SJPP to Leon

[MelissaKay]

Having walked the Frances in 2017 with my girls, my husband and I will be walking for 16 days this June, starting in SJPP.

Although my girls and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Orisson, my husband would like to walk on to Roncesvalles. In a perfect world, he'd like to make it to Leon. Has anyone ever made it to Leon in 16 days and if so, how did you break it up? However, if it appears to be too much for us, we'll definitely slow down and spend some time in Burgos and Madrid before flying back home!

 

[alhartman]

SJPdP to Leon is about 475 km;so you need to average 30km per day with no rest or injury. I hit Leon on my 17th day one trip with an injured hiking partner; but we bussed Santo Domingo to Burgos.
Here is a great planning link: https://godesalco.com/plan/frances
Buen Camino

 

[jpflavin1]

Having walked the Frances in 2017 with my girls, my husband and I will be walking for 16 days this June, starting in SJPP.

Although my girls and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Orisson, my husband would like to walk on to Roncesvalles. In a perfect world, he'd like to make it to Leon. Has anyone ever made it to Leon in 16 days and if so, how did you break it up? However, if it appears to be too much for us, we'll definitely slow down and spend some time in Burgos and Madrid before flying back home!

MelissaKay:

I have walked the CF several times. My first trip was 32 days. The last one was 26 days. The answer to your question, imo, is yes. That said, it does depend on the type of walkers you are.

My first Camino was challenging because I had never continually walked for a month. It was also very communal. I walked with other Pilgrims from SJPdP, by the time we reached Santiago our family was 20.

Many Caminos later, I walk very differently.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Mugatu]

Yes its doable, 15 days last summer to get there, but I put in 3 short stages to stay at specific albergues (won't name them, but lets say they didn't have electricity ), so it could have been 13 if I didn't make those choices. Daily km was from 38 - 45, and would not recommend this if you don't already walk these distances.

Cant wait to be back there this summer, and discover something new. YMMV

 

[jpflavin1]

Melissakay:

SJPdP to Leon is roughly 465 km's. Over 16 days that is about 30 km's per day. According to the www.gronze.com guide it is a 20 days walk. Eleven or more, of those days, are under 25 km's. Considering all the villages along the CF, one could easily make up 4 days, imo. There is ample opportunity for longer days, especially on the Meseta.

You do not have to walk 38-45 km's everyday. eg: SJPdP to Espinal, Espinal to Trinidad de Arre, Trinidad to Puente la Reina.

There are lots of opportunities to walk 25-35 km's within an 8 hour walking day with breaks and lunch.

The toughest day between SJPdP and Leon is day 1.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[caminoagogo]

Has anyone ever made it to Leon in 16 days and if so, how did you break it up? However, if it appears to be too much for us, we'll definitely slow down and spend some time in Burgos and Madrid before flying back home!

16 days is pretty optimistic. I walk fairly quickly and only managed to arrive in Leon on the morning of my 18th day. The stage between Mansilla de las Mulas and Léon is not a particularly nice 18KM stretch so you could catch the bus that morning and shave off a day. That's what I did in order to give myself a rest day (https://camino-a-go-go.blogspot.com/2018/05/day-18-mansilla-de-las-mulas-to-leon.html).

 

[MelissaKay]

Thank you all so much for your replies! I have much to think about but we are so excited about this year's journey!

 

[Geoff Shepherd]

Thank you all so much for your replies! I have much to think about but we are so excited about this year's journey!

I did it in 26 days last Sep. Overnighting at:
SJPdP
Roncesvalles
Larrosoana
Zariquiegui
Lorca
Los Arcos
Logrono
Azofra
Villoria
St Juan
Burgos
Hontanas
Poblacion
Calzadilla
Bericanos
Villarente
Leon.
All good days, but as said above some big days walking, around 8 hours each day. Next time I’ll wind the pace back a bit and ‘smell the roses’ a bit more. I’m thinking that around 25 km average a day might be better, especially if you do not take any rest days. Cooee

 

[Geoff Shepherd]

I did it in 26 days last Sep. Overnighting at:
SJPdP
Roncesvalles
Larrosoana
Zariquiegui
Lorca
Los Arcos
Logrono
Azofra
Villoria
St Juan
Burgos
Hontanas
Poblacion
Calzadilla
Bericanos
Villarente
Leon.
All good days, but as said above some big days walking, around 8 hours each day. Next time I’ll wind the pace back a bit and ‘smell the roses’ a bit more. I’m thinking that around 25 km average a day might be better, especially if you do not take any rest days. Cooee

Oops - fat finger typing. Delete 26, replace with 16 !!!

 

[MelissaKay]

I did it in 26 days last Sep. Overnighting at:
SJPdP
Roncesvalles
Larrosoana
Zariquiegui
Lorca
Los Arcos
Logrono
Azofra
Villoria
St Juan
Burgos
Hontanas
Poblacion
Calzadilla
Bericanos
Villarente
Leon.
All good days, but as said above some big days walking, around 8 hours each day. Next time I’ll wind the pace back a bit and ‘smell the roses’ a bit more. I’m thinking that around 25 km average a day might be better, especially if you do not take any rest days. Cooee

This is great...exactly what I was looking for!! Thank you!!

 

[Felipe]

16 days to León....
Doable? Yes
Convenient? I don't know.
I -personally- would find the pressure to "make it" an average of 30 km every day too restrictive, and even conducive to excessive physical efforts, blisters and so. But that's me. If you are comfortable with this kind of distances, it will be no problem.
I would walk leisurely, as much as I like, enjoy my pilgrimage without pressures, and if I don't reach León, just take a bus.
Your husband could came back later, and restart exactly where you ended last time. I have done this, and it feels good to plan again a second walk.
As for SJPP-Roncesvalles, the vast majority of walkers do it in one day.
Buen camino!