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I totally agree with Sabine! Try not to follow the suggested stages, where the larger amount of Pilgim's choose to stop, but enjoy some of the lovey in-between villages, where you will find smaller attractive Albergues, often run by their owners! Usually a much better experience!SabineP said:By all means it is YOUR Camino and the beauty of it all is that you can walk as long or short days if you want. I personally do not follow the Brierley guide because lots of people choose this option. Result : crowdy and possible rush for beds. I preferred to stop in between stages and had the best experiences in the small villages / hamlets.
Listen to your feet and also to your heart ! If you like to stop after ten k. then that is ok too!
Buen Camino!
And what about Grañon, Tosantos, Acacio & Orietta in Viloria La Rioja, Rabe de las Calzadas (lLibranos Domine), San Saturnino in Ventosa, Albergo Vilares de Orbigo in Vilares de Orbigo, Pequeño Potala in Ruitlan, casa García in Gonzar, casa Domingo in Casanova. Just to name a few of the excepcional Albergues that you Will miss if you follow the recommended stages! Annezilla.kzilla said:Additionally, if you stick to Brierley, you might miss some wonderful albergues like San Bol (my favorite so ) far, or Boadilla (En El Camino). Not to mention the nondescript town of Villatuerta with a wonderful albergue that may not bee there much longer, Casa Magica. There are several others that are between stages and offer wonderful experiences.
riatolken said:I have looked at the guidebooks, and are planning to try and stick to the suggested walking distance per day (Bierkley), but would any of you suggest that you can walk on some of the days more km than was suggested in the guidebook? I do not want to rush, would like to do sightseeing in the late afternoons.
Absolutely! It is so frustrating when you bypass a bar because you have decided to stop at the one in the next village and, when you arrive, the bar is closed.Where the villages were suitably placed on the CF it translated roughly as 'don't pass an open bar'. Stop for a coffee or water wherever you can. Whenever I disregarded this, I found I went for ages before another bar, and my stomach thought my throat had been cut.
Hi Anna! I'm stilll looking for those "lovey" villages and alberques!!!!!!..... enjoy some of the lovey in-between villages, where you will find smaller attractive Albergues
Hi Pigaw,this is your camino. walk as far or as short a stage as you like. the brierley guide is just a guide. it is not a bible for the camino.
i regret i walked all the way from sjpdp to sdc without having any rest days to enjoy sightseeing in some of the beautiful cities/pueblos on my first camino. howver i did take rest days on my second camino.
buen camino.
Hi Pigaw,
After reading your post I changed my ticket to allow a walking time of 38 days instead of 31......hopefully I will be able to include Finisterre in there. But most important is visiting where I am going! Not just walking and walking. Thanks for helping me make my decision!
Rosemary
Thank you so very much and I shall most definitely look you up when I arrive in Santiago! How fun!Hello rosemary,
Having come a long way from the colorado rockies i am happy for you to have some extra days to enjoy the camino frances. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful sceneries. This will also give you time to enjoy walking to finisterre. I hope you will stay in santiago for 2 nights and enjoy santiago and also have the chance to meet your other camino families before going back home to the states.
I hope to see you in santiago as i will be going back to work as a volunteer in my albergue and also helping out in the oficina del peregrino.
Enjoy your camino. And god blessing on you. Contact me if you neeD anymore helps.
Just gets back to doing what YOU are comfortable with
...Where the villages were suitably placed on the CF it translated roughly as 'don't pass an open bar'. Stop for a coffee or water wherever you can...
With a lovely, clean albergue, a pool(!) and peace. Do not walk by! What a luxury to just relax by and in the pool, in a green garden, before dinner!---or Boadilla (En El Camino).
Please do not, with no intended disrespect to the good man himself, follow the Brierley stages. All you do is re-inforce the tour-guided nature of the modern Camino . Help to emphasise the hot-spots and leave the non-head-line villages wondering where all the pilgrims have gone. The next Albuerge at Brierley's stage end is not a target, it hasn't been selected on the quality of its mattresses, plumbing or Caldo de Gallego. It's just there, where Brierley thinks you should stop walking every day.
Every off-stage Albuerge I encountered was a revelation: some wonderful, some less so, but they were never full of puzzled pilgrims comparing Brierley and reality.
To contribute to your original question: start slow, go faster and further when you and your body want to and never listen to the go-faster goblins. There will be a bed, you will find some food: the Camino is not a race.
Could recommend a guide book that you might use for a first time adventure on the cds?
Brierley's guides are quite good - just don't feel compelled to walk strictly to his stages. Sometimes you will want to, eg to stay in Burgos, Leon, Astorga or some other major towns. At other times, there are wonderful places to stay that aren't at Brierley's stage end points.Could recommend a guide book that you might use for a first time adventure on the cds?
Please do not, with no intended disrespect to the good man himself, follow the Brierley stages. All you do is re-inforce the tour-guided nature of the modern Camino . Help to emphasise the hot-spots and leave the non-head-line villages wondering where all the pilgrims have gone. The next Albuerge at Brierley's stage end is not a target, it hasn't been selected on the quality of its mattresses, plumbing or Caldo de Gallego. It's just there, where Brierley thinks you should stop walking every day.
Every off-stage Albuerge I encountered was a revelation: some wonderful, some less so, but they were never full of puzzled pilgrims comparing Brierley and reality.
To contribute to your original question: start slow, go faster and further when you and your body want to and never listen to the go-faster goblins. There will be a bed, you will find some food: the Camino is not a race.
Remember, the definition of average is that half is more and half is less. So that's for the Camino Frances walking population as a whole, not taking into account differences of age, fitness level, or other factors. Please do what feels comfortable for you. It is an unfortunate human tendency to imagine that we are at the center of the bell curve.... 25 KM/day average is pretty much normal.
Tincatinker:
The Brierley guide is based on his Philosophy that the Camino Frances be walked in 33 days. One day for each year Christ walked the Earth. Whether the stages were broken out to accommodate that Philosophical thought or other rational is unknown to me. That said, nowhere in the book, as I recall, does it state other stops or stages are less desirable. The guide does supplies good information on non-suggested stops.
Ultreya,
Joe
Remember, the definition of average is that half is more and half is less. So that's for the Camino Frances walking population as a whole, not taking into account differences of age, fitness level, or other factors. Please do what feels comfortable for you. It is an unfortunate human tendency to imagine that we are at the center of the bell curve.
You could also walk the Camino in 80 days because Buddha lived to 80 or 35 days because Mozart lived to 35.
Tploomis:
I agree with you but I was referring to Brierley's Philosophy stated in his book. My comments were directed at the Brierley guide in regards to daily distances and possibly how he got to his steps. Another guide book writer could have a different thought process as their motivation. Individuals will/should have their own reasons. All, in my opinion, should walk at a pace that suits their personal capabilities.
Ultreya,
Joe
It was clear from your post, Joe, that you were describing Brierley's thought processes, not your own.
My response is my reaction to that part of Brierley's philosophy. I just think that walking the Camino is hard enough without imposing additional, self-imposed, artificial rules on oneself. On the other hand, doing the Camino with an artificial rule guiding one's behavior might also have its own rewards. I'm thinking of one of my walking partners, who set out to walk the entire Camino without underpants. As he got closer to achieving his goal, it became more of an issue, and he began worrying that the rain and cold of O'Cebreiro would defeat him. He persevered however, and was able to get to Santiago and achieve his goal. Part of the fun for him was his own awareness of the ridiculousness of this undertaking. It was nonetheless gratifying. So if somebody wants to walk the Camino in 33 days, for whatever reason, have at it!
A commando Camino. I hope he had a large jar of Vaseline or some other equivalent.
Thank youSandra:
Are you going to bring your Iphone, Ipad or other smartphone device? If so, a guide is unnecessary weight, especially on the Frances. You can easily utilize your device on a variety of sites (Eroski/Gronze) for similar information. Should you be going electronic free, the Brierley guide or some other guide is useful but again not necessary. That said, the daily suggested distances or stops in each guide are just that, suggestions. Listen to your body and stop when it suggests, the Camino will take care of the rest. With the exception of about three stages, there is an Albergue every 6-10 km's or 4-6 miles.
Ultreya,
Joe
I have looked at the guidebooks, and are planning to try and stick to the suggested walking distance per day (Bierkley), but would any of you suggest that you can walk on some of the days more km than was suggested in the guidebook? I do not want to rush, would like to do sightseeing in the late afternoons.
Probably the best advice givenThe guidebook is just that. Only be guided by it. Don't let it rule our experience. I suggest you do what you want each day. My wife and I tried to follow the guidebook but after 7 days made the decision to reduce our daily k's each day to about 15 to 20. This immediately improved our aches and pains and increased our enjoyment. We then also added in 3 to 4 rest days at locations we liked - deciding on that as we arrived. No planning was the order of the day. Everyone's Camino is different apart from the route itself.
I have plotted an average of 13 km per day walking with a four-year-old! If we had more time, I would shorten it a bit...I need to go at a slower pace
Thank you for these suggested albergues!And what about Grañon, Tosantos, Acacio & Orietta in Viloria La Rioja, Rabe de las Calzadas (lLibranos Domine), San Saturnino in Ventosa, Albergo Vilares de Orbigo in Vilares de Orbigo, Pequeño Potala in Ruitlan, casa García in Gonzar, casa Domingo in Casanova. Just to name a few of the excepcional Albergues that you Will miss if you follow the recommended stages! Anne
PS? I am still not sure what is going to happen with Casa Mágica in Villatuerta. A great pity if It has closed.
Can I ask what kind of light shoes? A hiker or just a standard runner?Its completely different for everybody, the main thing is to stick to your own pace and forget about what the guide book says.
I walked from St. Jean to Santiago in 19 days last year. I had a great time and definately experienced the Camino. I had a small backpack and light shoes so was able to walk 50km most days, 65km at most. A lot of people seem to judge or have a strange idea that those of us that do long distances dont understand the Camino or miss out on so much, this is not true at all. I had the whole Camino to myself almost every afternoon and walked from sun up to sun down every day and experienced every step of the way. I'm a strong walker and a good packer so I stuck to my own pace and comfort zone and walked exactly what I felt like walking every day. My advice is to pack light, you want to walk the Camino not carry the Camino! Stick to whatever makes you happy and feels good, whether its 10km a day or 80km. Good luck!
By all means it is YOUR Camino and the beauty of it all is that you can walk as long or short days if you want. I personally do not follow the Brierley guide because lots of people choose this option. Result : crowdy and possible rush for beds. I preferred to stop in between stages and had the best experiences in the small villages / hamlets.
Listen to your feet and also to your heart ! If you like to stop after ten k. then that is ok too!
Buen Camino!
Please do not, with no intended disrespect to the good man himself, follow the Brierley stages. All you do is re-inforce the tour-guided nature of the modern Camino . Help to emphasise the hot-spots and leave the non-head-line villages wondering where all the pilgrims have gone. The next Albuerge at Brierley's stage end is not a target, it hasn't been selected on the quality of its mattresses, plumbing or Caldo de Gallego. It's just there, where Brierley thinks you should stop walking every day.
Every off-stage Albuerge I encountered was a revelation: some wonderful, some less so, but they were never full of puzzled pilgrims comparing Brierley and reality.
To contribute to your original question: start slow, go faster and further when you and your body want to and never listen to the go-faster goblins. There will be a bed, you will find some food: the Camino is not a race.
Hi, we to are doing this same Camino in mid April. You said you first three days are 11,16 and 20 klms. Could you please tell the three towns/villages you will be staying on these nights.I absolutely LOVE the Brierly guides. I absolutely ignore his suggested 'stages'! I walk as far as I comfortable can. In a fortnight's time I start out on the southern part of the Portuguese camino [from Lisbon to Porto]. My first three days are 11 kms, 16 kms and 20 kms.
I have no wish to repeat last year's horror of developing blisters requiring hospital treatment. If I have to catch a train/bus/thumb a lift I will, rather than repeat that experience.
Brierly usually suggests towns/villages within his 'stages' which offer some form of accommodation. That's very useful.
Many bomberos [Fire Stations] en route offer a floor to sleep on. I could certainly get down on the floor, but would never be able to get up, so that's not an option for me.
So ..... take your time, don't try to walk too far, and, above all, enjoy yourself. It's not a race!
Does this also apply to Camino from Lisboa to Porto, Albergues 6-10 klms or 4-6 miles.Sandra:
Are you going to bring your Iphone, Ipad or other smartphone device? If so, a guide is unnecessary weight, especially on the Frances. You can easily utilize your device on a variety of sites (Eroski/Gronze) for similar information. Should you be going electronic free, the Brierley guide or some other guide is useful but again not necessary. That said, the daily suggested distances or stops in each guide are just that, suggestions. Listen to your body and stop when it suggests, the Camino will take care of the rest. With the exception of about three stages, there is an Albergue every 6-10 km's or 4-6 miles.
Ultreya,
Joe
Jesus also spent 40 days ....pondering lifeTincatinker:
The Brierley guide is based on his Philosophy that the Camino Frances be walked in 33 days. One day for each year Christ walked the Earth. Whether the stages were broken out to accommodate that Philosophical thought or other rational is unknown to me. That said, nowhere in the book, as I recall, does it state other stops or stages as less desirable. The guide does supply good information on non-suggested stops.
Ultreya,
Joe
Jesus spent 40 days & 40 nights in the wilderness....pondering!Tincatinker:
The Brierley guide is based on his Philosophy that the Camino Frances be walked in 33 days. One day for each year Christ walked the Earth. Whether the stages were broken out to accommodate that Philosophical thought or other rational is unknown to me. That said, nowhere in the book, as I recall, does it state other stops or stages as less desirable. The guide does supply good information on non-suggested stops.
Ultreya,
Joe
On the Camino from Lisbon to Porto the possibilities for accomodation have increased since I walked this camino in 2014, but you still have to do a Minimum of 15-20 km before you find the next place to Sleep (in 2014 the distances between albergues and other types of budget accomodation were 30+ km).Does this also apply to Camino from Lisboa to Porto, Albergues 6-10 klms or 4-6 miles.
Greetings, peregrino!Hi, we to are doing this same Camino in mid April. You said you first three days are 11,16 and 20 klms. Could you please tell the three towns/villages you will be staying on these nights.
Does this also apply to Camino from Lisboa to Porto, Albergues 6-10 klms or 4-6 miles.
Jesus also spent 40 days ....pondering life
Jesus spent 40 days & 40 nights in the wilderness....pondering!
Justthinking ......I'm going to follow ....his way!
If we are on the subject of personal bests mine was 112km in 24 hours in Scotland for a sponsored walk. In my early thirties. Oddly enough I didn't feel too keen to do it again the next dayAnd, in my youth, my 65K ones. (I do still remain proud of the 115K I managed once in 2 days, sue me , but that's hardly any sort of sensible benchmark to aim for ; and I was in my 20s)
Respect.If we are on the subject of personal bests mine was 112km in 24 hours in Scotland for a sponsored walk. In my early thirties. Oddly enough I didn't feel too keen to do it again the next day
That is some achievement. I've done 50km in just over seven hours, and just under 60 km in 12 hours, but with a couple of hours break in the middle. I was aiming for 60 km in 12 hours, but didn't factor in that when the track was remeasured, I was about half a lap short!!If we are on the subject of personal bests mine was 112km in 24 hours in Scotland for a sponsored walk. In my early thirties. Oddly enough I didn't feel too keen to do it again the next day
Those "marathon" days can be awesome, but they can also be killers!my last day was 26 *miles*. I did okay, and still walked around Santiago a bit, but I hope I never have to do that again!
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