Is it possible for me to finish the walk in 2-3 weeks?

[superwomant]

Just wondering, from my research, typically people use 30 days. Has anyone done it in 2-3 weeks? if I get up early and walk till late could I possibly finish the walk in 2-3 weeks?

I would have wanted to walk slower since it is a spiritual journey, but I need to make my way down south in the Beginning of June, and I couldn't start the walk until mid May, and I really want to do the entire thing.

 

[CaminoGen]

I'd say no. Assuming you walk for 20 days straight, that would mean walking 40 km everyday and then leaving Santiago the same day you arrive. And that doesn't take into consideration blisters, tendinitis, or a lost bank card...

 

[superwomant]

I'd say no. Assuming you walk for 20 days straight, that would mean walking 40 km everyday and then leaving Santiago the same day you arrive. And that doesn't take into consideration blisters, tendinitis, or a lost bank card...

ok thanks! I changed plan to start at Pamplona because it's easier to get to. Maybe this will help me

 

[supersullivan]

I'm in a slightly similar position with time constraints but even though I'm an experienced hiker and have been training for the past several months I'm still allowing myself 24 days from St Jean to Santiago, 3 days from Santiago to Muxia and 1 day to get back to Santiago and that plan allows me, if I'm struggling with my 34 km a day after week 1, to forego reaching the coast and use those 4 days to lessen my daily distance to 29 km a day to reach Santiago. I'd have to suggest that unless you're an international level athlete and have been training for a long number of months your thoughts of 2 to 3 weeks is an absolute non-starter, I'm expecting to average 7 to 8 hours actual walking time daily so with eating stops etc I'm looking at 9 hours from albergue to albergue most days.

Reconsider your plans and go for a starting point nearer Santiago or I fear you're only setting yourself up for a sufferfest.

Good luck whatever you choose to do.

Seamus

http://supersullivan.wordpress.com/wp-a ... ction=edit

 

[superwomant]

I'm in a slightly similar position with time constraints but even though I'm an experienced hiker and have been training for the past several months I'm still allowing myself 24 days from St Jean to Santiago, 3 days from Santiago to Muxia and 1 day to get back to Santiago and that plan allows me, if I'm struggling with my 34 km a day after week 1, to forego reaching the coast and use those 4 days to lessen my daily distance to 29 km a day to reach Santiago. I'd have to suggest that unless you're an international level athlete and have been training for a long number of months your thoughts of 2 to 3 weeks is an absolute non-starter, I'm expecting to average 7 to 8 hours actual walking time daily so with eating stops etc I'm looking at 9 hours from albergue to albergue most days.

Reconsider your plans and go for a starting point nearer Santiago or I fear you're only setting yourself up for a sufferfest.

Good luck whatever you choose to do.

Seamus

http://supersullivan.wordpress.com/wp-a ... ction=edit

Thanks for the suggestion. Perhaps I will start walking and if I can't make it'll think of another means of transportation towards the end

 

[JabbaPapa]

3 weeks from Roncesvalles is possible IF you're already totally on top of your hiking form, IF you're happy with 40KM a day with the occasional 50-60+ KM stage (remember -- these are NOT KM on the flat, usually, so each KM as the bird flies counts as between 1 & 1.5 KM as the pilgrim hikes), and IF you don't mind not socialising with ANYONE (except the occasional cyclist) for longer than just a few hours.

2 weeks means that you're running, not hiking -- or that you are an olympic-class endurance+speed hiker.

I did it in just over 3 weeks in 1994 from SJPP (48 days total from Paris), and whilst this Journey profoundly changed my life, I could NOT in all charity recommend this sort of punishing pace upon anybody else.

4 weeks from SJPP (plus a little leeway just in case) is reasonable for a healthy pilgrim

 

[superwomant]

3 weeks from Roncesvalles is possible IF you're already totally on top of your hiking form, IF you're happy with 40KM a day with the occasional 50-60+ KM stage (remember -- these are NOT KM on the flat, usually, so each KM as the bird flies counts as between 1 & 1.5 KM as the pilgrim hikes), and IF you don't mind not socialising with ANYONE (except the occasional cyclist) for longer than just a few hours.

2 weeks means that you're running, not hiking -- or that you are an olympic-class endurance+speed hiker.

I did it in just over 3 weeks in 1994 from SJPP (48 days total from Paris), and whilst this Journey profoundly changed my life, I could NOT in all charity recommend this sort of punishing pace upon anybody else.

4 weeks from SJPP (plus a little leeway just in case) is reasonable for a healthy pilgrim

Thanks! I plan to start from Pamplona, and maybe substitute with other transportation on my way.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Thanks! I plan to start from Pamplona, and maybe substitute with other transportation on my way.

Pamplona is, generally speaking, a far better all-round starting point than SJPP

3 weeks from Pamplona should be fine, but get yourself some proper footwear !!!

 

[Kanga]

This guy walked from SJPDP to Santiago in 20 days and then wrote a book. His website is
http://www.caminomyway.com

 

[Anniesantiago]

I hope you aren't offended, but my question would be 'What's the point?'

You will be moving too fast to see the countryside. You will be too exhausted at the end of each 40k day to enjoy the company of your fellow pilgrims. You will not have time to see the incredible art or even to enjoy the good food.

For me, it seems you'd be just as well off to run around your local college track for 2 weeks. Why spend the money to visit Spain if you won't have time to enjoy it?

Instead, why not go at a slower pace and do the Camino in sections? Walk from Sarria to Santiago, get your Compostela, then return another year to pick up the front end?

Or maybe bike the Camino???

 

[Kanga]

I'm with you Annie. Racing down the road is not my thing. But I was just trying to provide accurate information; it is possible, it has been done. Randall's book is a good read, however you feel about his methods.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I had three weeks to walk on the Camino Frances last year, and didn't try and do it all. I started from Pamplona, then after a week I bussed across the Meseta -which I had mixed feelings about missing, but I felt this 'pull' to reach Santiago by foot again. I then walked from Hospital de Orbigo to Santiago.

There's a reason why most people take 30-40 days- it is quite far. And while you might manage a couple of 40km days, chances are your body will then start to complain about too much of that treatment and give you blisters or tendonitis and bring you to a bit of a standstill. If you have limited time, my advice would be to start walking, listen to your body, and then make decisions about how much of the Camino you will walk.
Margaret

 

[JabbaPapa]

And while you might manage a couple of 40km days

Not everyone is in the same boat, Margaret -- having disproportionately long legs, 40KM was a day's normal hike for me ; and I'd manage a few 65KM ones...

In 2005 though, my average (non-solo) day was instead 30 or 35 ; not from any limitation of my own, but because the friend I walked most of the Spanish part with was uncomfortable with (not incapable of) daily 40KM treks (though he did do ONE 50 KM stage -- his own legs not being particularly short either).

(though he was left far behind when two other friends and I decided to do one day of "serious" walking -- they were both marginally stronger hikers than me BTW, and very well suited to each other's company on the Camino ; though of course we did not push any further than he and our other (very slow but very brave) friend could reach, at whatever time in late afternoon)

(VERY strange thing happened at the end of the Way, though, strange, odd, bizarre occurrences provided that my friend and I PLUS the other group of three all five of us ended up finishing the Camino solo, including one by ambulance (nothing serious) --- all worked out strangely well, though, as my good friend finished at his own 100% preferred pace, our very slow and very brave friend ditto, ambulance girl was oddly pleased with the strange manner of her own arrival (as she had been strangely nervous about "finishing"), Guy was the wise old man among the five of us anyway, and as for myself -- Santiago gave me a glorious 65 KM final solo hike to the Cathedral )

---

Bottom line, there really is no universal rule as to how far is a good daily distance, nor how far an exceptionally long day's trek might be, nor how long it will take to walk the Camino.

There is NO meaningful difference between a pilgrim who can do 20-25 KM / day, and another who can do ~40KM. The ONLY important thing is that both will reach Santiago, in their own good time.

The only real issue is that a 25KM/day pilgrim and a 40 KM/day one may frustrate each other as walking companions.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

No there is no universal rule Jabba, but I think as a regular 40km walker you would be an exception. Mostly the people I met who tried too many long days ended up having foot/leg problems and had to rest or even quietly quit... I am just concerned that superwomant might have an unrealistic idea about what is possible - there are reasons most people take at least 30 days to walk.
Margaret

 

[JabbaPapa]

No there is no universal rule Jabba, but I think as a regular 40km walker you would be an exception. Mostly the people I met who tried too many long days ended up having foot/leg problems and had to rest or even quietly quit... I am just concerned that superwomant might have an unrealistic idea about what is possible - there are reasons most people take at least 30 days to walk.

I agree with you Margaret, 100%.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I can do 80 km. :wink:

 

[grayland]

I can do 80 km. :wink:

An hour?? :shock:

 

[alansykes]

I made the mistake of doing the 1000kms of the VdlP from Seville in 29 days a couple of years ago and it was far too quick. Last year I spent 36 days on the same route and had a much better trip, with time to enjoy the splendours of Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca, Zamora and many others, not to mention the staggeringly lovely countryside. I'm sure the same would apply to the Francés.

 

[NicoZ]

And while you might manage a couple of 40km days

Not everyone is in the same boat, Margaret -- having disproportionately long legs, 40KM was a day's normal hike for me ; and I'd manage a few 65KM ones...
.

The sort of people that can do that aren't the ones asking if it's possible.

It's a big red flag when somebody asks questions like this. It implies they've never tried anything even close.

I consider 15km an easy after breakfast stroll. I doubt I'll have much trouble on level ground doing 30km by lunch. Some days doing closer to 40km before stopping. Even so I'm fully planning full rest days. So my average per day won't be much higher then somebody walking every day at a slower pace.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The sort of people that can do that aren't the ones asking if it's possible.

Correct

 

[Phillypilgrim]

After one month of training, I have decided it will most probably take me 66 days!! I think I will split each Brierley stage in half, stay wherever I can and take it all in at a snail's pace. I am fortunate to have the time & supportive (if somewhat bewildered) husband. I guess I will miss out on some of the pilgrim "bonding" but, my pace is my pace.