New to the Camino

[Cath P.]

Hi everyone
This will be my first Camino & I'm after some advice.
I have 3 weeks to ground myself on a walk before spending another 3 weeks, travelling Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada. (incl. Salamanca, Toledo, Montserrat) via train/bus etc.
I have considered the routes Camino del Norte and Camino Frances.
Have read advice, forums etc and feel the need to reach out for insight/advice. I feel a need to reconnect to the earth and to myself. (not a religious pilgrimage)
Walking from beginning of Sept 2015
This may have relevance for people with advice:
I can't speak spanish (although trying to learn basic spanish at the moment!)
I will be walking alone. I've been a traveller/backpacker for quite a few years (I finished many years ago),
& mostly travelled/planned using a lonely planet guide book (before the internet, I know y'all must be shocked!) and I've never done anything like this.
My fitness is poor, which I am starting to work on now.
To do this the 'one time' - I would appreciate insights as to which route would be a good choice for me!
I love to amble, soak up culture, village life and scenic routes, observing the simplicity of all things,
totally enjoy hidden historical treasures, I feel great near the sea (hence the temptation for the north walk) but if making this trip once (?) is the best route the Camino Frances, starting my journey e.g. Logrono?
If necessary due to circumstance/time I can catch a bus (not to proud to walk every step!)
Sorry for essay & thanks for any advice,
Cat

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I suggest the Camino Frances from Pamplona unless your fitness level improves greatly. You can walk short stages very easily, and transport parallels the route, so you can catch an inexpensive ride regularly as needed. None of that applies on the other caminos. You can't miss small villages and the culture. Without good working Spanish, you will have visual contact only (pretty much). Have fun!

 

[Al the optimist]

As you only have 3 weeks walking may I suggest you consider buses into and out of some of the cities. Many find the entries/exits into Burgos and Leon uninspiring.

 

[Cath P.]

Thank you for your feedback, I do appreciate your time and experience.

I was thinking to catch the train from Barcelona to Logrono then
local transport onto Santo Domingo de la Calzada - & start walking here ?
Walk to Belorado and bus to Burgos then local transport to
Rabe de las Calzades start: walking Hontanas and onto Sahagun

Does anyone have advise on starting points in this region ?
From Sahagun - bus to Astorga. Stop in Astorga.
Any advice on the walk from Astorga to Sarria? (If time poor then bus to Sarria)
Walk Sarria to Santiago de Compostela.

Any advice on the Logrono - Najera - Belorado - Burgos route?
I understand Rabe de las Calzadas to Hontanas is a lovely stretch.
Is the best book to travel this route Camino de Santiago by John Brierley?

Thank you so much again for your ideas and information, I appreciate any offering of experience/knowledge.

 

[Anamya]

Dear Cath
As said before, the Camino Frances is the easiest one in terms of shelter, buses, internet, etc. If you don't find a place in a sheltr, you can find inns in most cities.

I would not skip León if I were you (it's between Sahagun and Astorga). Actually, cities that are mindblowing (imho):
- Burgos
- León
- Astorga
- Ponferrada
- Cebreiro
- And then walk from Sarria on... You take less than a week to do that, even in a slow pace.

It's very easy to go with ALSA buses from one city to another. I particularly found the Galicia region amazing to walk, despite one day of tough way up to get in Cebreiro. As Optimist said above, the exits of Burgos and Leon are a bit boring... on the other hand, Astorga is beeeeautiful!

I read the John Brierley book and it was quite useful. There are other good ones and also websites, just go around searching! Wear very confortable shoes and Buen Camino!