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Need some new route advice

Sanman

Walking for Nature
Time of past OR future Camino
Le Puy, Francis, Portugal, Norte, West Highland W,
Hi all,

My wife and i are seasoned walkers but a couple joining us are a little less so. We are all seniors in our 60's

We are looking for some interesting new walks - ideally 8-24 days, 100 - 300 km ( we have already walked the Caminos - Francis, Portuguese, Norte, Le Puy, several hikes in the UK, and recently the Stevenson, Tarn Gorge and St Guilhem in France so we need something new

Ideally something not too strenuous - we can still walk 25k with elevation but would like not to "stagger" into each town.

Questions:

- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.

- open to any part of Europe

- in fact open to walks in NZ, Tasmania and Aussie too

Just looking for a nice moderately challenging, reasonably long (+10days ) hike

Thanks!!
 
3rd Edition. Vital content training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
As a suggestion, try the Via Francigena in Italy, perhaps through Tuscany. There is fabulous walking there. One of the best walking days I’ve had on any Camino was the Gambassi Terme to San Gimignano section of the VF.
 
How about either Ruta de Lana (13-27 days) or Camino de Madrid (13-15 days). Quieter than the other routes, decent albergues, great scenery, less concrete walking. You can make either longer by adjusting your stages or route/sidetrips as well.
 
3rd Edition. Vital content training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Maybe the Via de la Plata from Mérida (or later) to Astorga? From Mérida that might be about 16+/- walking stages. Those stages don't contain any major elevation gains, and you would get to go through the cities of Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca, Zamora and Astorga, all of which are fascinating.
 
How about Chemin de Mont St Michel in Brittany in France. The route from Clisson via Nantes and Rennes is easy. Some pilgrim accommodation available on it too.( I did this heading south). Even the Chemin Mont St Michel from Cherbourg has enough accommodation options plus you get to enjoy the sea and crossing of the sands to Mont St Michel (with a guide)
 
You might enjoy walking along the Loire River and visiting the grand châteaux. Check out this link in English for more info re hiking along the Loire on the GR3 in the Touraine département. Bus and train stops as well as accommodation possibilities are cited.

Wherever you do walk in France bon chemin!
 
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
Oh, there are a few:
- Rheinsteig along the Rhein river between Rüdesheim and Koblenz. Best in late summer or beginn of fall. 8-14 days.
- Rennsteig in Thuringia between Eisenach (Wartburg) and Blankenstein (in summer). 10 -12 days
- Via Regia between Görlitz and Eisenach via Leipzig and Erfurt 12-20 days
 
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...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Consider the Camino de Invierno from Ponferrada to Santiago. It takes nominally 10 days. This historic route mostly parallels the Camino Frances, but about 25 km to the south.

The Camino de Invierno tends to follow along, at lower altitudes, unlike the Frances, which seems to go from mountain top to mountain top. It is called the Winter Route (Camino de Invierno) because it typically has less snow blocking the route during the winter months, and is relatively more protected against the winter winds.

This route is beautiful and relatively unspoiled by too many pilgrims. Only officially recognized by the authorities as an official route in 2016, the services are still developing. But, after some eight years, the infrastructure is catching up to demand. Try it, you will not be sorry you did.

Hope this helps,

Tom
 
- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.
Yes, I have, and I highly recommend the Via Jacobi, especially the eastern half (Konstanz to Interlaken). Daily details in my blog (link in sig block below). Especially for a group, do book your lodgings well in advance, as you are competing with tourists for beds. Also plan to spend at least one night sleeping in straw.
 
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Hi all,

My wife and i are seasoned walkers but a couple joining us are a little less so. We are all seniors in our 60's

We are looking for some interesting new walks - ideally 8-24 days, 100 - 300 km ( we have already walked the Caminos - Francis, Portuguese, Norte, Le Puy, several hikes in the UK, and recently the Stevenson, Tarn Gorge and St Guilhem in France so we need something new

Ideally something not too strenuous - we can still walk 25k with elevation but would like not to "stagger" into each town.

Questions:

- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.

- open to any part of Europe

- in fact open to walks in NZ, Tasmania and Aussie too

Just looking for a nice moderately challenging, reasonably long (+10days ) hike

Thanks!!
Larapinta in Australia is great. The shorter itinerary is fine…maybe 6-7 days. A selection of the total stages. Of course any of the NZ walks are also excellent. My top recommendation would be Routeburn but the Milford Track is also excellent.
 
Consider the Camino de Invierno from Ponferrada to Santiago. It takes nominally 10 days. This historic route mostly parallels the Camino Frances, but about 25 km to the south.

The Camino de Invierno tends to follow along, at lower altitudes, unlike the Frances, which seems to go from mountain top to mountain top. It is called the Winter Route (Camino de Invierno) because it typically has less snow blocking the route during the winter months, and is relatively more protected against the winter winds.

This route is beautiful and relatively unspoiled by too many pilgrims. Only officially recognized by the authorities as an official route in 2016, the services are still developing. But, after some eight years, the infrastructure is catching up to demand. Try it, you will not be sorry you did.

Hope this helps,

Tom
Thx Tom - sounds like what I am looking for - really appreciate it!
 
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
Yes, I have, and I highly recommend the Via Jacobi, especially the eastern half (Konstanz to Interlaken). Daily details in my blog (link in sig block below). Especially for a group, do book your lodgings well in advance, as you are competing with tourists for beds. Also plan to spend at least one night sleeping in straw.
Thank you - i'm very eager to try Switzerland so really appreciate your perspective! How was The Geneva route to Le Puy...it looks like you walked it?
 
Larapinta in Australia is great. The shorter itinerary is fine…maybe 6-7 days. A selection of the total stages. Of course any of the NZ walks are also excellent. My top recommendation would be Routeburn but the Milford Track is also excellent.
Thx Rick - really appreciate the suggestions (I did Milford Sound, Heafey, Routeburn and Able Tasman in my youth!)
 
Holoholo automatically captures your footpaths, places, photos, and journals.
Thank you - i'm very eager to try Switzerland so really appreciate your perspective! How was The Geneva route to Le Puy...it looks like you walked it?
I walked Via Jacobi last year. The scenery is magnificent, the route mostly not too strenuous (but there are climbs and some steep descents), if it is important to you, it crosses all three important pilgrimage sites, and other historic towns, there is just enough pilgrim infrastructure. Weather can be very changeable and I only have one complaint, there was more asphalt then I would have liked.
I completed it in three weeks, the last week mostly in 25-30km range.
 
Holoholo automatically captures your footpaths, places, photos, and journals.
I walked Via Jacobi last year. The scenery is magnificent, the route mostly not too strenuous (but there are climbs and some steep descents), if it is important to you, it crosses all three important pilgrimage sites, and other historic towns, there is just enough pilgrim infrastructure. Weather can be very changeable and I only have one complaint, there was more asphalt then I would have liked.
I completed it in three weeks, the last week mostly in 25-30km range.
Hi Caminka - thank you very much, I'm very interested in this route. I don't mind some steep climbing or some steep descents but the last walk I did it was every day and that wears on you. I did the Norte - first 10 days were tough same with the Via Pondiensa but then you got some flat days . I would like a fun walk -some challenge but not where I'm dreading the next day or stressed thatI can't make the climb...can you add any more info on how hard? I know it's subjective
 
Hi all,

My wife and i are seasoned walkers but a couple joining us are a little less so. We are all seniors in our 60's

We are looking for some interesting new walks - ideally 8-24 days, 100 - 300 km ( we have already walked the Caminos - Francis, Portuguese, Norte, Le Puy, several hikes in the UK, and recently the Stevenson, Tarn Gorge and St Guilhem in France so we need something new

Ideally something not too strenuous - we can still walk 25k with elevation but would like not to "stagger" into each town.

Questions:

- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.

- open to any part of Europe

- in fact open to walks in NZ, Tasmania and Aussie too

Just looking for a nice moderately challenging, reasonably long (+10days ) hike

Thanks!!
Try the Greek Island of Sifnos - 10 marked trails and 365 churches

Camos Sifnos Pilgrim Walks
 
Holoholo automatically captures your footpaths, places, photos, and journals.
How was The Geneva route to Le Puy...
Quite nice, and much less expensive than Switzerland. As far as Lyon, you are still competing with tourists somewhat but there are gites. The home-stays listed in the "yellow book" from Les Amins tend to be suburban rather than in the heart of town, and expect one to speak French, which I don't. It's about 3-4 weeks (I ran into some very hot weather so had to cut short, is why it took me 3 years).
 
Hi Caminka - thank you very much, I'm very interested in this route. I don't mind some steep climbing or some steep descents but the last walk I did it was every day and that wears on you. I did the Norte - first 10 days were tough same with the Via Pondiensa but then you got some flat days . I would like a fun walk -some challenge but not where I'm dreading the next day or stressed thatI can't make the climb...can you add any more info on how hard? I know it's subjective
Sure.

I don't mind steep climbs either, especially if they come with nice views. There was daily climbing and descending, but nothing mountain-like, and perfectly doable for a reasonably fit person. Overall, I liked VJ for the scenery, the greenness, views and waterfalls, the cleanliness and toilets. Not that many medieval gems, though there were some. I didn't expect and was not enamored with so much asphalt. For that reason, I wouldn't walk it again, certainly not the whole of it. Best part was from Rapperswil to Frieburg.

If you start at Bodensee, you start climbing right away. There is a steepish section but it's not too long. Another shortish steep down and up before St. Gallen. I took different route into St. Gallen through woods. Limited views on first day. Pilgerherberge.

After St. Gallens suburbs up to lake then to Herisau. Long but good climb out of Herisau on paths to panoramic ridges to Aemisegg with BB with small attic dorm.

From here to Bodenwies you cross several steep valleys, two big ones with St. Peterzell and Watwil and several smaller ones. Then it's mostly road walk to St. Gallenkappel. Nice straw lodging.

Flatish to Rapperswil with very nice pilgerherberge.

After lake long steep climb to St. Meinrad then mostly down to Einsiedeln. I detoured via lake then continued to Trachslau to even out the stages. Pilgrim homestay. In good weather superb views.

Flat start then beautiful climb to Hagenegg, with one short nearlt vertical section. Magnificent views. Very steep descent which I avoided by taking longer gravel road (on advice of Rapperswil's hospitalera). From Scwyz mostly flat and asphalt to Ingebohl/Brunnen. Nice straw lodging. In nice weather go to the lake for views.

Short lake crossing then good panoramic climb. In woods I detoured steep down to waterfalls and lake then along lake (mostly) to join VJ. Long flat asphalt section along then away from the lake then up into hills. I short-cutted down on paths to straw lodging outside Stans.

Good mixture of up and down paths and roads, but nothing too strenuous and good views. Short steep down to Bruder Klaus cell and chapels then up to Flueli-Ranft. Lovely down to lake then flat to Giswil. Homestay in my own appart and was lucky to find a bed (was probably a weekend).

Flat start (I detoured to avoid asphalt), steepish climb to lake, VJ flat along lake (I detoured on up and down paths on other side of lake), alternative route up to chapel (VJ was closed here due to landslide), flat, then up to Brunigpass. Nice views all along. After detour to a very fine viewpoint, steepish descent to Brienzwiller. My favourite pilgerherberge.

Down to lake, then I detoured along south side of lake via waterfalls, but was told that VJ was very up and down. Hostel with pilgrim rate in Interlaken. I had some very nice views.

Because it was national holiday and everything in 40km range was full, I had to take the train to Spiez and start from there. Good ups and downs with good views, especially back to Eiger, Monsch and Jungfrau. One insane short vertical. Nice pilgrim homestay in Uebeschli.

Flattish to Wattenwill, vertical climb out of it, then you are good to Riggisberg. Up to Rueggisberg then good ups and downs into Schwarzenburg, with two shortish steepish climbs and one fence-climbing. Still nice views. Another nice pilgrim homestay.

Ups and downs but all good, then steep descent to river and steep climb to Frieburg. Pilgerherberge in monastery. Worth a rest day.

Long asphalt day across rolling hills to Romont. Pilgrim homestay.

Up the steep down, then flat through Moudon. Rolling hills and steep short descent then climb to Montepreveyres. Long day. Nice gite d'etape.

VJ to Lausanne has been rerouted. I took the old route which was across rolling hills, mostly in shade, then down to Lausanne. Flat along lake Leman to St. Sulpice. Very nice pilgrim homestay.

Very cool along lake past Morges (peek at Mont Blanc if you are lucky) then rolling hills above lake to Gland. Long day. Nice pilgrim gite d'etape.

Rolling hills above lake, mostly on roads. I took the train from Versoix back to Gland because the few pilgrim homestays were full. I also detoured to lake via Coppet. Long day.

The route was well made through Geneve's agglomeration but it was still mostly asphalt. Geneva hostel in Paquis on the way and close to the lake into centre was a nice surprise.

If you are starting from Konstanz, you have mostly flat first two days to Marstetten (pilgerherberge) and Fishingen (monastery with dorms). Third day starts gently then steep long climb to Hornli with far-reaching views. Steep descent to valley then mostly down into Rapperswil. Good mixture of off-road and road walking.

You can also check my wikiloc tracks, I go by caminka there too. All VJ tracks start with camino2023.
 
Last edited:
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Quite nice, and much less expensive than Switzerland. As far as Lyon, you are still competing with tourists somewhat but there are gites. The home-stays listed in the "yellow book" from Les Amins tend to be suburban rather than in the heart of town, and expect one to speak French, which I don't. It's about 3-4 weeks (I ran into some very hot weather so had to cut short, is why it took me 3 years).
Thank you - yes hot weather got us on Le Puy - this year same time in France rain and cold, single digits
 
Sure.

I don't mind steep climbs either, especially if they come with nice views. There was daily climbing and descending, but nothing mountain-like, and perfectly doable for a reasonably fit person. Overall, I liked VJ for the scenery, the greenness, views and waterfalls, the cleanliness and toilets. Not that many medieval gems, though there were some. I didn't expect and was not enamored with so much asphalt. For that reason, I wouldn't walk it again, certainly not the whole of it. Best part was from Rapperswil to Frieburg.

If you start at Bodensee, you start climbing right away. There is a steepish section but it's not too long. Another shortish steep down and up before St. Gallen. I took different route into St. Gallen through woods. Limited views on first day. Pilgerherberge.

After St. Gallens suburbs up to lake then to Herisau. Long but good climb out of Herisau on paths to panoramic ridges to Aemisegg with BB with small attic dorm.

From here to Bodenwies you cross several steep valleys, two big ones with St. Peterzell and Watwil and several smaller ones. Then it's mostly road walk to St. Gallenkappel. Nice straw lodging.

Flatish to Rapperswil with very nice pilgerherberge.

After lake long steep climb to St. Meinrad then mostly down to Einsiedeln. I detoured via lake then continued to Trachslau to even out the stages. Pilgrim homestay. In good weather superb views.

Flat start then beautiful climb to Hagenegg, with one short nearlt vertical section. Magnificent views. Very steep descent which I avoided by taking longer gravel road (on advice of Rapperswil's hospitalera). From Scwyz mostly flat and asphalt to Ingebohl/Brunnen. Nice straw lodging. In nice weather go to the lake for views.

Short lake crossing then good panoramic climb. In woods I detoured steep down to waterfalls and lake then along lake (mostly) to join VJ. Long flat asphalt section along then away from the lake then up into hills. I short-cutted down on paths to straw lodging outside Stans.

Good mixture of up and down paths and roads, but nothing too strenuous and good views. Short steep down to Bruder Klaus cell and chapels then up to Flueli-Ranft. Lovely down to lake then flat to Giswil. Homestay in my own appart and wad lucky to find a bed (was probably a weekend).

Flat start (I detoured to avoid asphalt), steepish climb to lake, VJ flat along lake (I detoured on up and down paths on other side of lake), alternative route up to chapel (VJ was closed here due to landslide), flat, then up to Brunigpass. Nice views all along. After detour to a very fine viewpoint, steepish descent to Brienzwiller. My favourite pilgerherberge.

Down to lake, then I detoured along south side of lake via waterfalls, but was told that VJ was very up and down. Hostel with pilgrim rate in Interlaken. I had some very nice views.

Because it was national holiday and everything in 40km range wad full, I had to take the train to Spiez and start from there. Good ups and downs with good views, especially back to Eiger, Monsch and Jungfrau. One insane short vertical. Nice pilgrim homestay in Uebeschli.

Flattish to Wattenwill, vertical climb out of it, then you are good to Riggisberg. Up to Rueggisberg then good ups and downs into Schwarzenburg, with two shortish steepish climbs and one fence-climbing. Still nice views. Another nice pilgrim homestay.

Ups and downs but all good, then steep descent to river and steep climb to Frieburg. Pilgerherberge in monastery. Worth a rest day.

Long asphalt day across rolling hills to Romont. Pilgrim homestay.

Up the steep down, then flat through Moudon. Rolling hills and steep short descent then climb to Montepreveyres. Long day. Nice gite d'etape.

VJ to Lausanne has been rerouted. I took the old route which was across rolling hills, mostly in shade, then down to Lausanne. Flat along lake Leman to St. Sulpice. Very nice pilgrim homestay.

Very cool along lake past Morges (peek at Mont Blanc if you are lucky) then rolling hills above lake to Gland. Long day. Nice pilgrim gite d'etape.

Rolling hills above lake, mostly on roads. I took the train from Versoix back to Gland because the few pilgrim homestays were full. I also detoured to lake via Coppet. Long day.

The route was well made through Geneve's agglomeration but it was still mostly asphalt. Geneva hostel in Paquis on the way and close to the lake into centre was a nice surprise.

If you are starting from Konstanz, you have mostly flat first two days to Marstetten (pilgerherberge) and Fishingen (monastery with dorms). Third day starts gently then steep long climb to Hornli with far-reaching views. Steep descent to valley then mostly down into Rapperswil. Good mixture of off-road and road walking.

You can also check my wikiloc tracks, I go by caminka there too. All VJ tracks start with camino2023.
Fantastic! I felt like i was there walking it! Really really appreciate all the time you took to help me out!
 
Last edited:
Fail to prepare? reduce your risk by buying this book full of practical info.
2nd ed.
How about The Luther path in West Germany. Or the Pieterpad from north to Southwest Netherland. Or the Kustpad in ther Netherlands.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
How about The Luther path in West Germany. Or the Pieterpad from north to Southwest Netherland. Or the Kustpad in ther Netherlands.

I have not heard of these but would love to walk in Germany or Holland - I will start looking now
 
How about La Voie de Rocamadour in France it's about 260km from Bénévent-l'Abbaye to Rocamadour, a beautiful sanctuary to Our Lady built into the rocks. I did it in 2017 and don't recall it being particularly challenging. Lots of nice little French towns to stay in and I had no problem finding accommodation. All the info here and also a guidebook (All in French but I think you can translate using the browser)
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Hi all,

My wife and i are seasoned walkers but a couple joining us are a little less so. We are all seniors in our 60's

We are looking for some interesting new walks - ideally 8-24 days, 100 - 300 km ( we have already walked the Caminos - Francis, Portuguese, Norte, Le Puy, several hikes in the UK, and recently the Stevenson, Tarn Gorge and St Guilhem in France so we need something new

Ideally something not too strenuous - we can still walk 25k with elevation but would like not to "stagger" into each town.

Questions:

- anyone walked in Switzerland? - been looking at sections of Via Jacobi and St James Way in Switzerland - any advice for "sections" of these walks or others that are not all thru mountain passes - looks beautiful there.

- open to any part of Europe

- in fact open to walks in NZ, Tasmania and Aussie too

Just looking for a nice moderately challenging, reasonably long (+10days ) hike

Thanks!!
 
How about La Voie de Rocamadour in France it's about 260km from Bénévent-l'Abbaye to Rocamadour, a beautiful sanctuary to Our Lady built into the rocks. I did it in 2017 and don't recall it being particularly challenging. Lots of nice little French towns to stay in and I had no problem finding accommodation. All the info here and also a guidebook (All in French but I think you can translate using the browser)
Thank you so much - looks fabulous! Thx for taking the time to answer me and provide this reco.
 

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