Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela-most difficult

[Shefollowsarrows]

I'm planning as best I can my daily itinerary and wondering what the most difficult stage(s) are from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela and what stage I may walk less km due to more difficult terrain...input?

 

[SYates]

Here is the link http://www.caminodesantiago.me/cami...-maps-of-all-34-stages-of-the-camino-frances/ to a profile map to give you an idea of climbs / descends ;-) Personally I find going downhill more strenuous (knees!) than climbing up. Also, don't over-plan too much, very few pilgrims stick to the stages they have planned beforehand. Oh, and yes, try to do the really heavy climbs in the morning when it is cool and you are rested and not, for example, in the middle of the day when it is hotter and you are tired. Buen Camino, SY

 

[William Marques]

Most difficult mentally - walking into Burgos, Carrion de los Condes - Sahagun - El Burgo Ranero - Mansilla de las Mullas
Most difficult physically - Pyrenees, Pamplona - Puente la Reina, Rabanal - Molinaseca, Villafranca - O Cebreiro

 

[mspath]

For many pilgrims everyday is a different struggle/ balance of the topography and the weather plus our health and pack weight as well as personal strength and ability to endure. Sections I personally have found most difficult include the final climb up to Ibaneta on the Valcarlos alternative, up and especially down on scree at the Alto de Perdon (see http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/avoiding-the-alto-de-perdon.17036/), the long slog into Burgos after Ages and, of course, any where in heavy rain, thick mud or snow. Thus in bad weather I try to walk on a parallel road.

MM

 

[mralisn]

Oooo, I really like the separation of mentally and physically difficult above, and the mud is something we often forget as well.

My first walk into Burgos was a nightmare all along the busy street on sidewalk. I was by myself. The second time was barely noticed because I walked with two others at a good pace and full of laughter. Both late morning, summer.

If possible, consider leaving a couple of days "open". I know there is a better term but can't think of at the moment. Sometimes our Camino family will play a role in our journey whether walking a bit faster, a bit slower, or not at all. It's nice to have this option as well, but I understand sometimes it's a matter of catching a flight home on a certain day.

Also keep in mind how one's body usually becomes stronger as each week of walking goes by. What might have destroyed the muscles in the first week, may not even be a concern in the fourth.

A valuable lesson for me was to listen to my body not my ego.

May you have the best of all journeys, TammyLynn.

 

[D.Matthew]

Most difficult mentally - walking into Burgos, Carrion de los Condes - Sahagun - El Burgo Ranero - Mansilla de las Mullas
Most difficult physically - Pyrenees, Pamplona - Puente la Reina, Rabanal - Molinaseca, Villafranca - O Cebreiro

Great answer with the separation of physically and mentally. For me, the physically challenging stages were so beautiful that time flew by and my body didn't feel it until I stopped for the day. On the mental side, that walk into Burgos felt like an eternity

 

[NoQ]

I have just completed the Frances from Ibaneta to Santiago and for me, the most difficult stages were between Sarria and Salceda. Not because the walking was tough - the paths were mostly lovely and the terrain easy, but because I so missed the Camino of the early Meseta as after Sarria it was like the M1 for pilgrims and it felt so commercial and kind of diluted with so many people walking without large packs and taking support transport. Getting to Santiago and seeing such a wonderful place and pilgrims mass made it all worthwhile, but the change in dynamics of the Camino can be hard to fathom.

 

[SYates]

... the Camino of the early Meseta as after Sarria it was like the M1 for pilgrims ...

Free translation service: the "M1" is a British motorway / free-way ;-) SY

 

[pattymo97206]

I can remember details of my walk vividly up until Sarria. After that, well, I have to read my journal because I don't remember anything, not even where I slept.. That is until I reached Mont do Gozo and the final walk into Santiago to the cathedral..I'll will forever remember that.

 

[scruffy1]

The most difficult parts physically are often those with the most beautiful scenery a fair compromise, the most difficult mentally are those which lack aesthetic feedback-say the sidewalks leading out of Leon, the bollards leading into Carrion de los Condes, the walk around the airports in both Burgos and Santiago, do take the river path into Burgos and do capture the image of the cathedral in Santiago before coming down off of Monte del Gozo-a hot day walking with the trucks and over the highway are not particularly inspiring. Another less than inspiring way is coming on the lower route, the one by the highway coming out of Villafranca del Bierzo -Pereje-Trabadelo-Vega-Ruitelan, the option through the hills is what you want so head for the hills! You get tired there stop at Herrerias a tiny lovely place.