Need help with change in plans

[Sedona2012]

I started my walk in St. Jean on the 19th and will unexpected will meet a friend from the USA. She only has 10 days and I have decided to skip ahead and go to Santiago with her then after my friend leaves Santiago I will return to Burgos and walk the Meseta as I want to experience this and do not return home unroll Nov 1st.

My question is where would you veterans of the Camino advise that we start from with only 10 walking days?

For those of you yet to start your Camino I would like to share that it has been more magnificent than in my dreams. Stay in the smaller villages and if you are able take your time, lift your head up and enjoy every moment.

Thanks!

Bobbie

 

[mspath]

I started my walk in St. Jean on the 19th and will unexpected will meet a friend from the USA. She only has 10 days and I have decided to skip ahead and go to Santiago with her then after my friend leaves Santiago I will return to Burgos and walk the Meseta as I want to experience this and do not return home unroll Nov 1st.

My question is where would you veterans of the Camino advise that we start from with only 10 walking days?

For those of you yet to start your Camino I would like to share that it has been more magnificent than in my dreams. Stay in the smaller villages and if you are able take your time, lift your head up and enjoy every moment.

Thanks!

Bobbie

Bobbie,

The answer to your question depends on how far the two of you are comfortable walking each day in order to reach Santiago. Astorga is approximately 270 km from Santiago and Ponferrada 205 km. Either distance would take you up through the last mountains to the almost mythic O Cebreiro and then down through the greenery of Galicia to Santiago.

Be sure to keep enjoying every moment.

Buen Camino to you both,

Margaret Meredith

 

[merrellj]

Catch the bus from Leon to Cebreiro at the foot of the route up to O Cebreiro and walk from there, just under 150k to Santiago, comfortable enough for you to decide your own pace.

 

[scruffy1]

Bobbie,
The others have already said the important bit, walk what is comfortable for the two of you, 10 days is enough to get over those first aches and pains as the body tries to react to the new and unexpected realities of getting up early and walking all day-you know, what many people do every evening, The Santiago Shuffle. You too have it right concerning the smaller villages, Galicia countryside is magnificant, the towns leave much, very much, to be desired, stop before or go beyond them all. One last word, do not even consider staying at the so-called Pilgrims Pavillion Os Chacotes just before Palas de Rei, a huge cattle barn of a dormitory often jam packed. Any port in a storm? I would rather sleep outside in the rain!

S

 

[tyrrek]

Yes, the others are spot on. Astorga, Ponferrada etc would be great starting points depending on your pace and how much time you want in Santiago afterwards (or travel time).

Enjoy the Meseta! Personally my favourite bit is between Hornillos and Hontanas. It's only a couple of hours walking but it's amazing (for me, anyway!) Buen Camino!

 

[Sedona2012]

Thank you for all the great advice. We started our walk in Astorga and completed it yesterday receiving our Compostela and attending mass. This is been the greatest experience of my life what a rare opportunity to spend weeks upon weeks just walking contemplating meeting people from all over the world in and living in the moment!

Instead of going back to the Miseta I have decided to walk to Fisterra then go to the Portuguese route from Porto back to Santiago. Any and it all advice welcome and needed.