one week, opinion on where to start?

[jfh]

Hello There,
i'm after booking a flight to Santiago on the 18th sept, returning to dublin on 25th sept.
it was a spur of the moment thing, although it was always something i wanted to do. My question is where should i start from?
i'm fit and do a bit of trekking but dont want to make a race of it.
thanks for any advice,
john

 

[Ulysse]

If you have 7 days (incl flights) and if you are in good shape, leave from Sarria (100km).

This will allow you reasonable walking days and mostly one day to visit Santiago and to taste some of the good food at reasonable prices.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Another possibility, should you be interested in completing the Camino over several visits-- not as impractical coming from Ireland as it would be for Canadians or Australians-- is to start in Pamplona and continue for a week to Logrono or Navarrete, then pick up the next stretch in another year. This is not uncommon among Spanish and French pilgrims.

I am not saying that the previous post's advice to start from Sarria is a bad one-- this is the most Irish part of Spain-- but I would strongly suggest that you do not try to rush it. Still, with a week you could start from Triacastela and enjoy the walk through Samos, which is not overcrowded and an excellent experience in its own right.

 

[Ulysse]

We are assuming you want to go on the Camino Francès.

You could also walk from La Coruna to Santiago or from Porto to Santiago. You have a choice. Enjoy whatever you decide and take your time; you might or might not ever come back to this part of the world.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Or how about a complete route - the Camino Ingles in 5 days!

 

[jfh]

thanks but one more question

Just saying thank you for taking the time & effort to advice me
you have giving me something to think about, i was thinking of doing the Camino Frances, so just one final question.
ohnnalexander mentioned the Camino Ingles, what is the scenary like?
and Ulysse mentioned starting in La Coruna,
i had heard of these but dont know any one who went these routes,
could you please advise which route you'd recommend?

oursonpolaire only for the fact that i'm flying into Santiago, it doesn't suit travelling back to pamplona, hopefully someother time..

john

 

[JohnnieWalker]

I have my sights set on doing the Camino Ingles soon - there is a very good section of the Forum dedicated to it with some very helpful postings:

viewforum.php?f=23

See also the helpful pages of the CSJ site:

http://www.csj.org.uk/route-camino-ingles.htm

Happy decision making

 

[Javier Martin]

Re: thanks but one more question

The Camino Inglés is the one that was walked by the pilgrims who came by boat from England or north europe.

It's possible to start it in Coruña or in Ferrol. I would prefer in Ferrol, but ir depends on oneself.

It's well marked and has good albergues.

You can find a "practice" guide with telephone numbers, etc. in http://www.amigosdelcamino.com (in spanish)

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.