- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 2023: Via Francigena, Lucca to Rome
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I'm wondering what people's experiences were who did this same route. Was it too much, i.e., were you ready to be finished by the time you cross the Pyrenees? Or, alternatively, do you find that you had settled into a groove by the time you entered Spain?
I plan to walk most of the LePuy route with 2 friends in June 2018. Your post makes me very excited to start the planning process!I have also walked both routes, but not in one go. I walked the Frances first, and the LePuy route the following year. The main thing I would say is be prepared for a *major* culture shock after St. Jean. LePuy is kind of "we happy few" and the Frances is…not. I loved both but they are very very different. Different countries, different languages, different food, and very different walking companions. On the LePuy "you walk with the French", and on the Frances "you walk with the world". For what it's worth I walked last year (Norte) with a pilgrim named Franco who has done 27 caminos and he says LePuy was his favorite of them all. "Magnifico!" (He is Italian). Also, be prepared to get blank looks when you try to talk to people about your journey from LePuy to SJPDP. Most will not have heard of it as most folks you encounter are doing the Frances as a first-and-only thing. I am so jealous, both are indeed magnifique and magnifico. Truly. To do both at once will be the trip of a lifetime. Bonne route and buen camino.
I had to delay my Camino for a year, but still have my heart and mind set on it for 2017. And I have my heart, if not my mind, set on starting in Le Puy. I go back and forth on whether to attempt the Via Podiensis + the Camino Francés, or to just choose one. Both look so amazing, and yet so different.
I'm wondering what people's experiences were who did this same route. Was it too much, i.e., were you ready to be finished by the time you cross the Pyrenees? Or, alternatively, do you find that you had settled into a groove by the time you entered Spain?
I had to delay my Camino for a year, but still have my heart and mind set on it for 2017. And I have my heart, if not my mind, set on starting in Le Puy. I go back and forth on whether to attempt the Via Podiensis + the Camino Francés, or to just choose one. Both look so amazing, and yet so different.
I'm wondering what people's experiences were who did this same route. Was it too much, i.e., were you ready to be finished by the time you cross the Pyrenees? Or, alternatively, do you find that you had settled into a groove by the time you entered Spain?
If in doubt, I always recommend the Camino Francés first, particularly if you are going because something is calling you, something more than a desire for a holiday and a long walk.
But if you rush it you will probably end up injured, take your time - it's a long way, a camino is really a little life and you should live it at the pace that suits you. And if you get half way and it seems too much to go another 5 or 6 weeks, you can always stop and come back next year to do Part 2 - no shame in that, it's your camino (and your life).
The main thing I would say is be prepared for a *major* culture shock after St. Jean. LePuy is kind of "we happy few" and the Frances is…not. I loved both but they are very very different. Different countries, different languages, different food, and very different walking companions. On the LePuy "you walk with the French", and on the Frances "you walk with the world".
Having said that - I do understand that for most people the desire to reach Santiago is paramount. And my husband hates churches! But loves car factories, which I don't get at all.
I just confirmed with my boss - I'm on for a mid-August departure!!!
I like long lazy lunches
Hi Kanya,@MichaelC welcome back to the forum. 75 days with an 8 day cushion will indeed give you plenty of time to walk the whole route from Le Puy, taking your time and looking at things along the way. Don't walk past! We all have a tendency to put our heads down on the first Camino, but it is a shame not to see the wonders that you pass. For instance, on the Le Puy, you may want to consider taking a day off at Figeac and taking the train up to Rocamadour and back, or walking the Celé Valley route, looking at the cave paintings at Pech Merle and seeing Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. For the Camino Francés I cannot recommend highly enough to download onto your smartphone or kindle a copy of "The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: the complete cultural handbook" by Gitlitz and Davidson - not a book to read beforehand, but to dip into each day as you walk, so that you can read about the places you are going through, the legends and history, what to see inside Burgos Cathedral, how not to miss the retablo inside the church in Navarette, - all marvellous stuff that many people miss.
Having said that - I do understand that for most people the desire to reach Santiago is paramount. And my husband hates churches! But loves car factories, which I don't get at all.
Hi Kanya,
I am having new thoughts of extending my walk to start from Le Puy. I have 10 weeks from mid August, flying in/ out regional Queensland. First walk and not wanting to be under pressure time wise, Do you feel 70 days would be a comfortable length of time for walk? I would need to squeeze some days for flight travel as well. Any ideas for quickest flight paths/ arrival cities out of Brisbane welcome. Thank Gail
g’day Michael ... and neither can I! Am sure it is do-able but hard work methinks ... I am just planning this section of my walk now [last night in fact] and looking at longer days but still absolute max. of 23 or 24kms ... there is still some challenging topography in these here parts! Can you work-in an extra day and bring these numbers back a touch? In the interests of your feet and legs? I guess it does depend on how fit you are ...
Hi Michael! The Via Podiensis and Camino Frances is a great combination. France and Spain are both beautiful but totally different! And you will be very fit by the time you tackle the Pyrenees! No it wasn't too much as long as you don't rush. Take your time and enjoy! Do both if you have the time, you will not be disappointed!
Bon Chemin/Buen Camino!
Davey
Thank you how many days do you plan this walk to take please?
I need a power point each night for my sleep apnoea machine, would you foresee any issues? Much appreciated
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