My camino in three stages

[Barefootgirl]

Hi there, I have a vague notion about doing my first camino and looking for any suggestions or feedback on my idea:

I am a US resident who plans to retire from working full time, in 6 years, in 2019.

I have this idea of dividing my camino into three legs.

The first leg in 2014/2015 timeframe, the second leg in 2016/2017 timeframe and the ending stage after I retire, to celebrate my new life.

I will likely take about 10 days off of vacation time for the first two stages and of course, I can finish the last leg at my own pace.

Any suggestions for routes that might be appropriate for such a plan?

Thank you, BFG

 

[skilsaw]

If you take 2 weeks, (14 days), that will give you 2 days for travel to and 2 days travel from Spain plus 10 days for walking.

The Camino Frances, the most popular route, featured in Martin Sheen's movie "The Way" is 774 kilometers in my guidebood from Santiago.

Stage One.
Begin in St. Jean Pied de Port. The unofficial starting point for the Camino Frances.
One third of the way, Burgos, one of 3 big cities on the route, is 488 kms from Santiago. That's 286 kms from St. Jean Pied de Port. Averaging twenty eight or twenty nine kilometers per day for your first 10 days is a little agressive. I believe 24 or 25 kms per day would be more enjoyable.

Stage two.
Burgos to Leon, the next big city, is 311 kms from Santiago and only 177 kms from Burgos.
Astorga, a beautiful small city is 259 kms from Santiago and 229 kms from Burgos. Astorga is a nice 10 day walk from Burgos for your second stage. You would probably take the bus from Astorga back to Leon to hook up with your link home.

Stage three.
Astorga, only 259 kms from Santiago is a steady 10 day walk to finish.

Rather than be driven by schedules and plane reservations, I suggest walking as far as you want in each stage, and then taking the bus to Burgos, Leon or Astorga. Make your connection home from there.

Not having too tight a schedule allows for flexibility and serendipity along the way. You may meet someone you want to walk with for a few days. Being locked into a schedule removes that opportunity. Or, if you have bad weather, you can take a day off to stay out of the rain, or to dry out.

You have lots of time for planning and dreaming. Enjoy it.
David, Victoria, Canada.