How much Camiño is too much?

[Willdtrout]

Just curious if you think there is a point where Camiño can be unhealthy either physically or mentally? Or it can become to much with to much time or effort committed to it

I recognize it will be different for everyone. I haven’t found my limit yet. Just back from a long Camiño and planning another next winter. Thinking maybe I need more ways to find joy in life instead of using memories and future planning. Maybe I need more of a live in the moment approach.

And truthfully my body is a little wrecked from walking. Three weeks since I stopped walking and still aches and pains. As a daily yoga practitioner walking drastically effected my body. It will be a long time before I get my yoga strength and flexibility back.

Mentally the walk effected me too. I am much more peaceful and hide behind a smile People don’t understand but surprisingly I am much less tolerant of bad action or dumb behavior so I’m quicker to frustration, disbelief or even anger. I shake my head a lot.

Despite this though I don’t think I’ve found my limit and happily research next winters routes, new gear and how I can apply lessons from last Camiño to the next one. And thoughts of Camiño are frequently on my mind and I happily carry my Camiño smile even when dealing with the aches and pains, decreased flexibility, and increased frustration

 

[trecile]

I'm currently on my 7th Camino. (And that's nothing compared to some here) I'll let you know when I find my limit.

 

[henrythedog]

Just curious if you think there is a point where Camiño can be unhealthy either physically or mentally? Or it can become to much with to much time or effort committed to it

I recognize it will be different for everyone. I haven’t found my limit yet. Just back from a long Camiño and planning another next winter. Thinking maybe I need more ways to find joy in life instead of using memories and future planning. Maybe I need more of a live in the moment approach.

And truthfully my body is a little wrecked from walking. Three weeks since I stopped walking and still aches and pains. As a daily yoga practitioner walking drastically effected my body. It will be a long time before I get my yoga strength and flexibility back.

Mentally the walk effected me too. I am much more peaceful and hide behind a smile People don’t understand but surprisingly I am much less tolerant of bad action or dumb behavior so I’m quicker to frustration, disbelief or even anger. I shake my head a lot.

Despite this though I don’t think I’ve found my limit and happily research next winters routes, new gear and how I can apply lessons from last Camiño to the next one. And thoughts of Camiño are frequently on my mind and I happily carry my Camiño smile even when dealing with the aches and pains, decreased flexibility, and increased frustration

I’m on a par with Trecile and my enthusiasm (albeit not for the Frances) is still increasing. There are more routes than I’ve time to do; many less crowded and commercialised; and (apart from regretting time away from Mrs HtD and Henry the (actual) dog); it’s where I choose to spend my time.

 

[K_Lynn]

Mentally the walk effected me too. I am much more peaceful and hide behind a smile People don’t understand but surprisingly I am much less tolerant of bad action or dumb behavior so I’m quicker to frustration, disbelief or even anger. I shake my head a lot.

My aches and pains disappeared as soon as I stopped walking and I was quite happy about that.

I noticed afterwards that I had left my life-long rage and annoyance somewhere along the way and picked up disappointment instead.

Camino changes you. It doesn't make you a better person, but it does change you!

 

[Luka]

I walked from Burgundy to Santiago back in 2015. It took me about 2,5 months. Loved it. My plan was to continue on to Finisterre, but after arrival in Santiago it felt like I had reached my destination. And to my own surprise I didn't fancy the idea of walking another 4/5 days. All of a sudden I was also fed up with albergue life. The smells, the snorers, the bunks, waiting for the shower, noisy early risers, toilet paper that somehow always gets finished... I just had enough.

But of course I started planning my next Camino after I got home.

 

[LTfit]

I'm not the right one to ask about reaching a limit, this June I'll be starting my 20th+ Camino .

I've also been fortunate enough to recover quickly (for an almost 67 year old) and haven't yet experienced aches and pains. What I can concur with is that walking affects my Ashtanga yoga practice. It definitely takes a back seat while walking, in fact it's pretty much non-existent which means that I need a couple of weeks to get back to sufficient upper body strength to tackle all the Chaturangas and flexibility to get into a lotus pose. I took my yoga mat once but didn't use it. I tend to walk long stages and just don't feel the need to do any yoga.

Part of the reason that I haven't reached a limit is because I've walked so many different routes. Next month I'll be adding the Olvidado and Invierno which will be totally different from any of my previous walks.

 

[Alister M]

I have just done my 11th Camino, the Via Augusta/Via de la Plata combo of about 1170km. My longest is 1720 from Le Puy to Finisterre, Muxia and back to Santiago. In August this year it will be 2000km from Geneva. Next year I plan a 3500km hike. There is no such thing as too much. It’s just a matter of feeding an obsession!

 

[Pathfinder075]

Limits are down to the individual. You set your limits (or don't).

My first year of walking I did about 180km, second year over 200km, this year I plan to go over 1000km (over 7 weeks). Only you know what you are capable of, but also don't be scared to push the boundaries. As someone I know says, "Life starts at the edge of your comfort zone". It's not untrue.

My first Camino I had barely left the UK in maybe 10 years and I went out to Spain having never done any real trekking abroad and walked (in parts) 180km, albeit I had a get out of jail card in that my parents were cycling the Camino at the same time and we often met up. but that was pretty far outside my comfort zone. Second year i did it again. This time there was less apprehension and less caring about compostellas (since I had gotten one the year before). So I went to places that were interesting and explored (Monforte de Limos, the Ourense leg of VdlP, also crossed from Astortga to Ponferrada again because it's just a fun section with brilliant views, the Archeological dig at Villa Romana La Olmeda which is seriously worth a visit when you get near Sahagun).

This year I am going all in. Boat to Santander, bus to Irun, Baztan to Pamplona, CF to Leon, Salvador to Oviedo, Primitivo back to CF, then on to Muxia and cash out my credencial. Then I will go back to Ourense and complete the second Camino's Ourense stage which I didn't finish in 2017 due to bed bugs and spending time in hospital. If I have any time left I might walk the Ingles as well.

Your Camino, your rules.

 

[darealdeal77]

Hi, I cannot answer you as an advanced Camino walker, because I have only done it once, but I can offer you my opinion as an Athlete, and a person suffering from PTSD. Something like Camino, the Appalachian Trail, the PCT or any long distance walk/hike will give your body and mind such a rush that no matter how much pain you have it pushes you to continue and achieve your goal.
The endorphins the body crave like a drug is what keeps you wanting more. As for the release of anger, anxiety and depression while you walk or exercise is a proven fact. I cannot live without hiking or exercising, is part of my life, is the only thing that keeps me sane. When I have my bouts with PTSD I can get very angry or feel like I’m trapped in a cage, I workout and/or strap my backpack and go hiking for a week at a time.
These feelings you have to continue walking is a need, and as we get older in life we will need to balance between the body pains, and the mind needs. PTSD will never go away, so I know I must continue to fight the beast, and that means walking to soothe my mind. I don’t think there’s a time limit! You do what is right for you! Just need to find your balance. BUEN CAMINO

 

[MARSKA]

Just a thought from one who hasn't walked a Camino - yet! I was on a thru-hiking jag for awhile- which I loved. I had to ask myself these questions - was I taking care of those relationships important to me and to the other person(s)? Was I meeting my financial responsibilities? Was I being responsible with career issues? These questions and the answers helped me but that doesn't mean they will help you.

I also strongly agree with dareal....there are very positive mental effects to walking / exercise but of course those benefits can be induced in ways other than a Camino walk.

In the end only you can answer your question and a great question it is.
May the road rise up to meet you!

 

[Globetrottingpilgrim2010]

Just curious if you think there is a point where Camiño can be unhealthy either physically or mentally? Or it can become to much with to much time or effort committed to it

I recognize it will be different for everyone. I haven’t found my limit yet. Just back from a long Camiño and planning another next winter. Thinking maybe I need more ways to find joy in life instead of using memories and future planning. Maybe I need more of a live in the moment approach.

And truthfully my body is a little wrecked from walking. Three weeks since I stopped walking and still aches and pains. As a daily yoga practitioner walking drastically effected my body. It will be a long time before I get my yoga strength and flexibility back.

Mentally the walk effected me too. I am much more peaceful and hide behind a smile People don’t understand but surprisingly I am much less tolerant of bad action or dumb behavior so I’m quicker to frustration, disbelief or even anger. I shake my head a lot.

Despite this though I don’t think I’ve found my limit and happily research next winters routes, new gear and how I can apply lessons from last Camiño to the next one. And thoughts of Camiño are frequently on my mind and I happily carry my Camiño smile even when dealing with the aches and pains, decreased flexibility, and increased frustration

This is a very insightful question you ask. I have found myself in the same mindset over the years as I was a long distance walker/hiker/world traveler to the extreme. I have five Compostelas under my belt and have literally spent years continuously traveling the world (living out of a backpack). The Caminos however, were a place where I kept coming back to as I certainly loved the concept of walking from town to town and exploring new places every day. However, after many years (of slowly waning enthusiasm and questioning why I’m still walking/traveling), I soon came to realize I was perhaps ‘running from myself.’ I was always searching for something that perhaps existed once, long ago, but was desperate to find once again. Ironically, it took the global pandemic to force me to stop and stay put for a couple of years. During this time I discovered I missed the excessive walking, hiking and travel less and less. Instead, I found other interests, hobbies, simple pleasures and even rekindled friendships that had fallen by the wayside. Of course the memories are wonderful and I’m so grateful for having had the opportunities and experiences over many decades of global journeys, but I now have a new sense of peace and happiness that doesn’t have me searching, planning or running like I once did. The fact that you have posed this question leads me to believe (from personal experience) you may be at that point where you’ve come to that proverbial ‘fork in the road.’ I wish you luck with whatever decisions you make and enjoy wherever life takes you, even if it’s in your own backyard.

 

[Silvermomma]

My aches and pains disappeared as soon as I stopped walking and I was quite happy about that.

I noticed afterwards that I had left my life-long rage and annoyance somewhere along the way and picked up disappointment instead.

Camino changes you. It doesn't make you a better person, but it does change you!

This is so interesting. Would you be able to elaborate a bit on the rage and disappointment? I’m about to enter the square (2nd time), and am also working on these emotions. OK if you can’t do that here. Thank you.

 

[Silvermomma]

Solvitur ambulando.
Maybe we walk until we have solved it all..

 

[Willdtrout]

Solvitur ambulando.
Maybe we walk until we have solved it all..

This may explain what I’m thinking!

 

[Willdtrout]

This is so interesting. Would you be able to elaborate a bit on the rage and disappointment? I’m about to enter the square (2nd time), and am also working on these emotions. OK if you can’t do that here. Thank you.

Rage is to strong of a word… mostly it’s tolerance. People do something and I let it affect me and want to call them out on it. Used to be I’d say whatever and move on not letting it influence my mood. I’m fairly new off Camiño… I think this will fade

 

[Willdtrout]

Many good replies here and I love the discussion around it. I didn’t mean to make it so personal… it just came out that way.

I think there are many types of addiction. We tend to think of them as bad but I’ve been ‘addicted’ to things that are healthy… Mountain biking and fly fishing being the obvious… now it may be Camiño?

I asked this question because I’m just back from a long Camiño and it was a magical spiritual experience. I wanted to keep going but quit when you all shut me down when I asked about implications of overstaying Schengen requirements.

I cried the day I realized I had to leave.

Now I’m home and planning the next one. Maybe going bigger. What scares me is that I’m hoping to recreate what I had and don’t think that’s possible. The magic won’t be gone but it will be different.

On this walk I met I guy who started walking in Prague three years before and now he is walking back. In that time he spent three nights in albergues. Mostly he camped with his dog. I met a Ukrainian guy who fled the war and had been walking a year. Met a Spanish guy who said he had been walking for eight years. So many different people all with a different Camiño.

All are good but can it be to much?

Part of me thinks that I should hold back on another Camiño. Marinate in this one for a while. But I miss it and it is calling me back. Winter is my free time so I have the summer to think on it. Not sure what I’ll decide but suspect my feet will be tromping across Spain soon and my eyes will search for yellow arrows.

I hope to meet you there

 

[K_Lynn]

This is so interesting. Would you be able to elaborate a bit on the rage and disappointment? I’m about to enter the square (2nd time), and am also working on these emotions. OK if you can’t do that here. Thank you.

I'm not (or wasn't) an angry person(as in always angry), but I did get angry or at least annoyed. Since Camino I find that the things that would have made me angry now leave me feeling disappointed with whomever or whatever it is. Some might call that emotionally maturing lol.

I'm curious as to what will change when I walk again in the autumn.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Maybe it's the Camino, maybe my age (79 in July). My only frustration these days on the Camino is arriving at the bar/cafe that has just run out of tortilla espanol. Eagerly planning No. 10 with my wife and a neighbor this fall, back to share the Frances. Buen Camino

 

[Al the optimist]

Like everything in life, it is an individual thing as testified above. Now in my 12th Camino year. Even after completing 16 I am still enjoying myself walking them (though not every minute of every day).
Counting down again for the next 11 days, having left off the 17th at Astorga a month ago.
Some people are alcohics. Maybe I am a Caminoholic?

 

[Richard Smith]

The camino is great and life-changing (at least in my opinion) but it is not your entire life.
Responsibilities for children, elder parents, partners, and the need to manage finances, commitments and those 'accidents' such as illness or misfortune are also part of life.
Mix these ingredients and I wish that they blend well for you.
But our motto before we did the CF was "lets do this before our bits fall off". Age and infirmity (or the alternative) is in everyone's future, and free periods without other over-riding responsibilities are rare.
Do it when you can!

 

[Flatlander]

Just curious if you think there is a point where Camiño can be unhealthy either physically or mentally?

I would imagine the answer to that is a resounding yes. Anything, no matter how healthy or calming (or any other positive descriptions) has the potential to be detrimental to the "big picture" of our life.
Don't they say everything in moderation?

Or it can become to much with to much time or effort committed to it

Well, yes and probably moreso for a lot of people on this forum because it involves international travel, a lot of logistics and some walks are timed in months.

I found my Camino (Frances) to be a wonderful experience and a part of that was to be following in the footsteps of others.
But that was only a part. There were other elements to the journey too and I admit to some bemusement that there is a focus on a route when people contemplate another Camino as if only a Camino can serve up the "Camino experience". I see little commonality between say parts of the CF and some of the more remote Caminos.
The Camino is a treasure chest, heavy, rigid, but far too cumbersome to be carried around in normal life.

My preferred image is of a lamp that emits a special light that allows me to see things, normal things, differently. It's so small it is with me everywhere, allowing me to swap from "normal" to "special" at will.

My suggestion, if you are having doubts about the feasibility, advisability or whateverability of doing another Camino is to ask yourself what the Camino was to you? What was your "Camino Experience"?
(I always find that writing things down can be a help)
Then look closer to home for places or activities that might be able to help achieve the same experiences.
Perhaps it was the walking?
Or the sense of belonging to a group?
Or the nature?
Or the Spiritual and Religious elements?
The freedom?
The different routine?
The vino tinto?

Maybe you don't see what you are looking for so why not start what you are looking for?

You may find, perhaps like your first Camino, that it is a daunting idea, full of risk, danger and self doubt.
You may find that things don't run smoothly or to plan.
These things didn't stop you the first time so no reason to stop you now.

 

[Pathfinder075]

On this walk I met I guy who started walking in Prague three years before and now he is walking back. In that time he spent three nights in albergues. Mostly he camped with his dog. I met a Ukrainian guy who fled the war and had been walking a year. Met a Spanish guy who said he had been walking for eight years. So many different people all with a different Camiño.

Weirdly I met a guy walking with a dog on my first Camino back in 2016. He'd packed his life up and started walking from somewhere in Germany after he was made redundant. He was camping all the way as albergues don't tend to be tolerant to people with dogs or horses. Mostly staying in a mixture of campsites and church graveyards/cloisters. He said most priests were ok with it as long as he stayed out of sight and broke camp fairly early. He was going to Santiago, then heading south for winter, possibly into Morocco, but he said he might head for Rome. I sometimes wonder where he went after Sahagun and whether he and his dog made it to Morocco. He seemed to have the wandering bug and from talking to him, he had the funds to stay on the road for many years if he wanted, plus no real ties to people.

I had to ask myself these questions - was I taking care of those relationships important to me and to the other person(s)? Was I meeting my financial responsibilities? Was I being responsible with career issues?

All valid questions. But Camino is as long or as short as you want it to be. if you do a standard CF, it's about 6-7 weeks if you walk slowly, maybe a month if you walk rapidly. It depends on you.

Of course it also helps if you are single, have no financial responsibilities and have a non existent career (or work freelance). But not everyone has that luxury.

 

[MARSKA]

I'd say no one.

 

[rorerich]

Ohhhhh that is a dangerous question! I just know that I'm not done yet - and yes I came home last time with a significant stress injury. Soon I am off again!

 

[Robo]

Interesting question. I'm still processing it a bit.

Just flying home from 60 days on Camino.

Previous have been 10 - 40 days.

I think 60 days was too long for me.
No injuries or anything.
Just felt that i had achived what i wanted this time, by about 40 days.

Future Caminos might be 14-21 days I think.

Will there be future Caminos? Of course!
But there are other things I want to do.

 

[Stivandrer]

Some might say they do not understand the Question !??! ( the OP)

( ie you are asking the choir!)

 

[Karl Oz]

First camino in 2013 and most recent in 2019. I can't wait to get back out there!

 

[Decsop]

I'm not the right one to ask about reaching a limit, this June I'll be starting my 20th+ Camino .

I've also been fortunate enough to recover quickly (for an almost 67 year old) and haven't yet experienced aches and pains. What I can concur with is that walking affects my Ashtanga yoga practice. It definitely takes a back seat while walking, in fact it's pretty much non-existent which means that I need a couple of weeks to get back to sufficient upper body strength to tackle all the Chaturangas and flexibility to get into a lotus pose. I took my yoga mat once but didn't use it. I tend to walk long stages and just don't feel the need to do any yoga.

Part of the reason that I haven't reached a limit is because I've walked so many different routes. Next month I'll be adding the Olvidado and Invierno which will be totally different from any of my previous walks.

I may see you along the way! I will be on a bike, departing Bilbao on 20 June, due to arrive in SdC on 3 July, via the Olvidado and Invierno! Really looking forward to it - it looks beautiful (I won't be able to do the particularly mountainous sections, though - too hard on the bike!).

 

[LTfit]

I may see you along the way! I will be on a bike, departing Bilbao on 20 June, due to arrive in SdC on 3 July, via the Olvidado and Invierno! Really looking forward to it - it looks beautiful (I won't be able to do the particularly mountainous sections, though - too hard on the bike!).

@Decsop oh cool! I'll be doing the Invierno after the Olvidado planning to arrive in Santiago on July 11th.

I'm planning on staying in Arija on June 20th but that would be a very long haul for you. Who knows, maybe you'll pass me if I'm not on a mountain stage day. Watch out for a royal blue Osprey backpack.

 

[Heal_to_toe]

Just curious if you think there is a point where Camiño can be unhealthy either physically or mentally? Or it can become to much with to much time or effort committed to it

I recognize it will be different for everyone. I haven’t found my limit yet. Just back from a long Camiño and planning another next winter. Thinking maybe I need more ways to find joy in life instead of using memories and future planning. Maybe I need more of a live in the moment approach.

And truthfully my body is a little wrecked from walking. Three weeks since I stopped walking and still aches and pains. As a daily yoga practitioner walking drastically effected my body. It will be a long time before I get my yoga strength and flexibility back.

Mentally the walk effected me too. I am much more peaceful and hide behind a smile People don’t understand but surprisingly I am much less tolerant of bad action or dumb behavior so I’m quicker to frustration, disbelief or even anger. I shake my head a lot.

Despite this though I don’t think I’ve found my limit and happily research next winters routes, new gear and how I can apply lessons from last Camiño to the next one. And thoughts of Camiño are frequently on my mind and I happily carry my Camiño smile even when dealing with the aches and pains, decreased flexibility, and increased frustration

My personal concern is weight loss. Every Camino I've done, on my return people tell me "you've lost weight.... again!" I am a pescatarian and to be honest, not knowing the full range of Spanish food and only a few words of Spanish, I find it hard work to eat in Spain. I am used to filleted fish but in Spain and Portugal the fish always seems to arrive at the table whole, full of bones, which believe me, is so inefficient to eat and fill you. Rare to find butter and the lump of bread served in bars is normally so hard, it must be yesterday's. So my Camino apprehension is becoming too skinny!

Buen Camino.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Just curious if you think there is a point where Camiño can be unhealthy either physically or mentally?

Yes -- but this is radically variable from one to the next.

There are nevertheless many for whom one, just one in their life is enough, and that's that.

Those who need to walk to Santiago once and once only should stick with that.

---

And I don't think there's either a "point" or "limit" -- my last one was extremely lengthy (5,000K total and 3,000K last year) despite my physical handicap and constant pain ; not to congratulate myself, but rather to point out that what some will do despite all, others not just won't but can't.

There is NO way that I could possibly attempt any Camino in my current state had I not previous experience of several others.

Mentally the walk effected me too. I am much more peaceful and hide behind a smile People don’t understand but surprisingly I am much less tolerant of bad action or dumb behavior so I’m quicker to frustration, disbelief or even anger. I shake my head a lot.

Ah !! Yeah, that's a stage -- walk a longer Camino, and you'll pass it.

Despite this though I don’t think I’ve found my limit and happily research next winters routes, new gear and how I can apply lessons from last Camiño to the next one. And thoughts of Camiño are frequently on my mind and I happily carry my Camiño smile even when dealing with the aches and pains, decreased flexibility, and increased frustration

 

[Robo]

Just curious if you think there is a point where Camiño can be unhealthy either physically or mentally? Or it can become to much with to much time or effort committed to it

I have to confess I had a Forrest Gump moment on my recent Camino.

Thankfully it was near the end of my final day, heading to Muxia, after 60 days on the road.

I just said to myself............. "I think I'll stop walking now".......

And it felt right.