Start recommendations 6-9 days to SdC

[LNsLife]

I'm sure this topic has been covered thoroughly but I'm not able to find it. I only have 6-9 (10?) days but am determined to walk to SdC on the CF. (Flight to/from Madrid.) I will be landing in late April, finishing the first week of May. What are your recommendations for a smart, lovely, and do-able Camino at that time of year and with the limited time? I was thinking Astorga, but maybe Ponferrada is better? or?? My goal is to later walk the full CF, enjoying the familiar end that I walked before. Thanks!

 

[trecile]

Look at Gronze.com. If you follow their stages, the farthest you could start from Santiago and finish in 9 days would be Villafranca del Bierzo. It's conceivable to start at Ponferrada, but you might be pushing it a bit.

Camino Francés | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés es el Camino de Santiago en el que confluyen la mayoría de las vías medievales de peregrinación europeas, siendo por tanto el camino de mayor relevancia histórica y el más seguido por los peregrinos. Su punto de inicio, hoy en día, tanto puede considerarse Roncesvalles como...

www.gronze.com

 

[NorthernLight]

It kinda depends on how far you can walk each day.

As trecile says, gronze can help.
Also check out the planning tool at godesalco

 

[scruffy1]

"Where did you start from" is always among the first questions asked when pilgrims meet. You will find yourself explaining just why Villafranca del Bierzo or Ponferrada, Consider perhaps the Camino Inglés starting from Ferro just north of Coruña you have a complete Camino with the Compostela and no apologies need to be offered.

 

[trecile]

"Where did you start from" is always among the first questions asked when pilgrims meet. You will find yourself explaining just why Villafranca del Bierzo or Ponferrada, Consider perhaps the Camino Inglés starting from Ferro just north of Coruña you have a complete Camino with the Compostela and no apologies need to be offered.

No "apologies" are necessary, regardless where you start. "Where did you start?" is just pilgrims making small talk.

 

[LNsLife]

Look at Gronze.com. If you follow their stages, the farthest you could start from Santiago and finish in 9 days would be Villafranca del Bierzo. It's conceivable to start at Ponferrada, but you might be pushing it a bit.

Camino Francés | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés es el Camino de Santiago en el que confluyen la mayoría de las vías medievales de peregrinación europeas, siendo por tanto el camino de mayor relevancia histórica y el más seguido por los peregrinos. Su punto de inicio, hoy en día, tanto puede considerarse Roncesvalles como...

www.gronze.com

Thanks so much for the web link and your thoughts re Villafranca del Bierzo.

 

[LNsLife]

"Where did you start from" is always among the first questions asked when pilgrims meet. You will find yourself explaining just why Villafranca del Bierzo or Ponferrada, Consider perhaps the Camino Inglés starting from Ferro just north of Coruña you have a complete Camino with the Compostela and no apologies need to be offered.

I appreciate you mentioning Camino Ingles as an alternative. I really am looking at my long-term goal of walking the full CF with "familiar road ahead" at the end. I will think on it more.

 

[LNsLife]

No "apologies" are necessary, regardless where you start. "Where did you start?" is just pilgrims making small talk.

Thanks for this comment. I realize that I may run into those that think my preparations and abbreviated walk "don't count". I'm content with my plans and what I'm able to do now. It's all good

 

[LNsLife]

It kinda depends on how far you can walk each day.

As trecile says, gronze can help.
Also check out the planning tool at godesalco

This is a great site, thanks!

 

[november_moon]

Thanks for this comment. I realize that I may run into those that think my preparations and abbreviated walk "don't count". I'm content with my plans and what I'm able to do now. It's all good

If you run into anyone who thinks that starting where ever you decide to start isn't good enough, just remember - the issue is not with where you started or your Camino, but rather some issue internal to the other person.

That said, once Camino I started in Leon and once I started in Burgos - and I don't remember having any issues with explaining why. People come and go from the Camino all along the routes.