need advise

[mycamino2721]

We have only two weeks to make the pilgrimage, where should we start? Im in my fifties and can walk 5k/hr for maybe 3 hrs before needing a break. It will be a first for us so any and all advise is appreciated

 

[newfydog]

need lots more info----

What time of year?
What route?
Do you consider reaching Santiago this trip important?
Do you want solitude or company?
History or scenery?

Tell us what your ideal two weeks looks like and then we can get into a big debate as to what fits your needs.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

can walk 5k/hr for maybe 3 hrs before needing a break

Take more breaks!

Leon to Santiago takes two weeks. You will have two to three days of relatively easy terrain before your head up the mountains, so it has some built-in conditioning opportunities. It also has a lot of parallel transportation if you fall behind schedule and need to catch a plane.

Go here, and look at the places that you can stop. There are additional hostales and hotels:

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

For detailed information on accommodations, this site is excellent:

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los ... o/frances/

Buen camino.

 

[mycamino2721]

need lots more info----

What time of year?
What route?
Do you consider reaching Santiago this trip important?
Do you want solitude or company?
History or scenery?

Tell us what your ideal two weeks looks like and then we can get into a big debate as to what fits your needs.

My daughter and I plan to go in July 2012. Reaching Santiago is a must. Some solitude for contemplation/prayer , but would like some company at times. I have heard of a cross on the path that people leave a rock symbolizing a prayer for a loved one. I would like to see that. My limitation is that I can only get 2 weeks off from work the most 16 days if I trade some time off with co-workers.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have heard of a cross on the path that people leave a rock symbolizing a prayer for a loved one.

Cruz de Ferro after Foncebadon, about 2-3 days from Astorga.

 

[Nicprinsloo]

Re your questions: I was 57 when I walked the Camino Frances and I did it with ease; The time is midsummer and could be somewhat warm but not extreme in that area; Reaching Santiago is a great achievement and it give a sense of completeness; You will decide whilst walking when you need solitude and peregrinos do consider others; The scenery is magnificent from Astorga - which is possible in 10 to 16 days and will then include the "Cruz de Ferro" and you can include a detour to Samos. I am doing the Via de la Plata from mid April and will meet a friend in Astorga for the last section which is a wonderful part of the Camino Frances. If you are really pushed for time you can start in Sarria in order to qualify for the Compostela in Santiago. Buen Camino!!!

 

[jpflavin1]

I would agree that Astorga would be a good starting place. That would be approximately an 11 day hike. This would give you a little flex time to enjoy a detour or ..........? As far as solitude, that is a different question. July/August is probably the busiest time of the year and this part of the Camino Frances will be more crowded than other sections.

That said, this is a beautiful segment of the Camino. There are a couple of detours you could take for more solitude. There is a short detour from Villafranca to Trabadelo that takes you off the highway through farmland along a canal. Another beautful and scenic option is through Samos from Triacastela.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Re: need advice

Yáll didn´t tell me

Post by johnnyman on 13 Jun 2011, 05:56
OK, I´m three days into my first-ever Camino, and I have a little bone to pick with you veterans. Although I got wonderful advice, tips, helpful hints, etc., from people on this forum, nobody told me how incredibly difficult the Camino actually can be. It is nothing like walking alongside the highway in Texas, where I live. In Texas, it is flat! The terrain here is absolutely brutal, and I have given up hope of walking the entire distance from Pamplona to Santiago.

For everyone that does it with ease, there is one (or maybe fifty) that has a more difficult time. It is best to be realistic. You can do it, but it is not a breeze.

 

[Priscillian]

Maybe I missed something but it seems that an assumption has been made that by "the Camino" you must therefore mean the Camino Frances.
It depends what you want: a pilgrim assembly line (July/August!!!) or a more authentic experience?
I would recommend the Camino Portuguese from Porto every time. Good pilgrim infrastructure (even in July in a Holy Year I had no probs with albergues); enough pilgrims not to be lonely, and lovely people along the way. The beer's cheaper in Portugal too!!!
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com

 

[Priscillian]

Plenty of spots to leave prayers behind too. Last time I was at the Cruz de Hierro, there was more junk than prayers. Try the 12th century church in San Pedro de Rates; or the Sanctuario in Padron or Santiaguino del Monte just behind it (and Google Earth Cruz de Hierro!) :wink: