Sept 2017 CF...need timing input

[AlexanderAZ]

Planning to do SJPdP to Fisterra with my Dad mid-Sept (2017) start. We are not bound by an external schedule. I'm having a bit of difficulty in figuring out the exact number of days so we can purchase our plane tickets. We are both in excellent health and very active although we want to roll at a casual pace, allow for time off from walking, etc. He will be turning 72 while we are on our journey and is very much a stop-and-smell-the-roses walker. We both prefer visiting with folks as opposed to touring big city touristy type things. I know an option is to buy a return flight once we are in Spain but we prefer to have pre-purchased tickets. Thank in advance for feedback on how I might determine how many days to allot for our journey.

AlexanderAZ

 

[MTtoCamino]

Planning to do SJPdP to Fisterra with my Dad mid-Sept (2017) start. We are not bound by an external schedule. I'm having a bit of difficulty in figuring out the exact number of days so we can purchase our plane tickets. We are both in excellent health and very active although we want to roll at a casual pace, allow for time off from walking, etc. He will be turning 72 while we are on our journey and is very much a stop-and-smell-the-roses walker. We both prefer visiting with folks as opposed to touring big city touristy type things. I know an option is to buy a return flight once we are in Spain but we prefer to have pre-purchased tickets. Thank in advance for feedback on how I might determine how many days to allot for our journey.

AlexanderAZ[/QUOTE
Alexander welcome to the forum.
You are asking the most difficult question to answer. The best answer is give yourself 42 days, because no one can determine the things that may slow you down. Many start but a good number develop physical issues that slow them down. With 42 days no pressure & if you get done a week or 2 sooner many options!

 

[MTtoCamino]

Sorry open the message above

 

[trecile]

I think that planning on 42 days is a good idea. I walked SJPDP to Finisterre in 36 days, including a rest day in León.

 

[SYates]

I would suggest to multiply 20km by walking days available ;-) So 40 days, if you start in SJPdP and end up in Santiago would give you plenty of leeway, 3-5 more days for the detour to Finisterrs/Muxia. Buen Camino, SY

 

[Deleted member 3000]

He will be turning 72 while we are on our journey and is very much a stop-and-smell-the-roses walker.

Do a plan here, then maybe add a day or two, plus time in Santiago and to Fisterra:

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

 

[tomnorth]

I planned 6 weeks from leaving to returning home. The walking took me 36 days including two rest days. We arrived in Santiago on a Thursday and my flight home was the next Tuesday, so I had a long weekend in Santiago. On Monday I took the train to Madrid for the return flight. In essence I had three days of buffer in my schedule. I recommend padding the end of your schedule at least a few days to give you some flexibility.

 

[Land-Wanderer]

I'm planning to start Sept 13 from SJPdP and giving myself 6 weeks to reach Santiago. I plan to be much like your father and smell the roses.

 

[gerardcarey]

First figure out how many ks you can walk on an average day. Dividing that into 800ks gives you the actual walking days you will need.
I wanted one day off per week. That works out like, Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos, Leon, and one other I've forgotten. And you'll need a couple of days in Santiago at the end.
The roses are pretty sweet and need a fair bit of smelling.
Good travelling and buen Camino
Gerard

 

[AlexanderAZ]

Thanks, Gerard, and others for the replies. Therein lies my dilemma...what we *can* do versus what would be the best smell-the-roses pace. The former has the father telling the son he's missed roses. The Camino is going to be my best attempt to not miss any roses.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

No wonder you are having trouble figuring this out. How many days it will take you will depend on the pace of a person you've met and want to walk with a bit, or on the stomach bug one of you catches and has you no further than a few steps from the loo for a few days. Plan for something that feels comfortable, add in a few days in case of a stomach bug, and if you are left with too many days get on a bus or a train and go spend a few days on the coast by Cee, O Grove, etc.

And please, do not plan on buying your return flight while en route, unless you have money to burn, in which case I can think of a few charities that could use that money.

 

[MTtoCamino]

I think that planning on 42 days is a good idea. I walked SJPDP to Finisterre in 36 days, including a rest day in León.

Amazing the people you find with the same pace. My only regret was not going to Muxia & then on to Finnesterre.
So darn I have to plan a Camino Madrid to Leon to Santiago to Muxia next. That area & ocean is calling me back.

 

[whariwharangi]

Madrid is a beautiful city

Granada is steeped in history.

Cordova was once the seat of the Western Caliphate.

If you have a few days extra in your schedule, I'm sure you could find something to fill the time.

 

[C clearly]

Perhaps you should ask your father how many roses he plans to smell! Also, even a fairly minor ailment can mean that you'd not enjoy walking 20 km that day.

All you can do is make your best guess and add a few days for buffer, to be enjoyed however you want at the end, if you haven't used them. Don't forget the travel day to your start, and one to your departure flight. Add some sight seeing in Santiago and Madrid (if you go through there).

That adds up to 6 weeks or more, very quickly!

 

[J Willhaus]

Another thing you may want to consider is that some Albergues will begin to close after September. We walked about an average of 10 miles per day on average which gave plenty of time for seeing the sights. We also stayed in more small towns and often off the stages listed in the various guides.

 

[poogeyejr]

We do a Casual Camino, some days only 15km. So my roommate booked her trip for 60 days and pre-booked her flights. She walked the camino at her pace, spent a few days in Santiago, went out to Finnisterre and once she returned to Santiago, she had a few days left so she picked a section of the Norte she wanted to see and walked that section until her flight.

My philosophy is the longer the better!

 

[tomnorth]

Another thing you may want to consider is that some Albergues will begin to close after September. We walked about an average of 10 miles per day on average which gave plenty of time for seeing the sights. We also stayed in more small towns and often off the stages listed in the various guides.

I walked until the end of October and don't recall seeing any closed albergues. I wonder if the closure time is getting pushed later into the year.

 

[C clearly]

some Albergues will begin to close after September.

There is no shortage of albergues in October.