for your second night but to really enjoy the 'lingering' it's nice to have your all your kit in one place for two nights (or longer....!)
Unless walking in Nov-Feb you should generally be able to find someone to share costs and if two or three share that can work our to very 'doable' financially...even if you go (be still my beating heart) for an EN SUITE!
Also encouraging and supporting other pilgrims to discover their 'inner flanneur' is an act of christian charity so you'll be helping others as well as having a blast.......

 

[Kathy F.]

I think your constraints will be financial more than anything else.
One thing I found important as I walked my Camino was to walk at a slower pace in the early stages. You need to get used to the Camino, your equipment, your pace, etc. You do not want blisters or knee problems and the best way to avoid them, I think, is by paying close attention to your physical condition as you walk.
There will be places where the trail is made up of loose rock which may challenge your balance. A light pack and hiking poles, along with taking your time, will make these areas easy to manage. Although uphill is difficult on the lungs, downhill seems to be where more people actually get injured (especially knees). Never feel pressured to walk faster than you feel comfortable.
You may also find that you become part of a "Camino Family," people whose company you enjoy, and will journey at a group pace, which may be different from your solo one.
These things may affect the amount of time you spend on the Camino.
Keep your pack as light as possible - there is almost nothing you can't pick up on the Camino - and get good socks, boots, and hiking poles.
Buen Camino!
Kathy
PS - My blog is about being a solo, older woman on the Camino. Talk about adventures!!

 

[AJ]

I met a young woman in Santiago who did it in 23 days! A week after she arrived there were still people arriving who had walked with her. Yes she averaged 40km per day.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

I met a young woman in Santiago who did it in 23 days! A week after she arrived there were still people arriving who had walked with her. Yes she averaged 40km per day.

That is insane! Sheesh...

 

[MendiWalker]

I met a young woman in Santiago who did it in 23 days! A week after she arrived there were still people arriving who had walked with her. Yes she averaged 40km per day.

Wonder if she had the chance to see, talk & really enjoy the Camino.

Buen Camino!

 

[AJ]

Wonder if she had the chance to see, talk & really enjoy the Camino.

Buen Camino!

Not only did she enjoy it, but she fell in love with a fellow pilgrim as well!

 

[MendiWalker]

Not only did she enjoy it, but she fell in love with a fellow pilgrim as well!

Great!

Buen Camino!

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Not only did she enjoy it, but she fell in love with a fellow pilgrim as well!

Life is FULL of wonders!!! Thx for sharing. Ed

 

[Wanderer64]

In my humble opinion, this is one of the most important issues for would-be Camino pilgrims to consider. OP, heed the wise advice offered so far. Give yourself much more time than you think you'll need, budget permitting.

Factor in issues like weather, possible injuries & recovery time, rest days, etc.... Do not make your Camino a 27 day rush job, like so many I met did. Give the Camino time to slowly wash over you.

This is all especially true if you are flying in from a continent away. Europeans have the luxury of proximity and can easily do their Camino in short segments if they want. For this Canadian, it was a once in a lifetime adventure, Santiago or bust. So I gave myself 7 weeks, with an option to extend if needed. I ended up finishing in 33 days, which left me a few days in Santiago to revel in my accomplishment and lots of time to visit other parts of Spain. I figured I had come this far and not to visit the great museums of Madrid, the Alhambra of Granada and the exciting metropolis of Barcelona would have been decisions I'd regret later in life.

Knowing what I know post-Camino, I would not attempt it again unless I had a minimum of 6 weeks. And the next time, I would take more time and more rest days in completing my Camino.

 

[JabbaPapa]

With that much time, you could even walk from Barcelona, to Zaragoza and from there up along the Ebro river to Logroño and onto the Francès !!!

 

[christer1]

Well i don't really have a deadline and just completed Day 31 and am in Cacabelos. Despite being fit and strong some days I have walked only 8-15kms and enjoyed it far more than the handful of times I have done 30+. I would play it by ear if you can, I will get around to booking a flight home some time in the next week maybe