Sarria to Santiago oct 2018

[Cmp]

Hello all. My name is Ceil and I plan to walk Sarria to Santiago in oct. I will book my flight tomorrow. I’m a little flexible on my days. I am currently walking 5 miles w a small backpack and manage well. This weekend I hope to increase to 7 since I will have more time. I can take up to 12 days to spend in Spain and am wondering if I should start before Sarria or go on to Finester. Any thought are welcome.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Welcome @Cmp Many people can manage to walk from Astorga to Santiago in ten or twelve days - while that would requite walking more than seven miles each day, I suspect you may be able to when you have all day to do it!
I prefer Astorga to Sarria rather than Santiago to Finisterre, but I live near the sea and so mountains are more of a drawcard for me. What would YOU prefer?

 

[Jan_D]

The camino gets VERY busy from Sarria, as this marks the 100km point after which you qualify for a compostela. If you have more time, I would definitely encourage you to start a few days before this! As Kiwi-family says, you will probably manage to walk further than 7 miles once on the camino - not only because you have all day, but also because you'll get swept along with a group of pilgrims and it's so much fun you'll wonder where the time went! Buen camino

 

[Deleted member 12253]

12 days walking Sarria to Santiago and Finnisterra and Muxia buen Camino

 

[Dorpie]

Hi @Cmp ,

My initial suggestion would have been to take the Finisterre option as I think it makes for a more satisfiying end point, but having heard her thinking I now tend to agree with @Jan_D that it might be nice to sample the "real" pre-Sarria camino and start a little further back.

Whatever you decide have a fabulous time.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You will be fine in October with crowds in the last 100km. I suggest you give yourself flexibility by starting in Sarria. If all goes well, you can continue on to Fisterra or Muxia after Santiago. If you are struggling, then a couple of extra days will be useful for completing Sarria-Santiago comfortably. Your training regimen is not really showing you what the stresses are with a backpack, hills, heat, dehydration, sleep deprivation, and joint mechanics. Starting with modest goals is worthwhile, so "curb your enthusiasm" by staying within your limits!

 

[Cmp]

Welcome @Cmp Many people can manage to walk from Astorga to Santiago in ten or twelve days - while that would requite walking more than seven miles each day, I suspect you may be able to when you have all day to do it!
I prefer Astorga to Sarria rather than Santiago to Finisterre, but I live near the sea and so mountains are more of a drawcard for me. What would YOU

 

[Cmp]

I heard there is a lot of construction around o’cebrero (spelling) so I will look into that some more. Thank you.

 

[Cmp]

You will be fine in October with crowds in the last 100km. I suggest you give yourself flexibility by starting in Sarria. If all goes well, you can continue on to Fisterra or Muxia after Santiago. If you are struggling, then a couple of extra days will be useful for completing Sarria-Santiago comfortably. Your training regimen is not really showing you what the stresses are with a backpack, hills, heat, dehydration, sleep deprivation, and joint mechanics. Starting with modest goals is worthwhile, so "curb your enthusiasm" by staying within your limits!

 

[Cmp]

I think you may be right. I do have one more month of training so I hope to be in better shape. This is my first Camino and am 60 so I want to be realistic and not stressed. Thank you.

 

[Cmp]

The camino gets VERY busy from Sarria, as this marks the 100km point after which you qualify for a compostela. If you have more time, I would definitely encourage you to start a few days before this! As Kiwi-family says, you will probably manage to walk further than 7 miles once on the camino - not only because you have all day, but also because you'll get swept along with a group of pilgrims and it's so much fun you'll wonder where the time went! Buen camino

Thank you.

 

[nycwalking]

Buen camino.

 

[Cmp]

Thank you I’m so looking forward to this!

 

[Cmp]

Hi @Cmp ,

My initial suggestion would have been to take the Finisterre option as I think it makes for a more satisfiying end point, but having heard her thinking I now tend to agree with @Jan_D that it might be nice to sample the "real" pre-Sarria camino and start a little further back.

Whatever you decide have a fabulous time.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

Thank you I guess I have the freedom to decide as my trip gets closer and I see how I’m doing with my training. Thank you!

 

[Marbe2]

Welcome @Cmp Many people can manage to walk from Astorga to Santiago in ten or twelve days - while that would requite walking more than seven miles each day, I suspect you may be able to when you have all day to do it!
I prefer Astorga to Sarria rather than Santiago to Finisterre, but I live near the sea and so mountains are more of a drawcard for me. What would YOU prefer?

It is 262km from Astorga to Santiago. So in 12 days you would have to average about 22km per day or about 13 miles a day with no rest day and with a signicant climb up to OCebriero.
Suggest you consider starting in OCebriero. This would give you an extra 2-3 days of walking. The distance is abt 156km. For 12 days you would average 13km per day or 7.8 miles. If you needed a rest day, then you would average about 14.2km or 8.5 miles per day. Whatever you decide ease into your camino. More is not always better!

 

[Cmp]

It is 262km from Astorga to Santiago. So in 12 days you would have to average about 22km per day or about 13 miles a day with no rest day and with a signicant climb up to OCebriero.
Suggest you consider starting in OCebriero. This would give you an extra 2-3 days of walking. The distance is abt 156km. For 12 days you would average 13km per day or 7.8 miles. If you needed a rest day, then you would average about 14.2km or 8.5 miles per day. Whatever you decide ease into your camino. More is not always better!

Thank you that is most helpful. I appreciate all the support.

 

[Tvsteve]

Ceil, Buen Camino.

I have done the Camino 3 times and the least pleasurable part, each time, has been from Sarria to Santiago. Last year, at age 75, I was dismayed at what I coined the “fake pilgrims” that joined in Sarria. It had been 13 years since I did my second pilgrimage and I wasn’t prepared for this new kind of Pilgrim.

There was a stark contrast between those and the “real” Pilgrims that started further back. But, to each his own. I hope you get so much out of it that you will come back and experience it again.

When I do it next in 2022, when I’m 80, I think I’ll skip the Sarria-Santiago leg.

 

[Cmp]

Which leg of the Camino did you like best considering a 10-12 day time frame?

 

[Cmp]

This is not good advice

Why is this not good advice?

 

[Davey Boyd]

Why is this not good advice?

Ignore this it was someone trolling.

My two cents is start at O' Cebreiro!

Buen Camino
Davey

 

[Kanga]

Yes @Davey Boyd and @Cmp - and the troll has been removed. Love our eagle eyed members.

I'm a fan of the Sarria to Santiago stretch Ceil, but whatever you decide - enjoy!

 

[Cmp]

Ignore this it was someone trolling.

My two cents is start at O' Cebreiro!

Buen Camino
Davey

Thank you!

 

[Tvsteve]

Which leg of the Camino did you like best considering a 10-12 day time frame?

For only 10-12 days I would start in Pamplona. Take 2-3 similar sessions to finish whenever, maybe in a couple of years. Your experience will be something you’ve never had before

 

[Cmp]

For only 10-12 days I would start in Pamplona. Take 2-3 similar sessions to finish whenever, maybe in a couple of years. Your experience will be something you’ve never had before

Thank you.

 

[trecile]

Not everyone has the luxury of a month or more to walk the Camino, or the money to do so. There is nothing fake about those who start in Sarria. There is also nothing noble about walking the Camino. We all do it for our own reasons.

 

[Kanga]

Well put @trecile. If I could double like your post, I would.

 

[suzTeach]

Hello all. My name is Ceil and I plan to walk Sarria to Santiago in oct. I will book my flight tomorrow. I’m a little flexible on my days. I am currently walking 5 miles w a small backpack and manage well. This weekend I hope to increase to 7 since I will have more time. I can take up to 12 days to spend in Spain and am wondering if I should start before Sarria or go on to Finester. Any thought are welcome.

Hi Ceil- I am starting from Sarria mid October. We plan on 9 days to get to Santiago. If we're early (no one had any health issues) we'll take a bus to Finisterre. Good to keep yourself flexible. Hope to meet you on the way. Buen Camino

 

[Saranger]

Not everyone has the luxury of a month or more to walk the Camino, or the money to do so. There is nothing fake about those who start in Sarria. There is also nothing noble about walking the Camino. We all do it for our own reasons.

Each person walks his or her own Camino. It is authentic to that individual. There is nothing “fake” about someone who walks the last 100km does something different than another person. They are walking what they can and we do not know their backstory and challenges. It’s still 100 km walking!

Let’s strive to be supportive of all pilgrims! The excitement is just as real for someone walking 100km as 800km. Who are we to judge who is fake or real? The spirit of the Camino is either there or it isn’t. Distance doesn’t determine kindness, gratitude or community.

 

[FeatherG]

I have to agree with 'Saranger'. The Camino is a lovely 'journey', whether you do 100km or 800km. I've never had the 'luxury' to do 'the whole lot' ... some day, maybe ... but I've journeyed 6 'different' Caminos, & loved each one! The first was a large group 'fund-raising' trip in 2011... an amazing experience, which started my 'addiction' to the Camino! I have since returned with smaller groups & twice 'solo' ... my favourite! I really missed it this year ... 'my fix'... but due to 'granny duties', had other priorities. However, next year "I'll be back"!
Have a wonderful time ... Buen Camino x

 

[C clearly]

How about starting in Ponferrada? It is big enough to have good transportation and to provide some interesting sights on the day before you start walking. It is about 210 km from Santiago. If you actually have only 10 days to walk and you are not confident of your fitness, you could start 30 km ahead in Villafranca del Bierzo.

Why don't you research and document the exact transportation options to several of the places that have been suggested? Then when the day arrives, you can pick any one of them, depending on how you feel, what the weather is, or who you happen to meet at the airport.

P.S. The number of people on the camino in October, even from Sarria to Santiago, should be quite acceptable - enough for fun but not excessive.

 

[Opa Theo]

I think you may be right. I do have one more month of training so I hope to be in better shape. This is my first Camino and am 60 so I want to be realistic and not stressed. Thank you.

My wife and I are 70 and will be starting in Sarria at the end of September. We'll look for you.
Ted