Garry Ireland
Travel Junkie
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Walking from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostella with my daughter in April (2019)
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I walked from SJPDP to Finisterre at age 59 in 35 days on my first Camino, and very first time backpacking, which included an overnight in Orisson rather than doing that first stage in one day. So I'd say yes, that's perfectly reasonable. However, if you can, I think that you should build in some extra days for contingencies. This site http://santiago.forwalk.org/en/m/1s/guide/1-the-french-way/route-list/#trails has some plans for doing SJPDP to Santiago in 26, 31 or 35 days.As a 62 year old reasonably fit male doing the full almost 800km of the Camino Frances for the first time, is 32 days to complete it realistic?
As a 62 year old reasonably fit male doing the full almost 800km of the Camino Frances for the first time, is 32 days to complete it realistic?
I was a pretty fit 65 yr old when I did it with 37 days walking. I slowed down a couple of days when I hurt my shin. It became pretty grueling at times. Fortunately I linked up with another 65 yr old guy for the last 11 days. We were well matched for pace and daily distance. Also, I had little bad weather to discourage me. So, I'd say you CAN do it in 32 days, but you might struggle some. If possible, you might consider allowing a few extra days in your plan. I did and then did some sightseeing.As a 62 year old reasonably fit male doing the full almost 800km of the Camino Frances for the first time, is 32 days to complete it realistic?
Hi, I'm interested in knowing where you spent your three "zero days", I'm open to zero days as well.I walked the whole route in 40 days, which included 3 zero days. I would feel less relaxed and more pressure if I'd needed to complete it in 32 days, but it is possible.
They are also places where you will be able to get accommodation for multiple nights too so you can lock up your room and set off to check out the city, without having to pack up and relocate.Logrono, Burgos and Leon. They are bigger cities with more things to see. I did take additional days after finishing in Santiago, Finesterre and Muxia, which added to the 40 days, but I did no considered them as zero days.
Me too. I took one rest day on my first Camino, and was itching to get walking again. Now for a "rest day" I'll just walk a shorter distance. For instance it's nice to get to the larger cities early, and stay in a pensión. Then you have all afternoon to explore, and can sleep in a bit in the morning.I did not have any rest days [I get bored when I'm not walking!],
Hi Rob.Hi Garry,
There being two of you does complicate things a little bit as it doubles the chance of an injury that may slow you down but my camino philosophy is to only worry (which doesn't mean not to be prepared for) about things until they happen.
Buen Camino,
Rob.
As a 62 year old reasonably fit male doing the full almost 800km of the Camino Frances for the first time, is 32 days to complete it realistic?
HI Gary - I did St Jean to Santiago in 31 days September/October 2018. Its tough at times but you get into a rhythm.As a 62 year old reasonably fit male doing the full almost 800km of the Camino Frances for the first time, is 32 days to complete it realistic?
Thanks for your advise. I have allowed an additional 3 days (35 in total) so hopefully all will be goodI can't help but chime in. I was 59 when I completed the Frances in 2018. I was well trained and originally planned for a 40 day trek. All the APOC meetings were helpful in planning our course with good tips and advice. Planning a realistic timeframe from the beginning will help you make your plane reservations. The most frustrated pilgrims we met were those that were rushing through because they had underestimated how long the trek would take. If you have the time...take the time to enjoy this adventure. There is something so magical about the pilgrimage that you won't expect or even understand until you start walking. The best advice we received was to break up the trek over the Pyrenees into two days, spending one night in Orrisson. It not only helps you to enjoy the first couple days, but unbeknownst to us...that was the day we met our 'Camino Family'. During the next 34 days, we deepened our friendships with these folks and had familiar faces and support for the duration of our pilgrimage. Because we had time, we were not driven to make a certain mileage each and every day. We only made reservations twice during our entire journey. We stopped when we were tired, or stopped when we read about a great albergue. We saw a sign for Casa Magica one day while eating lunch. The sign called to us and we ended up cutting our day short, having one of our favorite days on the Camino being pampered by them, lounging in hammocks, and eating a delicious evening meal they cooked for us. We loved having that flexibility. All this being said - we finished in 34 days, which gave us a few days in Santiago to welcome in our fellow pilgrim friends, enjoy a tour to Finisterre, and relax after our adventure. The difference for us was that we were relaxed each day because we were not on a tight schedule to make a pre arranged flight home. Giving yourself enough time will allow you the chance to relax and enjoy the adventure. Buen Camino
I can't help but chime in. I was 59 when I completed the Frances in 2018. I was well trained and originally planned for a 40 day trek. All the APOC meetings were helpful in planning our course with good tips and advice. Planning a realistic timeframe from the beginning will help you make your plane reservations. The most frustrated pilgrims we met were those that were rushing through because they had underestimated how long the trek would take. If you have the time...take the time to enjoy this adventure. There is something so magical about the pilgrimage that you won't expect or even understand until you start walking. The best advice we received was to break up the trek over the Pyrenees into two days, spending one night in Orrisson. It not only helps you to enjoy the first couple days, but unbeknownst to us...that was the day we met our 'Camino Family'. During the next 34 days, we deepened our friendships with these folks and had familiar faces and support for the duration of our pilgrimage. Because we had time, we were not driven to make a certain mileage each and every day. We only made reservations twice during our entire journey. We stopped when we were tired, or stopped when we read about a great albergue. We saw a sign for Casa Magica one day while eating lunch. The sign called to us and we ended up cutting our day short, having one of our favorite days on the Camino being pampered by them, lounging in hammocks, and eating a delicious evening meal they cooked for us. We loved having that flexibility. All this being said - we finished in 34 days, which gave us a few days in Santiago to welcome in our fellow pilgrim friends, enjoy a tour to Finisterre, and relax after our adventure. The difference for us was that we were relaxed each day because we were not on a tight schedule to make a pre arranged flight home. Giving yourself enough time will allow you the chance to relax and enjoy the adventure. Buen Camino
Thanks for your advise. I have allowed an additional 3 days (35 in total) so hopefully all will be goodCertainly people have done an entire CF in that amount of time or less, but for a first time walking, you’d be cutting it close planning on 32 days. If 32 days is the absolute maximum amount of time you have, I’d think seriously about starting a few days in, say in Pamplona or Lagroño. If your heart is set on starting in SJPDP, another option would be to taxi or bus ahead on certain sections to save time. This wouldn’t be my preferred approach, but I see you’re planning to walk with your daughter, so I’m assuming your time constraints aren’t completely within your control.
We have planned 2 nights in SJPDP, max 35 days walking and then 1 night in Santiago de Compestella. Hopefully all goes wellJust as an FYI, if you have John Brierley's Guide to the Camino Frances, and if IIRC, somewhere in the introductory material in front, there is a mention of how his 33 stages came about. Simply put, it is a subjective value based on the number of years Jesus Christ was said to have lived on earth.
From this, everything else fell into place. Over the years, this one guide has caused these 33 stages to become more or less, carved in stone. Most everyone accepts this as THE STANDARD outline for doing the Camino Frances.
However, this is just one construct. You can choose to do the Camino Frances as fast or as slow as you choose. On my first go in 2013, it took me 36 days, as I had injuries that required a three day stay at Burgos. Many folks from Europe take several yeas to do it in segments as they can more easily travel to and from the nodal points (SJPdP, Pamplona Logrono, Burgos, Leon, Astorga and Sarria) by train and or bus.
On my second go, in 2014, I intentionally stretched it to 40 days. This was predicated on wanting to add rest days at places I just blew through the first time "to keep on schedule," and to walk shorter daily stages. it was a far more relaxed and more productive Camino, IMHO.
My advice is to plan for SIX weeks, 42 days. Spend two nights at St, Jean Pied de Port before you start walking. Plan an extra "rest" day at Burgos, Leon, Astorga, and perhaps Sarria.
Plan to spend the remainder of the 42 days (3 - 4 days left) at Santiago de Compostela (SCQ airport code). I believe you will be happy that you did. Also, if you stake this longer plan out when you make air reservations, then work backwards from SCQ, you can adjust your daily travels as needed to arrive 'on time.'
Most of us traveling to France or Spain from off the European continent (AUS, NZ, US, CN, etc.) have to spend a lot of money, time and effort just to get to our starting point. My view is, what's the rush? You invested so much time and treasure to get there, you may as well make it enjoyable. Time is the most valuable commodity we have as humans. At the end, no amount of treasure will buy us another day, especially another day on Camino...
Heck, if you have more time than 42 days, you could plan to spend several days in Madrid or Lisbon on the way home. I have done this as well. Personally, I find that, after I've done a Camino, I am in NO RUSH to return home. Any activity I can find to spend more time in Spain or Portugal is worth the added expense, to me at least. Can't get enough!
Hope this helps.
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